Learn to Sing - II



Overview

This is a practical course for singers who have either attended Learn to Sing I or have some other singing experience. Whilst basic singing technique will be discussed and repertoire explored, the major part of the course will be workshops for student singers - working on vocal techniques and interpretation.

This practical class will concentrate on how to identify ideal interpretation and practising the vocal techniques, such as breath control and natural placement of the voice, to realise that interpretation in performance. 

The practice techniques covered will include choosing repertoire; selecting breathing points and practising phrasing; identifying and resolving technical problems; interpretative issues; programme construction and the development of musical memory. The emphasis of this part of the course will be to give students the knowledge and experience to make the best use of their practice time.

Programme details

Course begins: 28 April 2024

Please note: there will be no class on the 5th and 26th May due to the public bank holidays.

Week 1: Basic Vocal Technique - an overview

Week 2: Repertoire Workshop

Week 3: Vocal preparation of a song - 5-Point Plan

Week 4: Repertoire workshop

Week 5: Finding the meaning - song classification and analysis

Week 6: Repertoire Workshop

Week 7: Repertoire in different styles - applying different vocal techniques

Week 8: Repertoire Workshop

Week 9: Aria Analysis - assessing performance

Week 10: Repertoire Workshop

Digital Certification

Digital badge

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be issued with an official digital badge from the Department for Continuing Education, University of Oxford. After the course, you will receive an email with a link and instructions on how to download your digital badge. You will be able to add your badge to your email signature and share it on social media if you choose to do so. In order to be issued with your badge, you will need to have attended at least 80% of the course.

Fees

Description Costs
Course Fee £310.00

Funding

If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, you are a full-time student in the UK or a student on a low income, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. Please see the below link for full details:

Concessionary fees for short courses

Tutor

Miss Claire Lucas

Claire-Louise Lucas is a professional mezzo-soprano and a part-time music tutor. She lectures on opera and song for Oxford University Department for Continuing Education.  She has lectured on singing in conservatoires and other universities in the UK and the USA.

Claire-Louise has performed extensively throughout Britain, Europe and the USA, including an appearance as a soloist in the Salzburg Easter Festival with Maurizio Pollini and the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra under Claudio Abbado.  Other recent performances include concerts at Gloucester Cathedral; Christ Church Cathedral; Salisbury Cathedral; Southampton University; the Leominster Festival and the Brighton Festival. 

Course aims

To give students the ability to prepare a piece of vocal music for performance from the initial choice of the piece through the technical preparation to the final interpretation.

Course Objectives:

  • To give a basic understanding of vocal technique.
  • To enable a more informed selection of repertoire.
  • To raise awareness of issues regarding interpretation.

Teaching methods

A mixture of lecture and workshop. The tutor will outline each technical topic with live vocal demonstrations and then students will have the opportunity to try the techniques described. Repertoire will be demonstrated either by the use of audio tracks, video/dvd or with live performance. Students will also sing short pieces or extracts from pieces to the class and work on these with the tutor. 

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course students will be expected to:

  • know how to produce their voices correctly;
  • work effectively to identify the interpretation required in a piece;
  • use the vocal techniques they have learnt to realise the interpretation in performance.

Application

Please use the 'Book' or 'Apply' button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an enrolment form (Word) or enrolment form (Pdf).

Level and demands

Students should have some experience of singing, i.e. at school, in a choir, having received singing lessons, or having attended either 'Discover Your Voice' or 'Learn to Sing 1'.

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support