Vocal teacher: features and job descriptions

A vocal teacher is a profession that is highly demanded in modern society. Singing teachers are required in both private studios and public art clubs. In our article, we will dwell on the specifics of the profession, tell you what skills and knowledge a good vocal teacher should have, what are his duties, rights and responsibilities.

Each profession has its own characteristics, and the specialty of a singing teacher was no exception. Love for art, the desire to devote oneself to pedagogy, the belief that without knowledge of real music it is impossible to become a harmonious person and sincere passion for one's work - all these qualities are inherent in the teacher-musician. A vocal tutor not only teaches how to correctly deduce notes, he also conducts educational work, forms the aesthetic taste of his students, and contributes to the formation of ideals. That's why A good singing teacher is more than just a teacher who knows the basics of their subject well. This is a gifted person in the highest sense of the word.

The work of a singing teacher is somewhat similar to that of an actor. Both strive through creativity to awaken the feelings and thoughts of other people. However, the work of a singing teacher is much more difficult. The actor is only a part of the theatrical performance, while the vocal teacher is one in three roles: he independently composes the scenario of the lesson, directs the performance of the performances and directly teaches. A vocal teacher can give 4-6 lessons per day, and they can be conducted with a very different contingent, both in age and in areas of activity.

Hardly anyone will argue with the fact that the technique of teaching choral singing to first graders will differ significantly from staging a performance for a boy or girl of 15-17 years old. Depending on the genre, they distinguish between academic, pop, opera and jazz vocals, extreme vocals and folk singing are distinguished in separate directions.

The job descriptions for any vocal teacher include the following responsibilities. This teacher:

• conducts group or individual lessons with students in order to improve their vocal level;
• works with vocalists and soloists of choral groups on individual parts in the preparation of new productions, and also works with new performers according to the current repertoire;
• conducts vocal lessons using various techniques for teaching singing and voice acting skills;
• forms the skills of performers to maintain the stability of intonations, and also develops a sense of timbre structure;
• teaches students the skills of competent sound production and voice-leading within the framework of a certain tessitura;
• is engaged in the setting of singing breathing;
• forms the skills of ear recognition of the basic components of the musical language (chords, tempo, instrumentation, tonality, rhythms, intervals);
• teaches the recognition of a musical form from the musical text or by ear;
• carries out close interaction with the director of concerts and musical performances;
• monitors the quality of performance of individual vocal parts.

We draw your attention to the fact that it is impossible to become a vocal teacher without musical education. And if you plan to work in preschool / school institutions or teenage clubs, then you will also need pedagogical courses that confirm the skills of working with children.

A vocal teacher should know:

• the foundations of the current legislation in terms of issues of culture and art;
• basic provisions of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, as well as any other regulations of higher authorities;
• theoretical and practical foundations of vocal skills;
• history of vocal art and musical theater;
• theory and practice of vocal pedagogy methods;
• the current repertoire of creative teams, as well as new works accepted for production;
• the specifics of working as a singing teacher in groups of different ages;
• the basics of "tuning" the voice apparatus;
• practice and theory of vocal skill analysis.

A music teacher is required to:

• be able to introduce students to the performing arts, and do it in an interesting and accessible form for them;
• be aware of the musical tastes of their students and their vocal needs;
• be a good organizer, provide your students with maximum creative activity and professional self-expression;
• equip a study, equipping it with everything you need to learn the basics of vocal skills;
• be able to independently play any musical instrument;
• have the skills to use sound and video reproducing equipment.

In order to become a good music teacher, it is important to have a set of necessary qualities. To work as a vocal teacher you need:

• the ability to feel the musical repertoire, to design teaching and educational material;
• the ability to emotional contagion, vivid expression of directed emotions;
• possession of the full intonation range of speech, good plasticity, facial expressions and articulation;
• the ability to explain, convey their knowledge, share experiences;
• the ability to improvise;
• the ability to penetrate the world of feelings and sensations of the student, the ability to feel his condition, a predisposition to empathy.

A vocal teacher should be an active, sociable person, necessarily positive, with the ability to instill optimism in others. It is important that he was tactful, delicate and restrained person. Not all students immediately understand what they want from them, and the process of "tuning" the voice itself is slow. Therefore, the teacher will have to be patient, teach, without offending, gently and correctly guide the student in the right direction.

A vocal tutor, like any other teacher, has his own rights. He is allowed to:

• demand the creation of the necessary technical and organizational conditions for the implementation of pedagogical activities;
• get acquainted with the projects of the vocal school in the part that can, in one way or another, relate to his activities;
• to receive in full the information necessary to fulfill his job description;
• regularly improve their professional level and competence;
• require students to complete their assignments within the curriculum.

At the same time, the singing teacher also bears personal responsibility:

• for failure to comply with the approved job description;
• for non-compliance with the internal regulations of the agreed schedule of classes with students;
• for any violations committed while performing professional activities in accordance with the criminal, civil or administrative codes of the Russian Federation;
• for causing material damage to the property of an organization or a student;
• for misuse of official powers.