Students who learn to perform well generally enjoy their music making more and stay with their studies for longer periods of time. Consequently, all singers will study technique and sight-reading exercises to enable them to perform to their best ability. Voice students will be given specific technique exercises for study.
Some of the exercises used to develop correct technique also teach basic music theory. Theory is the musical equivalent of grammar and involves key signatures, scales, rhythm, note reading, chords, and cadences. For singers these will include scales and arpeggios in all keys.
Great care is taken to develop voices responsibly. Since improper singing can cause physical damage to the vocal cords, students are given exercises to gently strengthen their voice and are taught the rudiments of vocal health. Students will develop abdominal and back muscles that allow them to produce full sounds without damage to their vocal mechanism.
Singers are expected to learn to read music Singers will either learn solfege (singing on syllables: do, re, mi, etc.) or improve their current skills. They will also learn rhythm. All songs will be sung on solfege syllables, sung with counting, and then sung with the actual text of the song.
These skills will enable singers to be more independent as musicians and will also prepare them for further study should they wish to pursue college study in music and/or professional performing.