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Course Syllabus

MUSC 3250 Contemporary Vocal Styles

  • Division: Fine Arts, Comm, and New Media
  • Department: Music
  • Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 2; Lecture: 2; Lab: 0
  • Prerequisites: Completion of MUSC 2120 and 2140 with a grade of C or better OR permission of instructor.
  • Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
  • Semester Approved: Spring 2026
  • Five-Year Review Semester: Fall 2030
  • End Semester: Fall 2031
  • Optimum Class Size: 12
  • Maximum Class Size: 20

Course Description

This course is an elective in the Bachelor of Music degree in Commercial Music. It is designed to give vocalists the opportunity to learn about a wide variety of vocal techniques, including contemporary commercial music, blues, jazz, country and rock styles. It will focus on the technique, expression and physiology of these styles.

Justification

NASM accredited music schools must offer a variety of electives catered to a variety of disciplines. Contemporary vocalists are asked to produce a wide range of sounds and styles in both stage and studio situations. Understanding the history, physiology and vocal techniques required of these vocal styles is an important step for the singer looking to implement them into his/her performance. This course gives students the opportunity to experiment with stylistic types that may be challenging to them while listening to others who are masters of the style. Similar classes are taught in most Commercial Music degree programs.

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Upon successful completion of this course students will demonstrate an understanding of the physiological differences that exist in the vocal production of various vocal styles.
  2. Upon successful completion of this course students will demonstrate versatility in vocal resonance.
  3. Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to articulate the historical and cultural contexts from which contemporary stylistic innovations developed
  4. Upon successful completion of this course students will demonstrate emerging ability to sing in the following vocal styles: blues, jazz, gospel, country, cock, contemporary pop, and music theater.
  5. Upon successful completion of this course students will demonstrate active listening skills: the ability to isolate and describe discrete details that constitute expressive practices and idiomatic vocal production in various styles.

Course Content

Examples of knowledge and skill areas that may be taught in this course include:
• Historical evolution of contemporary vocal styles
• Cultural contributions of diverse populations
• Stylistic exploration of vocal production tactics
• Improvisational styles
• Vocal Registration, mixing and belting
• Impacts of amplification
• Mic technique
• Sustainable technique