Short course
Learn to Sing: Vocal Technique
Course status:
Applications being accepted
Dates:
18/01/2027 - 22/03/2027
Study format:
In-person weekly
Fees:
£315.00
This is a practical course for anyone wanting to learn to sing.
Singing technique will be discussed and practised and you will have the opportunity to work on your 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; and 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.
Book this course
Book your place online using the button below.
Level and demands
Some knowledge and experience of singing prior to the course (such as completion of our Discover Your Voice course) would be helpful.
The Department’s Weekly Classes are taught at first year undergraduate level.
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.
Programme details
Course starts Monday 18 January 2027
This is an in-person course which requires your attendance at the weekly meetings in Oxford on Mondays, 7.00-9.00pm.
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.
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 have learnt how 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 not accredited, so there are no assessments or coursework.
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.
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 | £315.00 |
Funding
If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, or are a care-leaver in the UK, 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
Recommended reading
Recommended reading is optional and you are not required to purchase these books to study this course.
Library facilities
All weekly class students may become borrowing members of the Rewley House Library, part of the Bodleian Libraries, for the duration of their course. Prospective students whose courses have not yet started are also welcome to use the Library for reference.
- More information about the Library can be found on the Bodleian Libraries website.
- This guide for Weekly Class students also provides further information.
Preparatory reading
- Yehudi Menuhin Music Guides: Voice / Ed. Falkner, Keith
Module code: O26P510MSW
How to enrol
Please use the ‘Book now’ button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an enrolment form.
