BTEC Extended Diploma in Performing Arts

SINGING FOR ACTORS

& DANCERS
Music Performance
Techniques
WORKSHOP HANDBOOK
 SINGING FOR ACTORS
& DANCERS
Music Performance
Techniques
Introduction to the Workshop
Singing is an important addition to the set of skills required by actors and dancers. Many
roles require actors and dancers to sing as part of their performance work. Whilst some
actors and dancers may not consider themselves to be musicians, it is possible for
everyone to develop their musicality and find their own singing voice.

This workshop will give you a greater awareness of how to make the most of your voice
both as a singer and a general performer. Through a variety of exercises you will learn to
use your voice safely and effectively to convey narrative and characterisation through
song, as part of an ensemble and also as a soloist. You will also have the opportunity to
explore ways in which to combine singing with movement, drama and physical theatre.

Whilst focusing on Musical Theatre as a background for vocal technique, we will also be
exploring different genres of music from popular songs and ballads through to more
classical choral works. You will learn some new songs and also be able to incorporate
your own choices of music to create original performances.

The ears are the musicians most important tool and therefore the workshop will also
focus on developing your aural awareness and listening skills. You will also learn how to
follow different types of musical notation which will help to prepare you for the working
world.

Overall this workshop will help you to develop confidence in your own voice as a soloist
and member of an ensemble. As well as being assessed on your singing and aural skills
you will also be expected to display a professional level of focus in rehearsal and
performance environments.

Learning Outcomes:
On completion of this workshop you should:

Be able to develop and maintain vocal technique

Know effective vocal techniques through a structured practice routine
Be able to learn and repeat musical phrases
Be able to rehearse sung musical material
Be able to perform sung musical material using characterization
Be able to apply effective vocal technique in solo and group performance
 SINGING FOR ACTORS
& DANCERS

Workshops - Part 1 GROUP SONGS

From Sept-Feb half term we will be focusing on developing your basic vocal techniques
and aural awareness via a warm up routine, exercises and activities.

We will be looking at the purposes of song, and how these purposes can be achieved
most effectively in vocal performance.

We will also begin to build a repertoire of ensemble pieces as a choir and small groups
which may include some of the following:

UPDATE THESE SONGS! Poker Face/Bad Romance Mash Up

Summer Loving Grease Brave Sara Bareilles
Tell Me Its Not True Blood Brothers Rather Be Clean Bandit
Run Snow Patrol/Leona Lewis Break Even The Script
Count On Me Bruno Mars Dont You Worry Child Swedish House
Fix You - Coldplay Mafia
When I Retire Paperwork! Sit Down, Youre Rocking The Boat Guys &
The Rhythm of Life Sweet Charity Dolls
Seasons of Love Rent Make You Feel My Love Bob Dylan/Adele
Steal Away Traditional Song Dont Leave Faithless
At The End of the Day Les Miserables One A Chorus Line

You may also have some ideas of ensemble songs that we could learn if so please write
them in here and suggest them:

To help best prepare you for industry practices we will learn these songs using a variety
of different methods including:

Learning by ear
From lyrics only
Vocal score
Lead sheet
For performance purposes you will be expected to memorise both music and lyrics, so
listening to different recordings of the songs as much as possible will make this a lot
easier.
 SINGING FOR ACTORS
& DANCERS
Workshops - Part 2 Developing Your Solo Voice
Throughout both terms you will each have a
number of 1 to 1 vocal tutorials with your
tutor to assess your progress and discuss
your solo singing choices for your final
performance.

From Oct-Feb whilst we continue to build

our ensemble repertoire we will also be
working on providing everybody with the
opportunity to sing a solo.

Your tutor will work with you to find

suitable songs that will bring out the best in
your individual voice to enable you to
produce the most high quality performance. We wont throw you in at the deep end and
will build your confidence over a number of weeks and months.

You will be given the opportunity to practice performing in a variety of settings, firstly to
your classmates and then building up to a public audience.

We hope to be able to provide you also with tuition from vocal specialists who will be
visiting to run workshops to develop both your ensemble and solo skills.

You will be assessed on at least one solo performance during the two
terms.

Target Setting and Progress

You will have a blog set up on Sharepoint to record your individual and group targets for
this part of your course. Read the notes below on how to complete these effectively as
they will form part of the evidence for your assessment.

You can also use these also to write down any queries you have for your tutor or creative
ideas for the workshops and performances.

You must update your blog at least ONCE a week giving evidence of what youve done
and the progress you have made.
Your blog will explain the practice sessions in class and your own personal practice. It
will identify and address any technical, musical and confidence aspects of your
performance. Your blog should include pictures and videos as well as text.
 SINGING FOR
ACTORS & DANCERS
Assessment
Assessment for this workshop will be in three areas:

1.Vocal Tutorial Assessment

In 1 to 1 tutorials with your tutor you will be assessed on your knowledge and
application of warm up exercises, aural skills, posture and vocal technique. Your
assessment will be via tutor observations and video evidence.

You will be assessed according to the following criteria:

Pass Merit Distinction

P1 perform technical
exercises
P2 show improvement in
vocal technique
P3 sing back musical
phrases
M1 perform technical
exercises competently
M2 show marked
improvement in vocal
technique
M3 sing back musical
phrases demonstrating a
good ear for pitch and
rhythm
D1 perform technical
exercises with confidence and
attention to detail
D2 show considerable
improvement in vocal
technique
D3 sing back musical
phrases accurately and
confidently

2.Professional Practice
It is essential that you show a level of professionalism in all aspects of this workshop. As
such your tutor will assess you on your:

Punctuality, commitment and attendance

Preparation (including research, personal practice and familiarisation with
material)
Level of focus in rehearsals
Application of musical direction
Ability to work as part of an effective team
Constructive evaluative peer feedback

You will be assessed according to the following criteria:

Pass Merit Distinction

P4 take part in rehearsals of M4 take part in rehearsals D4 take part in rehearsals
musical material of musical material of musical material
responding to direction responding to direction and
appropriately working with confidence
and attention to detail
 3. Performance (Ensemble and Solo)
At various points in both terms you will be expected to take part in final performances of
what you have been rehearsing in lessons and showcasing your vocal skills.

The nature of this performance will be

devised by the class under the guidance
of your tutor, however each student will
be expected to sing (as a minimum):

2 ensemble pieces
1 solo piece

Within this performance you will be

expected to show:

musical accuracy and correct application of vocal technique

appropriate musical interpretation for the style and lyrical content
good quality tone and accurate intonation
musicality
confidence
emotional engagement with the musical material
effective communication with other performers and audience

You will be assessed according to the following criteria:

Pass Merit Distinction

P4 take part in rehearsals of M4 take part in rehearsals
musical material of musical material
responding to direction
appropriately
D4 take part in rehearsals
of musical material
responding to direction and
working with confidence
and attention to detail

P5 perform sung musical M5 perform sung musical D5 perform sung musical

material in character using material in character with material in character with
physical and vocal confident use of physical imaginative and inventive
expression. and vocal expression. use of physical and vocal
expression.
 SINGING FOR ACTORS
& DANCERS
COMPLETING YOUR VOCAL BLOG
USE THIS SHEET AS A PROMPT TO HELP YOU FILL OUT YOUR BLOG!

Nature of session: Was the session a 1-to-1 with your tutor?

A group workshop or rehearsal?
A performance?
Write down the song you were learning.
Targets: How do you rate your confidence as a soloist/ensemble singer?
How do you think you can improve this?
What aspects of singing technique are you going to think about in this session
could be to do with:

confidence in ensemble or solo singing

posture
breath control
voice placement
diction
chest or head voice
characterization
moving whilst singing
tuning
emotional engagement
characterization
learning a new style of music or song

Try to pick two or three of these things to concentrate on per session. For a
higher grade, write down HOW you hope to improve in these aspects (ie
more focus, practice, repetition, group rehearsal, discussion)

Achievements: What were the positive aspects of your session today could be to do with:
learning a new style of music or song
remembering lyrics or vocal melodies
posture and technique
remembering your groups part
moving whilst singing
developing a character
singing as a smaller group or trying a solo
just feeling more confident
Were these things a surprise to you or did you apply an aspect of technique
and found that it worked?
Challenges: What did you find most difficult?

learning an individual musical line

singing higher/lower than you are comfortable with
fitting in the lyrics
getting used to a certain style
the emotional content of the song
not being distracted
remembering all the aspects of vocal technique
moving whilst singing
staying focused
working in a small group

Why do you think this was difficult today?

Actions to take
away: What could you do to help things for next time?
How can you overcome the more challenging parts of todays session?

which exercises or parts of your vocal technique could you practice or

improve on at home?
listen to a new song
developing a more positive inner dialogue
learn some lyrics
try singing in front of people
finding music you can connect with
doing some research into the music we have covered
talk to your singing teacher about.
 SINGING FOR ACTORS
& DANCERS
VOCAL JOURNAL
Student Name:

Date:

Nature of session:
(1-to-1/Group
workshop/Rehearsal/
Performance)
Targets:
(group and individual)

Achievements:

Challenges:

Actions to take away:

Suffolk One
Applied Learning Qualifications
Activity and assignment task assessment sheet

Course BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Performing Arts

Assessment title/ref Singing for Actors and Dancers

Unit no./title 30 Singing for Actors and Dancers
1 Be able to develop and maintain vocal technique
2 Be able to learn and repeat musical phrases
Learning outcomes assessed
3 Be able to rehearse sung musical material
4 Be able to perform sung musical material using characterisation.
Assessment set by LHI
Assessment IV GEV
Assessment assessor LHI

Launch date 28th September 2017 Submission

Performance Studio
Submission date 01/03/17 location

The purpose of this assignment is to:

Develop musicality, aural and singing skills within a series of practical ensemble and solo vocal workshops and
performances.

Scenario:
You are a performance company who are developing a stylistically varied singing repertoire as a group and solo
performers. You will develop your vocal technique and musicality under the direction of your musical director (tutor)
in a professional rehearsal setting. As a group, you will devise and perform an event which will showcase the vocal
skills you have acquired.

Task 1: Vocal Tutorial Assessment

Criteria: Unit 30: P1, M1, D1 P2, M2, D2 P3, M3, D3
Evidence: Observation sheet by tutor, Blog on Sharepoint

You will take part in 1 to 1 vocal tutorials with your tutor to assess your levels of improvement in the basic
areas of vocal technique and aural awareness learned in ensemble workshops.
You will undertake a final assessment in February showcasing your ability to sing back melodies.
You will choose and practise appropriate solo musical material, showing attention to detail and application
of musical direction
You will record individual targets and progress within your blog each week. Your blog will explain the
practice sessions both in class and your own personal practice and identify and address any technical,
musical and confidence aspects of your performance. Your blog should include videos as well as text.

Task 2: Professional Practice

Criteria: Unit 30 P4, M4, D4
Evidence: Observation sheet by tutor/Blog completed by learner/Video recording of workshop
You will take part in a series of vocal workshops throughout the term showing a professional level of
punctuality, commitment and attendance
You will arrive at workshops fully prepared having completed any necessary research, practice, and
 familiarisation with musical material
You will keep a professional level of focus and behaviour in all workshops, applying musical direction as
given and working as a positive and effective member of the team

Task 3: Performance (Ensemble and Solo)

Criteria: Unit 30: P4, M4, D4 P5, M5, D5
Evidence: Video recording of rehearsals and performance/Peer assessment/blog completed by students
As a group, and on your own, you will devise and rehearse for a final performance which combines your
physical and vocal skills to effectively interpret a range of musical material and engagement conveying
narrative and characterisation through both ensemble and solo pieces
You will take part in two ensemble performances and one solo. These will be video recorded. You will
perform this material in character throughout using physical and vocal expression.
As an individual you will show musical accuracy and correct application of vocal technique, confidence and
emotional engagement with the musical material, and effective communication with other performers and
the audience
You will contribute constructively to peer feedback reviews of rehearsals, recording personal and ensemble
targets in your blog during the course of the term.

Sources of information
Books
Kayes, G. (2004) Singing and the Actor, A & C Black Publishers Ltd, London
Peckham, A. (2010) The Contemporary Singer Berklee Press, Boston
Hewitt G How to Sing (Taplinger Press, 1979)
Grants C and D You Can Sing (Carlton Visual, 2003)
Hammond M Thank you thats all we need for today (Peters, 2009)
Miller G On the Art of Singing (Oxford University Press, 1996)
Peckham A The Contemporary Singer (Berklee Press, 2000)
Stone J You Can Sing (Music Sales, 1997)

Websites:
www.youtube.com
www.vimeo.com
www.musicroom.com
www.sheetmusicdirect.co.uk

Music
100 Hits: Musicals Audio CD

Websites
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sing/learning/
http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-sing-the-basics
Summary of grading criteria
Unit 30: