The Constructed Voice: A Sociocultural Model of Learning for Undergraduate Singers

Abstract

This article reports on the design and development of a model of learning influenced by sociocultural theories for undergraduate singers. It draws on data collected from reflective journals written by students as well as the findings from a pilot study conducted in 2005 where the aim was to examine the response of students to a changing curriculum in which traditional 'bel canto' singing technique was taught in conjunction with spoken voice class. The participants in the study were undergraduate students studying performance in the Faculty of Creative Arts at the University of Wollongong. This paper reports on some of the themes emerging from the pilot study, which were presented by Nicholls-Gidley and Latukefu at the 7th Voice Symposium of Australia held in September of 2005 and provided the basis for further research by Latukefu into strategies students use to construct learning.