Instructor: Madeleine LaFollette

Email: lafollettemp@lamarpa.edu

Phone: 409-984-6524

Office Hours: TBA or by appointment

Additional Contact Information: n/a

Introduction to Speech Level Singing philosophy and technique with goals related to commercial voice. Emphasizes sight singing and harmony singing applicable to commercial background singing. 

Recommended textbook: Your Voice: the Basics by Scott McCoy, Inside View Press, 2016 Printed sheet music and karaoke recordings of songs and arias that can be found online, for free or at an affordable price at libraries, and bookstores. This book is recommended, not mandatory. 

Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.

Note taking materials (paper, pencil, pen, etc.), blooket.com, Blackboard access, LSCPA email, Office 365 access, staff paper 

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1. Implement physiology techniques related to singing (i.e., vocal cords, diaphragm, and "resonance system"); 

2. identify terminology related to Speech Level Singing; 

3. and demonstrate Speech Level Singing. Demonstrate sight singing and chart reading; 

4. demonstrate ear training associated to intervals up to one octave; 

5. demonstrate harmony singing related to background vocals; 

6. and demonstrate basic concepts of stage presence and image through critiquing live band performances. 

Students will demonstrate comprehension of the basics of vocal technique reading material. Identifies all main ideas, supporting details, and vocabulary in reading material; demonstrates a full understanding of the reading (PSLO 1)   

Students will acquire a basic understanding of vocal health and hygiene applicable to many different styles of singing. (PSLO 2)   

Students will acquire communicative and expressive skills applicable to their own voices. (PSLO 2,4,5)   

Students will develop a professional, disciplined approach to vocal performance skills (PSLO 2,4,5)   

Students will acquire basic harmony singing applicable to commercial background singing. (PSLO 1, 2, 4,5) 

Lecture topics are determined on an individual basis and may encompass subjects such as vocal anatomy and health, warm-ups and vocalises, music theory, repertoire selection, or other relevant and appropriate topics. 

All students are required to complete a Midterm Jury/Conference and a Final Jury. Small assignments such as journals, practice logs, videos, and essays may also be assigned throughout the semester. 

Midterm Jury: Week 8 (October 12-16) during regular individual lesson time in Ms. LaFollette’s office (PAC 126). 

Final Jury: TBD in Theater 

The Final Exam consists of a Jury presented to a panel of music faculty. Students must present all Jury repertoire from memory with a live piano accompanist. 

Final Jury Date: TBD in Theater 

90 - 100 = A    80 - 89 = B    70 - 79 = C    60 - 69 = D    Below 59 = F 

Lesson Preparation- 30%

Homework, Quizzes, Rehearsals- 20%

Midterm Jury and Conference- 15%

Final Jury- 25%

Attendance- 10%

The contents of this syllabus (schedule, major assignments, instructor policies, etc.) are subject to change at the instructor’s discretion. 

Lesson Preparation: Students are expected to be prepared for all voice lessons. This includes warming up before their lessons , practicing their repertoire daily, memorizing their repertoire, and completing the Repertoire Research Worksheets. If a student is unprepared for their lesson, they will not receive full lesson credit. 

Accompanist Rehearsals: A professional piano accompanist will periodically visit campus to rehearse with voice students (schedule TBD). If a student signs up for a rehearsal time, they are expected to arrive EARLY and PREPARED. Failure to arrive to rehearsals on time and prepared will result in a Homework, Quizzes, and Rehearsals Grade of zero (0). 

Academic Dishonesty: Academic dishonesty is never tolerated in this or any course. Students are always expected to submit original work and cite all outside sources. The instructor may use Blackboard tools such as SafeAssign and Respondus to ensure student work is authentic and original. Failure to maintain academic integrity may result in a zero grade or course failure. 

Artificial Intelligence: The use of Artificial Intelligence tools (ex. ChatGPT, Gemini, Grammarly, etc.) for exams, essays, homework, quizzes, or listening journals is strictly prohibited unless explicitly stated by the instructor. Unauthorized use will be treated as academic dishonesty and may result in a zero for the assignment or failure of the course. If AI use is suspected, the instructor will assign a temporary zero and contact the student via email, Blackboard, or in person to schedule a meeting. During this meeting, the coursework will be reviewed and appropriate action determined. 

Absences and Late Arrivals: Voice lessons begin promptly at the start time. Students are expected to arrive to the Performing Arts Center at least 15 minutes before their lesson, to warm up in a practice room, and to knock on Ms. LaFollette’s office door at their lesson time. If a student knows that they will be late or absent, they must notify Ms. LaFollette via call/text (304-290-4260) or email (lafollettemp@lamarpa.edu). If a student arrives 5 minutes late or departs 5 minutes early, they will receive half attendance credit for the lesson. Two late arrivals/early departures will culminate in a full absence. If a student arrives more than 20 minutes late to their lesson, they will receive a zero for their lesson, a zero for attendance, and will not receive an opportunity to make up their lesson. 

Any student who accumulates more than 3 unexcused absences will automatically receive a failing final lesson grade (F). An absence is only excused if a student presents a valid medical excuse or experiences a severe emergency.  

If a student misses a lesson and wants to make it up for credit, they must schedule a make-up lesson with Ms. LaFollette AND complete a scholarly article reading and summary assignment. This is applicable if a student is sick or experiences a minor issue and must miss their lesson. 

Technology and Electronics: Voice students are encouraged to electronically voice/video record their voice lessons for practice purposes. Students are not permitted to use their electronic devices for activities other than voice/video recording during in-person lessons. Failure to abide by proper electronic device etiquette as dictated by this syllabus will result in a grade of zero (0) for the lesson.  

Grades and Late Work: All grades are posted in Blackboard. Students must meet with the instructor to discuss grades and grading policies. All work must be submitted on time. Late work will be subject to a 5% grade reduction after one day and a 10% grade reduction for every day after. (For example, if an assignment with a grade of 100% is submitted one day late, the grade would be reduced to a 95%. If the same assignment is submitted two days late, the grade would be reduced to an 85%. After three days, the grade would be a 75%.) The instructor will not accept any work turned in more than one week (7 days) late. Any work submitted more than one week (7 days) late will receive a zero. Submission extensions may be granted in extreme circumstances and must be discussed with the instructor. 

Voice lessons begin promptly at the start time. Students are expected to arrive to the Performing Arts Center at least 15 minutes before their lesson, to warm up in a practice room, and to knock on Ms. LaFollette’s office door at their lesson time. If a student knows that they will be late or absent, they must notify Ms. LaFollette via call/text (304-290-4260) or email (lafollettemp@lamarpa.edu). If a student arrives 5 minutes late or departs 5 minutes early, they will receive half attendance credit for the lesson. Two late arrivals/early departures will culminate in a full absence. If a student arrives more than 20 minutes late to their lesson, they will receive a zero for their lesson, a zero for attendance, and will not receive an opportunity to make up their lesson. 

Any student who accumulates more than 3 unexcused absences will automatically receive a failing final lesson grade (F). An absence is only excused if a student presents a valid medical excuse or experiences a severe emergency.  

If a student misses a lesson and wants to make it up for credit, they must schedule a make-up lesson with Ms. LaFollette AND complete a scholarly article reading and summary assignment. This is applicable if a student is sick or experiences a minor issue and must miss their lesson. 

Students are encouraged to utilize the resources provided by LSCPA Student Services (https://www.lamarpa.edu/student-services/index.html) such as tutoring, counseling, career coaching, and The Nest. Students may also choose to use TimelyCare- Medical and Mental Health Support and Tutor.com (both links located in Blackboard, some restrictions may apply).  

Be sure to check your campus email and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal. You can also access your grades, transcripts, academic advisors, degree progress, and other services through MyLSCPA.

Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSCPA policies (Academic Dishonesty section in the Student Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Accessibility Services Coordinator, Room 119, in the Ruby Fuller Building. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.

No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.

This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.

As per Texas law and LSCPA policy, all LSCPA employees, including faculty, are required to report allegations or disclosures of child abuse or neglect to the designated authorities, which may include a local or state law enforcement agency or the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. For more information about mandatory reporting requirements, see LSCPA's Policy and Procedure Manual.

LSCPA is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment that is free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct. All LSCPA employees, including faculty, have the responsibility to report disclosures of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault (including rape and acquaintance rape), domestic violence, dating violence, relationship violence, or stalking, to LSCPA's Title IX Coordinator, whose role is to coordinate the college's response to sexual misconduct. For more information about Title IX protections, faculty reporting responsibilities, options for confidential reporting, and the resources available for support visit LSCPA's Title IX website.

For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website.

If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair.