Learn to Sing: Interpretation



Overview

This is a practical course for singers who have some singing experience, ie at school, in a choir, having received singing lessons, or having attended either 'Discover Your Voice' or 'Learn to Sing - Vocal Technique'.

The course will be equally divided into sessions working on the techniques of interpretation by examining the words and musical settings of set songs; and workshop sessions where students can bring songs that they are currently working on to class.

This practical class will concentrate on how to study a song – not only to identify the ideal interpretation, but also realise that interpretation in performance. 

Programme details

Course starts Tuesday 21 April 2026

This is an in-person course which requires your attendance at the weekly meetings in Oxford on Tuesdays, 7-9pm.

Week 1: Vocal expression and tone colour

Week 2: Repertoire Workshop

Week 3: Finding the meaning - song classification

Week 4: Repertoire workshop

Week 5: Finding the meaning - song analysis part 1

Week 6: Repertoire Workshop

Week 7: Finding the meaning - song analysis part 2

Week 8: Repertoire Workshop

Week 9: Assessing performance - analysing different interpretations

Week 10: Repertoire Workshop

Digital Certification

Digital badge

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be issued with an official digital badge from the Department for Continuing Education, University of Oxford. In order to be issued with your badge, you will need to have attended at least 80% of the course.

After the course, you will receive an email with a link and instructions on how to download your digital badge. You will be able to add this badge to your email signature and share it on social media if you choose to do so.

Fees

Description Costs
Course Fee £300.00

Funding

If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, you are a full-time student in the UK or a student on a low income, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. See details of our concessionary fees for short courses.

Tutor

Miss Claire-Louise Lucas

Claire-Louise Lucas is a professional mezzo-soprano and a part-time music tutor. She lectures on opera and song for Oxford University Department for Continuing Education.  She has lectured on singing in conservatoires and other universities in the UK and the USA.

Claire-Louise has performed extensively throughout Britain, Europe and the USA, including an appearance as a soloist in the Salzburg Easter Festival with Maurizio Pollini and the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra under Claudio Abbado.  Other recent performances include concerts at Gloucester Cathedral; Christ Church Cathedral; Salisbury Cathedral; Southampton University; the Leominster Festival and the Brighton Festival. 

Course aims

  • To show students how to interpret a piece of vocal music.
  • To raise awareness of issues regarding interpretation.
  • To encourage a critical analysis of performance.

Teaching methods

A mixture of lecture and workshop.

  • The tutor will outline each technical topic with live vocal demonstrations and then students will have the opportunity to try the techniques described.
  • Repertoire will be demonstrated either by the use of audio tracks, video/DVD or with live performance.
  • Students will also sing short pieces or extracts from pieces to the class and work on these with the tutor. 

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, students will have been given the opportunity to:

  • know how to interpret a piece of vocal music;
  • have awareness of issues regarding interpretation; and
  • use the techniques they have learnt to realise the interpretation of a song in performance.

Assessment methods

This course is non-accredited, so there are no assessments.

Application

Please use the 'Book now' button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an enrolment form.

Level and demands

Students should have some experience of singing, ie at school, in a choir, having received singing lessons, or having attended either 'Discover Your Voice' or 'Learn to Sing - Vocal Technique'.

The Department's Weekly Classes are taught at first year undergraduate level.

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support