Class Voice

Class Voice: Fundamental Skills for Lifelong Singing is a unique undergraduate textbook which can be adapted to needs of any potential voice user, including music education students, voice students who are not majoring in music, and adult learners. By explaining the basics of singing using practical skills and examples, this text is accessible to students with a wide range of talents, interests, and expertise levels. With chapters devoted to skills for singing solo and in groups, instructors can tailor the included materials to encourage students to become thoroughly familiar with their own voices and to identify and appreciate the gifts of others.

Learning to sing is a process of trial and error. The warm-ups and other in-class performance opportunities contained in this textbook can raise student confidence and minimize anxiety. The chapters about age and size-appropriate repertoire and issues of vocal health provide vital information about preserving the vocal instrument for a lifetime of singing.

Key Features

Warm-up and cool-down exercise routines, including strategies for relaxing and breath management
Repertoire topics divided by language and genre and suggestions about how to use the repertoire to develop specific skills
Issues of diversity, gender, and inclusivity covered in Chapter 9 entitled “The Singing Life”
Suggestions for comparative listening and questions for discussion to encourage deeper learning
Adaptable materials which can be tailored to fit interests in choral music, musical theater, folksong, as well as Classical vocal repertoire
Assignments, evaluation criteria, and assessment forms for midterm and final presentations
A glossary of key terms
A bibliography with resources for research and learning
Information on basic musicianship skill training for those who need it