School: Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

Please note that given the circumstances of COVID-19, there may be some modifications to the assessment schedule promoted in Handbook for Semester 1 2020 Units. Students will be notified of all approved modifications by Unit Coordinators via email and Unit Blackboard sites. Where changes have been made, these are designed to ensure that you still meet the unit learning outcomes in the context of our adjusted teaching and learning arrangements.

  • Unit Title

    Discovering the Performer's Voice
  • Unit Code

    ACT1004
  • Year

    2020
  • Enrolment Period

    1
  • Version

    2
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
  • Unit Coordinator

    Ms Jean Fraces GOODWIN

Description

This unit examines the fundamental skills required for the development of voice, speech, and singing for the professional actor. Students learn efficient vocal use, and how to develop breath support, body alignment, resonance and articulation. They will increase their proficiency in sight reading, the imaginative use of language and group and solo singing. On completion of this unit the student will be able to apply a basic understanding of vocal production in a variety of acoustic environments. They will understand vocal health, and basic vocal anatomy and physiology.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Accurately match pitch and maintain simple rhythmic patterns when singing.
  2. Analyse the structure of language in texts in preparation for rehearsal and demonstrate an understanding of text in rehearsal and performance.
  3. Identify and adapt idiosyncratic habitual vocal use.
  4. Understand basic vocal physiology and anatomy.
  5. Use voice efficiently and flexibly in different acoustic environments incorporating effective alignment, breath support, vibration, resonance and articulation.

Unit Content

  1. Breath, alignment, vibration, resonance and articulation.
  2. Direct audience address.
  3. Group / choral singing.
  4. Physiology and anatomy of vocal production.
  5. Sight reading.
  6. Spoken choral text and political speech.
  7. The structure of language.
  8. Vocal health.

Learning Experience

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECU Blackboard.

JoondalupMount LawleySouth West (Bunbury)
Semester 1Not Offered13 x 3 hour ensemblesNot Offered

For more information see the Semester Timetable

Additional Learning Experience Information

Studio based voice and singing classes, Group classes and individual tutorials, Intensive week long workshop, Small group activities, pair work and solo exercises, Different acoustic environments will be utilised, Video recording for critical analysis and self reflection, Debriefing, feedback and class discussions, Self study with regard to alignment and breath, Specialist lecturers in singing.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
Portfolio ^Documented classwork and personal reflections on learning process20%
Presentation ^In class performance of a chorus text and a group singing task20%
Essay ^1000 word essay on vocal practice20%
Presentation ^In class performance of a political speech and a group protest song30%

^ Mandatory to Pass

Core Reading(s)

  • Houseman, B. (2002). Finding your voice : a step-by-step guide for actors. (New York). London: Routledge. Retrieved from https://ecu.on.worldcat.org/oclc/48486164?databaseList=638
  • Rodenburg, P. (2012). The right to speak : working with the voice. (pp. 1–321). Hoboken: Taylor and Francis. Retrieved from https://ecu.on.worldcat.org/oclc/821176258

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

ACT1004|2|1

School: Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

Please note that given the circumstances of COVID-19, there may be some modifications to the assessment schedule promoted in Handbook for this unit. All assessment changes will be published by 27 July 2020. All students are reminded to check handbook at the beginning of semester to ensure they have the correct outline.

  • Unit Title

    Discovering the Performer's Voice
  • Unit Code

    ACT1004
  • Year

    2020
  • Enrolment Period

    2
  • Version

    2
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
  • Unit Coordinator

    Ms Jean Fraces GOODWIN

Description

This unit examines the fundamental skills required for the development of voice, speech, and singing for the professional actor. Students learn efficient vocal use, and how to develop breath support, body alignment, resonance and articulation. They will increase their proficiency in sight reading, the imaginative use of language and group and solo singing. On completion of this unit the student will be able to apply a basic understanding of vocal production in a variety of acoustic environments. They will understand vocal health, and basic vocal anatomy and physiology.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Accurately match pitch and maintain simple rhythmic patterns when singing.
  2. Analyse the structure of language in texts in preparation for rehearsal and demonstrate an understanding of text in rehearsal and performance.
  3. Identify and adapt idiosyncratic habitual vocal use.
  4. Understand basic vocal physiology and anatomy.
  5. Use voice efficiently and flexibly in different acoustic environments incorporating effective alignment, breath support, vibration, resonance and articulation.

Unit Content

  1. Breath, alignment, vibration, resonance and articulation.
  2. Direct audience address.
  3. Group / choral singing.
  4. Physiology and anatomy of vocal production.
  5. Sight reading.
  6. Spoken choral text and political speech.
  7. The structure of language.
  8. Vocal health.

Learning Experience

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECU Blackboard.

JoondalupMount LawleySouth West (Bunbury)
Semester 1Not Offered13 x 3 hour ensemblesNot Offered

For more information see the Semester Timetable

Additional Learning Experience Information

Studio based voice and singing classes, Group classes and individual tutorials, Intensive week long workshop, Small group activities, pair work and solo exercises, Different acoustic environments will be utilised, Video recording for critical analysis and self reflection, Debriefing, feedback and class discussions, Self study with regard to alignment and breath, Specialist lecturers in singing.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
Portfolio ^Documented classwork and personal reflections on learning process20%
Presentation ^In class performance of a chorus text and a group singing task20%
Essay ^1000 word essay on vocal practice20%
Presentation ^In class performance of a political speech and a group protest song30%

^ Mandatory to Pass

Core Reading(s)

  • Houseman, B. (2002). Finding your voice : a step-by-step guide for actors. (New York). London: Routledge. Retrieved from https://ecu.on.worldcat.org/oclc/48486164?databaseList=638
  • Rodenburg, P. (2012). The right to speak : working with the voice. (pp. 1–321). Hoboken: Taylor and Francis. Retrieved from https://ecu.on.worldcat.org/oclc/821176258

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

ACT1004|2|2