HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE CENTRAL
HCCC FINE ARTS/DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC
SYLLABUS FOR MUSI 1161
INSTRUCTOR: CHRISTY COMPSON
E-mail – christy.compson@hccs.edu
Cell Phone – 281-352-8849
Course Number: 37732
MUSI 1161
Title of Course: ENGLISH DICTION FOR SINGERS
Credit: 3 hours as specified by the course number
Length of Course: 16 weeks
Class Time: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:00 – 9:50 AM
Class Location: FAC (Fine Arts Center), Room 229
Office Hours: By Appointment, you may text or call me
Course Objectives:
The student singer will learn the IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) and the rules for
proper English diction. They will learn how those rules apply to, and are sometimes
changed when applied to the text of a song. There are no prerequisites for this course.
Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course a student should be able to illustrate:
 correct pronunciation, syllabification, and word stress for English songs
 an understanding of the physiology of the articulation of each vowel and
consonant
 solid use of the IPA in transcribing from written English and from dictation of
spoken English
 the ability to read clearly from a phonetic transcription
Required Textbook:
Wall, Joan, et al. Diction for Singers: A Concise Reference for English, Italian, Latin,
German, French and Spanish Pronunciation, 2nd edition. Redmond: Robert Caldwell,
2012.
ISBN 978-1934477700
Recommended Text(s):
Wall, Joanm International Phonetic Alphabet for Singers, A manual for English and foreign
ISBN 1-877761-50-8
www.dictionforsingers.com
Kenyon, John S. and Knott, Thomas A. A pronouncing Dictionary of American English.
Springfield: Merriam-Webster, Inc., 1953
Course Requirements:
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4 Exams and 1 Final Exam
1 Performance of assigned English vocal literature (music may be used, higher
grade if memorized)
1 Transcription project of above mentioned, assigned English vocal literature
Homework assignments, transcriptions into IPA from English
Quizzes both aural and written, (expect pop quizzes)
Engaged class preparation and participation.
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Grade Assessment:
 10% for each Exam Grade (for a total of 50%)
 10% for Quizzes and/or Class Participation
 10% for the English song performance (on the quality of the diction, not the vocal
talent)
 10% for the English song transcription
 10% for Attendance (percentage based on 30 class sessions).
 10% for Homework completed (based on percentage of homework assignments
finished)
Grading Scale:
A
90-100%
B
80-89%
C
70-79%
D
60-69%
F
0-59%
ATTENDANCE POLICY – NO MORE THAN 12.5 % OF CLASS MISSED
Students are expected to attend classes regularly. This class does not have a
seperate Lab. The pronunciation Lab will take place during the regular, scheduled class
period. It is the student's responsibility to consult with instructor for makeup assignments,
handouts, or changes in the calendar.
Class attendance is checked daily. It is the responsibility of the student to drop a course
for non-attendance. Failure to do so could result in the grade earned. Additionally, the
instructor has the authority to drop a student for excessive absences. A student may be
dropped from a course for absenteeism after the student has accumulated absences in
excess of 12.5 percent of the hours of instruction.
Please be aware of the deadline for the administrative or student initiated
withdrawals (April 1, 2013 by 4:30 PM). After that date students will receive the grade
that they have earned.
Late Work and Test Policy:
Late work will be penalized. You should not miss any exams. If you are sick, you need
to notify the professor in advance. The professor reserves the right to administer a
different exam and deduct points for taking the exam late, and/or schedule the makeup
for a later date. Missing an exam without giving prior notice will result in a zero for that
test, with no makeup.
Students with Disabilities:
Any student with a documented disability
(e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) who
needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the
Disability Services Office at the respective college at the beginning
of each semester.
Academic Honesty:
All Houston Community College District
students are required to exercise academic honesty in completion of
all tests and assignments. Penalties for academic dishonesty
(cheating on a test, plagiarism, unauthorized collaboration on an
assignment) may include a grade of O or F for the particular
assignment, failure in the course, and/or recommendation for
probation or dismissal from the college District.
-----------------------------------------------------------------Student Signature – I have read and understand the syllabus for this class. I understand
that the content of this syllabus and the topical outline are subject to change at the
discretion of the professor. I have read and understand the HCC Classroom Policy posted
on Black Board.
I promise to uphold the Code of Academic Integrity at Houston Community College
and will not tolerate its violation by others.