Vocal Performance Stage 1

Performance A

Ai Solo or Collaborative Performance of a varied programme, to be assessed by a public recital. The overall duration to be 35 minutes, including any spoken introductions. 50%

Aii Performance of a role in a main production if cast. 50%

Performance B

Bi Recitative Workshop. A workshop performance of staged recitatives from opera. Material to be chosen by the course tutors. As part of the programme students will be given guidance on essential stagecraft and support in the preparation of given recitatives. 25%

Bii Solo or Collaborative Performance of a varied programme, to be assessed by a recital. The overall duration to be 20 minutes, including any spoken introductions. 25%

Biii Lecture-Recital of 30 minuteson a relevant specialist subject, negotiated and agreed with the HoD. 25%

Biv Opera Audition. Preparation of three arias in at least two languages, two of which to be sung; the first to be selected by the student, the second by the panel. Audition to be followed by questions from the panel. An audition package including a CV, biography and headshot to be submitted in advance. Students may indicate at this stage if they wish to treat the assessment as preparation for a specific audition context, such as: general audition, chorus audition, studio/YAP audition. 25%

Bv Chorus and/or Small Role in a production. 25%

Bvi Solo or Collaborative Performance in an RCS public recital, or solo role in orchestral/ choral concert. To be negotiated and agreed with the HoD. Opportunities may include departmental public performances such as Song Studios or ‘Mondays at One’; appropriate cross-curricular performances may also be considered. 25%

Bvii New Work. A performance or studio recording of a new work, along with either a supporting commentary (c.1000 words) or a viva. 25%

Bviii Studio Recording of 10-15 minutes comprising repertoire appropriate to the specialisms of the student, negotiated with the Head of Department. This may be a video recording, audio recording, or a combination of both. If a student chooses to submit video recordings, the visual presentational aspects of vocal performance will be taken into account. The recording is either to be accompanied by a written commentary (c.1000 words) on the recording process, chosen repertoire, editorial issues, performance and interpretive decisions, or the candidate may elect to address these issues in an oral examination. 25%

Bix Role Study. Learners will choose one role from a selection of three operas in German. They will learn how to study and research their character through a series of simple exercises, then draw on that learning in the rehearsal and performance of a short scene involving their character. They will receive coaching in preparation for production rehearsals, and be taught how to notate their moves on a score. Assessment is based holistically on: their performance of the scene; their conduct and creativity in rehearsals, the written character exercises; the notation of their moves on a score; and a mutually constructed feedback session. 25%