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.

  • Unit Title

    Discovering the Performer's Voice
  • Unit Code

    ACT1004
  • Year

    2024
  • Enrolment Period

    1
  • Version

    2
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
  • Unit Coordinator

    Ms Jean 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's LMS

JoondalupMount LawleySouth West (Bunbury)
Semester 1Not Offered8 x 1.5 hour practical classNot Offered
Semester 1Not Offered15 x 3 hour studioNot 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 School Progression Panel.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
Presentation ^In class performance of a chorus text and a group singing task40%
Performance ^In class performance of a political speech and a group protest song60%

^ Mandatory to Pass


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.

Assessment

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. Informal vivas may be conducted as part of an assessment task, where staff require further information to confirm the learning outcomes have been met. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant School Progression Panel.

Academic Integrity

Integrity is a core value at Edith Cowan University, and it is expected that ECU students complete their assessment tasks honestly and with acknowledgement of other people's work as well as any generative artificial intelligence tools that may have been used. This means that assessment tasks must be completed individually (unless it is an authorised group assessment task) and any sources used must be referenced.

Breaches of academic integrity can include:

Plagiarism

Copying the words, ideas or creative works of other people or generative artificial intelligence tools, without referencing in accordance with stated University requirements. Students need to seek approval from the Unit Coordinator within the first week of study if they intend to use some of their previous work in an assessment task (self-plagiarism).

Unauthorised collaboration (collusion)

Working with other students and submitting the same or substantially similar work or portions of work when an individual submission was required. This includes students knowingly providing others with copies of their own work to use in the same or similar assessment task(s).

Contract cheating

Organising a friend, a family member, another student or an external person or organisation (e.g. through an online website) to complete or substantially edit or refine part or all of an assessment task(s) on their behalf.

Cheating in an exam

Using or having access to unauthorised materials in an exam or test.

Serious outcomes may be imposed if a student is found to have committed one of these breaches, up to and including expulsion from the University for repeated or serious acts.

ECU's policies and more information about academic integrity can be found on the student academic integrity website.

All commencing ECU students are required to complete the Academic Integrity Module.

Assessment Extension

In some circumstances, Students may apply to their Unit Coordinator to extend the due date of their Assessment Task(s) in accordance with ECU's Assessment, Examination and Moderation Procedures - for more information visit https://askus2.ecu.edu.au/s/article/000001386.

Special Consideration

Students may apply for Special Consideration in respect of a final unit grade, where their achievement was affected by Exceptional Circumstances as set out in the Assessment, Examination and Moderation Procedures - for more information visit https://askus2.ecu.edu.au/s/article/000003318.

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.

  • Unit Title

    Discovering the Performer's Voice
  • Unit Code

    ACT1004
  • Year

    2024
  • Enrolment Period

    2
  • Version

    2
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
  • Unit Coordinator

    Ms Jean 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's LMS

JoondalupMount LawleySouth West (Bunbury)
Semester 1Not Offered8 x 1.5 hour practical classNot Offered
Semester 1Not Offered15 x 3 hour studioNot 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 School Progression Panel.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
Presentation ^In class performance of a chorus text and a group singing task40%
Performance ^In class performance of a political speech and a group protest song60%

^ Mandatory to Pass


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.

Assessment

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. Informal vivas may be conducted as part of an assessment task, where staff require further information to confirm the learning outcomes have been met. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant School Progression Panel.

Academic Integrity

Integrity is a core value at Edith Cowan University, and it is expected that ECU students complete their assessment tasks honestly and with acknowledgement of other people's work as well as any generative artificial intelligence tools that may have been used. This means that assessment tasks must be completed individually (unless it is an authorised group assessment task) and any sources used must be referenced.

Breaches of academic integrity can include:

Plagiarism

Copying the words, ideas or creative works of other people or generative artificial intelligence tools, without referencing in accordance with stated University requirements. Students need to seek approval from the Unit Coordinator within the first week of study if they intend to use some of their previous work in an assessment task (self-plagiarism).

Unauthorised collaboration (collusion)

Working with other students and submitting the same or substantially similar work or portions of work when an individual submission was required. This includes students knowingly providing others with copies of their own work to use in the same or similar assessment task(s).

Contract cheating

Organising a friend, a family member, another student or an external person or organisation (e.g. through an online website) to complete or substantially edit or refine part or all of an assessment task(s) on their behalf.

Cheating in an exam

Using or having access to unauthorised materials in an exam or test.

Serious outcomes may be imposed if a student is found to have committed one of these breaches, up to and including expulsion from the University for repeated or serious acts.

ECU's policies and more information about academic integrity can be found on the student academic integrity website.

All commencing ECU students are required to complete the Academic Integrity Module.

Assessment Extension

In some circumstances, Students may apply to their Unit Coordinator to extend the due date of their Assessment Task(s) in accordance with ECU's Assessment, Examination and Moderation Procedures - for more information visit https://askus2.ecu.edu.au/s/article/000001386.

Special Consideration

Students may apply for Special Consideration in respect of a final unit grade, where their achievement was affected by Exceptional Circumstances as set out in the Assessment, Examination and Moderation Procedures - for more information visit https://askus2.ecu.edu.au/s/article/000003318.

ACT1004|2|2