Learn to Sing - vocal technique



Overview

This is a practical course for anyone wanting to learn to sing. Singing technique will be discussed and practised and students will have the opportunity to work on their vocal technique in class.

This practical class will concentrate on the fundamentals of vocal technique. During the term we will work on developing good breath control and natural placement of the voice through the use of vocal exercises. 

The practice techniques covered will include selecting breathing points and practising phrasing; identifying and resolving technical problems. However, the emphasis of this course will be to give students a good understanding of basic vocal techniques which will enable them to produce a well-supported, stable vocal tone.

Programme details

Course starts: 19 Jan 2026

Week 1: Breathing - how to take a breath correctly.

Week 2: Breathing - how to use a breath correctly.

Week 3: Resonance and the use of resonating cavities.

Week 4: Vowels - how to form vowel shapes.

Week 5: Repertoire Workshop.

Week 6: Consonants - how to form consonants.

Week 7: Tone Colour - the importance of vocal expression.

Week 8: Repertoire Workshop.

Week 9: Practice - how to prepare a song.

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. 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 your badge to your email signature and share it on social media if you choose to do so. In order to be issued with your badge, you will need to have attended at least 80% of the course.

Fees

Description Costs
Course Fee £180.00

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. Please see the below link for full details:

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 the importance of basic vocal techniques in the formation of good vocal tone.
  • To demonstrate good breathing technique.
  • To show the importance of the use of resonance in a well-modulated vocal tone.
  • To help students apply good vocal technique in a song of their choice.

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 be expected to:

  • know how to take and support a breath correctly;
  • know how to use resonance to improve their vocal timbre; 
  • use the techniques they have learnt 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 for short courses | Oxford University Department for Continuing Education

Level and demands

Some knowledge and experience of singing  prior to the course (such as completion of Discover Your Voice ) would be helpful.

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

 

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support