Voice 1

Subject DRAM10002 (2011)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2011.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 1 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2011:

Year Long, Southbank - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 6 hours per week all year
Total Time Commitment: 144 hours
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites:

None

Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements: For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.
The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Contact

Faculty of the VCA and Music Student Centre
Email: vcam-info@unimelb.edu.au
Tel: +61 3 9685 9419
Fax: +61 3 9685 9358
Web: www.vcam.unimelb.edu.au
Subject Overview:

Voice is a physical activity, and as such, initial work is organised around a foundation of work that allows the individual to discover interdependence of voice and body. The focus of the work lies in addressing idiosyncratic habits which may inhibit the speaking actor. The subject will include a selection from the following: physical awareness of breath in the body, muscularity, resonance, active listening, sight-reading, basic speech structures, kinaesthetic awareness of voice and language and meaning in the moment of speaking through storytelling and, approach to phonetics. Students will be expected to draw upon their experiences of awareness through movement activities such as Feldenkrais, and Alexander Technique in order to facilitate the interdependence of voice and body. There will also be some combined voice/movement classes to enhance this process.

Objectives:

On completion of this subject students should be able to

  • identify idiosyncratic, habituated vocal patterns;
  • work towards freedom from these restrictions;
  • develop and strengthen spinal support in order to free the breathing process;
  • connect breath and movement and sound;
  • centre the natural voice by creating a physical awareness of sound;
  • extend the natural breathing process to meet the requirements of the actor;
  • understand how the voice works and to take responsibility for one's own voice;
  • demonstrate fluency and familiarity with texts;
  • apply points and processes raised in tutorial to class and performance work;
  • work with focus, energy and responsibilty in class.
Assessment:

Assessment is based upon class participation, level of preparation, and the degree to which the stated outcomes have been achieved. Progressive class assessment (70%); class assignments (20%); application of class work to rehearsal and performance (10%)

Prescribed Texts: None
Recommended Texts:

None

Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

On completion of this subject students should have acquired the following skills
• A facility with voice processes
• The capacity for kinaesthetic awareness
• The capacity to apply points and processes raised in tutorial to class and performance work;
• The capacity to work with focus, energy and responsibility in class.
• The capacity to synthesise data and evaluate information
• The capacity for imaginative, transformative and interpretive activity
• The capacity for mental, vocal, physical and emotional rigour in application to tasks.
• The capacity to work with unconditional positive regard for self and others
• The capacity to utilise an internal evaluative mechanism
• The capacity to give and receive informed feedback
• The capacity to develop a work methodology
• The capacity to participate effectively in collaborative learning as a team member, whilst respecting individual differences
• The capacity to engage in productive self directed learning and research
• The ability to perform
• The capacity to use problem solving skills
• The capacity to transfer skills into practice
• The capacity to translate theory into practice

Related Course(s): Bachelor of Dramatic Art (VCA)

Download PDF version.