UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN

SA COLLEGE OF MUSIC

REVISED SINGING OUTLINE 2020*

Changes below had to be applied due to Covid -19 pandemic

A Level: Students registered for Diploma in Music Performance (DMP) or B. Mus

Performance in Classical Voice from their second year. A recital is a requirement
in the final year of study.
B Level: All Classical Voice first study students.
C Level: From the second year, those who wish to study an instrument as an elective in
the B. Mus Education Degree or Teacher’s Licentiate Diploma. Singing must be a
second instrument.
D Level: Students who choose Singing as a second instrument, meaning an elective.
Advanced Singing: Students who already passed their 3 years of Diploma in Singing.

DP REQUIREMENTS
In all of the above levels, attendance is recommended at all times.

DMP (3 years) & B. MUS (4 years):

A & B LEVELS:
YEAR WORK
In the first year, a minimum of 6 works that should include art songs and lieder. Students
may include an opera/operetta/oratorio aria or a song from a musical. Please note that this
is not compulsory. Work done in operas counts towards the 6 songs required.

In the second year, a minimum of 8 works that should contrast in period, type, style,
language and composer. Students may include an opera/operetta/oratorio aria or song
from a musical. Please note that this is not compulsory. Work done in operas counts
towards the 8 songs required.

In the third year, B level has a minimum of 10 works that must contrast in period, type,
style and composer. Opera students must do a minimum of 3 operatic, operetta or
musicals arias/songs. These may be mixed. Work done in operas counts towards the 10
songs required.

In the fourth year, B level has a minimum of 12 works that must contrast in period, type,
style and composer. Opera students must do a minimum of 3 operatic, operetta or
musicals arias/songs. These may be mixed. Work done in operas counts towards the 12
songs required.

DMP RECITAL

In the third year (A3) there will be a recital lasting 25-30 minutes, including a 5 minute
interval. A song cycle may be sung as part of the recital, but it should not exceed half the
recital time. The programme must be approved by The Course Convenor and it must be
submitted in person no later than 6 weeks prior to the recital date.

*With acknowledgement to UNISA for assistance with compilation of these notes

Singing Requirements 2

B. MUS RECITAL

In the fourth year (A4) there will be a recital lasting 35-40 minutes, including a 5-minute
interval. A song cycle may be sung as part of the recital, but it should not exceed half the
recital time. The programme must be approved by the Course Convenor and be submitted
in person no later than 6 weeks prior to the recital date.

VOCAL STUDIES:

DMP OPERA
For students that are enrolled in operatic studies under the diploma programme.

YEAR WORK
In the first year, a minimum of 6 works that should include art songs and lieder. Students
may include an opera/operetta/oratorio aria or a song from a musical. Please note that this
is not compulsory. Work done in operas counts towards the 6 songs required.

In the second year, a minimum of 8 works that should contrast in period, type, style,
language and composer. Students may include an opera/operetta/oratorio aria or song
from a musical. Please note that this is not compulsory. Work done in operas counts
towards the 8 songs required.

In the third year, a minimum of 10 works that must contrast in period, type, style and
composer. Opera students must do a minimum of 3 operatic, operetta or musicals
arias/songs. These may be mixed. Work done in operas counts towards the 10 songs
required.

ADVANCED DIPLOMA
OPERA
This is for those who already have a diploma. Singing is done at an advanced level and a
minimum of 12 works that must contrast in period, type, style and composer must be
studied. Students must do either arias and/or scenes from musical stage works. These
may be mixed. For Opera students, work done in operas counts towards the 12 songs
required.

CLASSICAL
For recitalists, there must a (35-40) recital that includes a 5 minute interval. A song cycle
may be sung as part of the recital, but it should not exceed half the recital time. The
programme must be approved by the Course Convenor and be submitted in person no
later than 6 weeks prior to the recital date.

C LEVEL
In the first year, a minimum of 6 works that should include art songs, lieder, arias from
oratorio/opera/operetta (if possible) or a song from a musical.

In the second year, a minimum of 8 works that should contrast in period, style, type,
language and composer. Arias from oratorio/opera/operetta/musical to be included if
possible.

In the third year, a minimum of 10 works that contrast in period, style, type, language and
composer. Arias from oratorio/opera/operetta/musical to be included if possible.
Singing Requirements 3

In the fourth year, a minimum of 12 works that contrast in period, style type, language and
composer. Arias from oratorio/opera/operetta/musical to be included if possible.
D LEVEL

Vocal studies D level is offered in all years of study as the second practical subject for all
programmes: Only end of the year tests are done in this level.

YEAR WORK:
First year: - a minimum of 4 works will be studied
Second year: - a minimum of 6 works will be studied
Third year: - a minimum of 6 works will be studied
Fourth year: - a minimum of 8 works will be studied

TEST REQUIREMENTS:
First year: 2 contrasting works
Second year: 2 contrasting works
Third year: 2 contrasting works
Fourth year: 3 contrasting works

PRACTICAL STUDY:
EXTENDED PROGRAMME – B. MUS & DMP

YEAR WORK
During the year, a minimum of 6 works that include art songs and lieder should be studied.

DULY PERFORMED CERTIFICATES: See rule GB9.1 - GB9.3 in the “General Rules
and Policies” handbook. The following requirements are part of the practical
course:

JUNE ASSESMENTS:

Students in levels A, B, C, Vocal Studies and Extended Programme must sing two Arie
Antiche and Technical Tests. While rendering their two arias, students are expected to
master diction; intonation; phrasing and breathing; musical accuracy; style/ interpretation;
presentation and tone quality. This assessment counts 30 % towards the final mark and
will be given by the respective teacher.

Technical Test
Courtesy to UNISA: From the Extended Programme to levels A, B, C and Advanced
Diploma, there are prescribed technical tests. Each student is expected to have all these
memorized for the June assessments only.

NOVEMBER TEST:
Here students are expected to master diction; intonation; phrasing; breathing; musical
accuracy; style; presentation and tone quality. This counts 70 % towards the final mark.

In the first year, 3 contrasting works by different composers must be performed. Arias are
optional.

In the second year, 3 contrasting works by different composers must be performed. Arias
are optional.
Singing Requirements 4

In the third year, 4 works must be performed which must contrast in period, style, key,
mood, language and composer. For Opera students two of the works could be from
opera, operetta or a scene from a stage work of equal calibre to two arias/songs.
In the fourth year as well as in Advanced Diploma, 4 works must be performed. These
must contrast in period, style, key, mood, language and composer. Advance Diploma
students could do two works which can be arias from operas or operettas, songs from
musicals or a scene from a stage work of equal calibre to two arias/songs.

SINGING TECHNICAL TESTS

Students are required to sing the technical exercise unaccompanied and from memory.
Where no vowels are indicated, students may be required to sing them on the following
vowel sounds:

IPA SYMBOL ENGLISH ITALIAN

a father lama, sala, canta
I meet fino, ira, infidi
U moon luna, tutto, futura
Open ε bed, sent bello, senso, gemma
Open ‫כ‬ cough, dog, song forza, occhio, porta
Closed e chaotic, came vero, sera, seno
(careful, no dipthong!)
Closed o rowing, show solo, sono, voce
(careful of dipthong)
GERMAN
ö mercy, her, sir Durban können, öffnen

FRENCH GERMAN
*y tu, bu für, Tür
* Third and fourth year only

*With acknowledgement to UNISA for assistance with compilation of these notes