Pure Voice

How will I learn?

Details of the learning and teaching methods for each unit of this module are given within each relevant section.

How will I be assessed?

Details of the assessment methods for each unit of this module are given within each relevant section. The cumulative marks of each unit form the total mark for Expressive Voice which forms 15% of the final mark for the MA.

UNITS OF EXPRESSIVE VOICE:

Tutors: Lloyd Wylde Contact hours: 31.5 Timetable: 1 x 1.5 hr classes a week, Autumn term and Spring term

Outline

This unit aims to develop a free, flexible, centred, connected, grounded voice, that is alive with dynamic and expressive possibility, to serve the variation of textual styles and contexts of delivery, you may work in. Beginning with exploration of habitual voice, habitual body and habitual breath, you will explore the release of inhibitive tensions, which will open up body and breath awakening your vocal potential. The acquisition and development of technical vocal exercises grounded in anatomical and psychophysical knowledge aim to connect you with your individual sound opening the dynamics of resonance, pitch and diction to imaginative vocal expression. The methodologies of Barbara Houseman, Kristin Linklater, Patsy Rodenburg, Catherine Fitzmaurice and Cicely Beery amongst others, will be explored.

What will I be expected to achieve?

On successful completion of the module you will be expected to be able to:

Skills

• Acknowledge and release habitual psychophysical tensions. • Work with a fully connected, free resonant, forward placed and responsive voice. • Work with vocal stamina and consistency. • Engage in precise, flexible, muscular, dynamic articulation/ diction. • Demonstrate the sophisticated use of dynamic, imaginatively applied taught vocal skills, to communicate through various forms, structures and genres of language. • Demonstrate the aptitude of fulfilling the demands of vocal use while working on stage, film and TV.

Knowledge and understanding • Understand how your physical and vocal habits impact on your voice and speech • Have an academic understanding of vocal anatomy and physiology.

• Understand and value the importance of working with physical ease and to allow impulsive vocal response and the development of nuance. • Fully appreciate the theory and practice of healthy vocal use. • Appreciate and integrate the work of contemporary vocal practitioners into your own practice

Values and Attitudes • Have confidence in your voice as an immediate, sensitive and powerful means of expression. • Work with trust, generosity, openness and resilience as a collaborative performer within an inclusive ensemble • Value the working environment as a professional space in which you may work playfully and freely to take creative risks • Discover autonomy over your process so that you may apply yourself independently to explore creativity, rigour, adaptability and specificity within your work

How will I learn?

Much of this unit is taught within a workshop environment to facilitate the maximum amount of individual experiential learning as possible. Within this you may work individually, in pairs or small groups, or within the larger ensemble. You will develop your learning through individual participation as well as peer observation and analysis. You will also take part in group discussions of research, observations and connections to previous work.

How will I be assessed?

The assessment within this unit is based on your engagement with process as opposed to assessment of a specific performance. You will be formatively assessed throughout the module in relation to the assessment criteria for the module. There may be more informal sharing of process within the group which may contribute to the assessment process. The mark awarded for Pure Voice forms 35% of the mark for Voice module.

What will the assessors be looking for? • Engaging with commitment to the development and acquisition of technical skills • Evidence of addressing of habitual tensions. • Demonstration of physical grounding and alignment • Ownership of a free, flexible, connected breath. • Ability to vocally engage with appropriate vocal onset. • Ability to work with ease from a connected optimal voice. • Ownership of a dynamic and nuanced, connected resonant release. • Demonstrate dynamic and connected use of pitch. • Ownership of clear, flexible and muscular articulation/diction. • Ability to confidently work in a variety of acoustic environments.