The syllabus (found below) can also be downloaded here.

Prof. Nikita Storojev
Voice Studio Syllabus and Requirements

Office: MRH 4.136
Phone: (512) 471-9440
E-mail: nstorojev@mail.utexas.edu

Voice Lessons
Students must attend at least one voice lesson per week in the semester. Do not sing or practice directly before the lesson.  (Schedule your lesson on day or time when you have not had choir or a coaching or other vocal activities before the lesson.) Arrive with an empty stomach. (Don’t eat a few hours prior to the lesson.)
  
Studio members are required to provide an accompanist for each lesson
Please make sure that your accompanist arrives at the beginning of the lesson. You are responsible for your accompanist’s attendance for each lesson. If your accompanist cannot play for a particular lesson, you must find an acceptable substitute.
 
Please make copies of all your music, so that you have a copy and your accompanist has a copy. If you have recordings of your repertory, it is advisable to make copies of these recordings for your accompanist, so that he or she knows the tempo and style of the songs and arias in your repertory.
 
With permission, you may attend voice lessons of other students in Prof. Storojev’s studio.

Studio Class
Studio members are required to participate each week in Studio Class. The hours of Studio Class will be announced.  Please come warmed up and prepared with two or three songs and/or arias. When not singing, listen to the other singers and to Prof. Storojev’s comments.  Learning from the mistakes of others is a valuable tool in your education as a singer.

There will be an accompanist fee for the Studio Class, which will be announced.  Please pay this fee at the beginning of the semester.  You must also bring copies of music for the Studio Class accompanist.

Attendance Policy
If you cannot attend your lesson, please call at least 24 hours in advance of your lesson. If you are ill, please bring a note from your doctor.  If you cannot attend the lesson and have given proper notice, the lesson may be rescheduled at a time that is convenient to both you and Prof. Storojev.  If you call Prof. Storojev’s office and no one answers, please call him at his home: 527-9077. Please also notify your accompanist, and make sure that the accompanist can attend the rescheduled lesson.
If you miss two unexcused lessons during the course of one semester, your grade will be automatically lowered one full letter grade.

Recital Attendance
Attendance is required (depending on your schedule) at Voice Division faculty and student recitals.

Practice
You must practice six times per week, outside of the lesson.  Prepare for each practice session as you would for your weekly lesson.  Before each practice, please attentively read the vocal technique instructions that you will receive.

Make sure you arrange to have the melodies and piano accompaniment of every piece in your repertory recorded onto CD, so that you may practice with the CD.  Do this at the beginning of each semester.  Make an effort to acquire multiple commercial recordings of each piece in your repertory, so that you are well acquainted with traditional interpretations, style and diction.

If you have technical problems or other concerns during the course of practice, jot them down on paper and bring them into the lesson so that Prof. Storojev can promptly address these issues.

Repertory Requirements
The Voice Division requires you to prepare and memorize at least six songs during the course of each semester.  At the end of each semester your repertory for the next semester will be decided.  Use your vacation time to learn the music and language and listen to recordings.  All repertory must be learned outside of the lesson time and should be rehearsed with your accompanist.

As appropriate to your previous language studies, you must make every effort to translate, word by word, the text of every song and aria in your repertory.  I encourage you as well to continue your foreign language studies beyond the minimum requirements as set forth in your curriculum of study.

Recital repertoire will consist of songs and arias approved by the professor.

The required minimum time lengths for recitals are:

Recording Lessons
It is highly advisable to record all of your lessons. Listen to each lesson over the course of the week, before your next lesson. Make notes, and think about the points covered.

Performance Activity
Try to find as many solo performing opportunities as possible. Look for opportunities to sing as a soloist in churches or other community events.   Participation in local choral organizations will give you valuable exposure to the great works of western music. You could also organize your own recital, for the sake of gaining valuable performance experience. Performing before the public is invaluable and will help you build confidence for auditions and future performances.

Grading
50% of your final grade is determined by Prof. Storojev and 50% will be determined by the other members of the voice faculty, based on your performance in a jury or a recital. If you are not presenting a recital or singing in a jury during the semester, then Prof. Storojev determines 100% of your grade. Prof. Storojev’s grade is based not only on vocal progress but also on the effort, attitude and responsibility demonstrated by the student during the semester. This includes preparation in lessons, studio class participation, and recital attendance.

Other Suggestions

Verse yourself in the history and traditions of vocal music.  Read magazines such as Opera News and Classical Singer.  Visit websites devoted to singers and opera.  Read books on singers and operatic history.  Listen to as many recordings of great singers as possible. If you cannot find a certain recording or video performance, Professor Storojev has a large personal collection, which he would be happy to share with you.  Watch videos of operas and concerts.  Attend local live performances such as Austin Lyric Opera performances, or the Austin Symphony Orchestra, especially when vocal soloists are performing.  Attend as many concerts at UT as possible, especially other students’ voice recitals.

Learning foreign languages is a necessity.  The ability to correctly pronounce Italian, French and German through your own comprehension (not simply by memorizing the syllables) is an absolute necessity.

Please inform Prof. Storojev immediately if any language or conduct you experience in lessons or studio class makes you uncomfortable or crosses any personal boundaries.

Special Note: The University of Texas at Austin provides reasonable accommodation on request for qualified students with disabilities.  For more information, contact the Office of the Dean of Students at 471-6259, 471-4641 TTY.