Doctor of Musical Arts, The Ohio State University, 2014, Music

A survey of the literature addressing the training and vocal health of singers leads to pedagogic writings on singing and the voice as an instrument, instructions on vocal hygiene, writings on how to address vocal faults, and recently published works addressing the rehabilitation and care of the disordered singing voice. With the understanding that singing is a highly athletic and artistic form of vocalization that is prone to injury, there is a gradual but nonetheless noteworthy focus on the vocal health needs of singers, and an increasing awareness to educate singing students in the basics of vocal hygiene so as to preserve a healthy voice. This same population is faced with many lifestyle changes, together with often-stressful academic programs, competitions and auditions that increase their need for a healthy voice, while also creating conditions that may lead to vocal attrition. The first chapter inquires as to the documented vocal health and knowledge of students, together with an understanding of the most common voice complaints and disorders in the singer-student population. Chapter two addresses the principles of phonation and vocalization. It is followed by vocal hygiene and healthful practice recommendations in the third chapter, with the fourth chapter focusing on a suggested intake procedure for incoming students. Methods of assessing vocal health throughout students' careers as singers will be discussed. The fifth chapter concludes by devising a plan to address various voice symptoms. While an anomaly in vocal function may be more easily noticeable by the experienced singer, it is more challenging to differentiate a symptom of a voice disorder from a manifestation of faulty technique in voice students. Among many functions, college voice teachers have the primary responsibility of instilling in their students an understanding of proper vocal function, coordinating optimal uses of the systems of respiration, phonation, resonance and articulation to prod (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: John Rice (Advisor); Scott McCoy (Committee Member); Michael Trudeau (Committee Member) Subjects: Music; Performing Arts