2006-08 Course Descriptions - Catalog - University of Oklahoma

The Uni ver sity of Oklahoma 2006-2008 Gen eral Cat a logMusical Theatre (MTHR)1442 Jazz I (Crosslisted with Dance 1442). Prerequisite: 1212 andpermission of instructor. May be repeated; maximum credit four hours. Abeginner class that provides the student with a comprehensiveunderstanding of the technical fundamentals of jazz dance including basicrhythms, vocabulary and skills. Focus is aimed towards proper placement,strength and flexibility development. (F, Sp)1501 Musical Notation. Prerequisite: admission to Musical Theatreprogram. Lecture/discussion class to enhance the ability to read music,including treble and bass clefs, major and minor scales, diatonic intervalsand chords as well as simple and compound rhythms. (F)1502 Studio Voice I. Prerequisite: admission to musical theatre program.May be repeated; maximum credit four hours. Establishing basic vocaltechnique for musical theatre singing, including vocal exercises andbreathing technique. Application of technique through the study ofbeginning level Broadway up-tempos and ballads as well as English art songand American folk song. (F, Sp)1551 Sight Reading. Prerequisite: admission to Musical Theatre program.Lab practice of rhythm and pitch recognition including the ability toperform diatonic intervals ascending/descending as well assimple/compound rhythms in both division and subdivision. (Sp)2101 Performance Practicum. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Maybe repeated; maximum credit four hours. Study and practice in rehearsaland performance as a cast member in musical theatre productionsincluding cabaret work of the freshman/sophomore level. (F, Sp)2112 Tap II (Crosslisted with Dance 2112). Prerequisite: 1112 andpermission of instructor. May be repeated; maximum credit four hours. Anadvanced beginner class that maintains focus on proper placement andclarity of sound while introducing more complicated rhythms, step patternsand vocabulary. Counting and ear training continues as the student honesassimilation skills. Focus is placed on tap dynamics including accenting,shading and movement quality. A variety of styles will be introduced. (F, Sp)2121 Auditions. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. An introduction tomusical theatre performance through the practice of auditioning. Studyinvolves an overview of song form, style, and composers. Assignmentsinclude casting notices, resume format and research tools. Emphasis isplaced on assembling a portfolio of song cuttings. (Sp)2442 Jazz II (Crosslisted with Dance 2442). Prerequisite: 1442 orpermission of instructor. May be repeated; maximum credit four hours.This advanced beginner class expands on the techniques learned in Jazz Iwith focus on cleanly executed technique, well connected movementquality, dynamics and increased strength and flexibility. A variety of jazzstyles will be introduced. (F, Sp)2502 Studio Voice II. Prerequisite: 1502. May be repeated; maximumcredit four hours. Continuing practice of vocal technique for musical theatresinging; includes developing range, flexibility and tone color. Application oftechnique through the study of intermediate level Broadway up-temposand ballads, as well as Italian art song and European operetta. (F, Sp)3112 Tap III (Crosslisted with Dance 3112). Prerequisite: 2112 orpermission of instructor. May be repeated; maximum credit six hours. Anintermediate class with focus placed on refinement of technical andassimilation skills while dramatically increasing tap vocabulary. Studentsfocus on tap dynamics, performance quality, style variety and movementcoordination while learning longer and more complicated step patterns.Tap improvisation is introduced. (Irreg.)3141 Repertoire. Prerequisite: 2121 or permission of instructor.Investigation of Broadway and Hollywood songwriting during the first halfof the 20 th Century. Performance material will consist of songs appropriatefor the student’s vocal range. Study includes critical listening to periodrecordings. (F)3142 Song Study. Prerequisite: 3141 or permission of instructor.Development of musical theatre performance technique through the studyof solo song. Study includes exploring aspects of interpretation andexpression to support the vocal, physical and mental aspects of performing.Emphasis is placed on integrating singing and acting skills. (Sp)3143 History of American Musical Theatre. Prerequisite: English 1213.Surveys history of the American musical theatre from its beginnings in thelate 19th century to the present. (F, Sp) [IV-AF]3163 Musical Scenes. Prerequisite: 3142 or permission of instructor.Application of musical theatre performance technique utilizing scenes fromthe Broadway stage. Study includes using show research and script analysisto develop characterization. Emphasis is placed on creating unifiedperformance both dramatically and musically. (F)3171 Roles. Prerequisite: 3163 or permission of instructor. Exploration ofmusical theatre leading roles from the second half of the 20th Century.Performance material will consist of songs appropriate for the student’svocal and physical range. Study includes viewing performances of artistsfrom the Broadway stage. (Sp)3442 Jazz III (Crosslisted with Dance 3442). Prerequisite: 2442 orpermission of instructor. May be repeated; maximum credit four hours. Anintermediate class that moves at a heightened pace, this level expands onthe techniques learned in Jazz II. Additional focus is placed on style variety,assimilation skills, and more advanced movement coordination andrhythms. (Irreg.)3502 Studio Voice III. Prerequisite: 2502. May be repeated; maximumcredit four hours. Broadening development of vocal technique for musicaltheatre singing; includes learning to blend the vocal registers for healthytone production. Application of technique through the study of advancedlevel Broadway up-tempos and ballads, as well as German art song andAmerican operetta. (F, Sp)3960 Honors Reading. Prerequisite: admission to Honors program andpermission of instructor. Consists of either reading topics or independentstudy designated by the instructor in keeping with the student’s majorprogram. Covers materials not usually presented in the regular courses. (F, Sp)3980 Honors Research. Prerequisite: admission to Honors program andpermission of instructor. Provides an opportunity for the gifted Honorscandidate to work at a special project in the student’s field. (F, Sp)4101 Advanced Performance Practicum. Prerequisite: junior or seniorstanding and permission of instructor. May be repeated; maximum creditfour hours. Study and practice in rehearsal and performance as a castmember in musical theatre productions, including mainstage orcabaret/revue participation during the junior and senior years. (F, Sp)4112 Tap IV (Crosslisted with Dance 4112). Prerequisite: 3112 orpermission of instructor. May be repeated; maximum credit four hours.This advanced class furthers the tap dancer’s vocabulary, refines technicalskills, greatly increases assimilation ability and furthers the study of tapimprovisation. (Irreg.)4172 Theatre Dance Styles I. Prerequisite: 2112 and 2442, and seniorstanding, or permission of instructor. A practical and historical study of theBroadway dance styles. The main focus is in the jazz idiom; however,strong ballet, jazz, and tap skills are required. Emphasis is placed ontechnique, performance quality and auditioning skills. (F)4174 Coaching. Prerequisite: 3171 or permission of instructor. Advancedtechniques of musical theatre performance through individual coaching.Study includes developing a song notebook appropriate to one’s type forprofessional auditions and assignments related to working in the Broadwayprofession. Emphasis is placed on presenting a variety of musical anddramatic styles. (F)4182 Theatre Dance Styles II. Prerequisite: 4172. This course is acontinuing study of Broadway dance styles. Strong skills in jazz, ballet, andtap are required. Emphasis placed on techniques, performance quality andauditioning skills. (Sp)4183 Capstone Experience. Prerequisite: senior standing and permissionof instructor. Requires written documentation in appropriate format. Senioryear project which demonstrates mastery of skills and knowledge inmusical theatre, selected under advisement and guided by appropriatefaculty. (F, Sp)4190 Special Studies. 1 to 4 hours. Prerequisite: junior standing, major inmusical theatre, and permission of instructor. May be repeated withchange of content; maximum credit six hours. Varying individual or smallgroup topics or projects in the study and practice of musical theatre notcovered in regularly scheduled courses. (Irreg.)4442 Jazz IV (Crosslisted with Dance 4442). Prerequisite: permission ofinstructor. May be repeated; maximum credit four hours. An advancedclass emphasizing strong technique and assimilation skills as well as theability to adapt to any jazz style. Continued focus is placed on flexibility,strength, dynamics, and solid performance quality. (Irreg.)4502 Studio Voice IV. Prerequisite: 3502. May be repeated; maximumcredit four hours. Furthering development of vocal technique for musicaltheatre singing; includes practical application of technical skills andknowledge. Application of technique through the study of classics andcontemporary Broadway up-tempos and ballads as well as French art songand American art song. (F, Sp)Course Descriptions 164