MUOP 356/856: Intermediate/Advanced Opera Techniques—A Peer Review of Teaching Project Benchmark Portfolio

Authors

Jamie M. Reimer, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

2013

Document Type

Portfolio

Comments

Course portfolio developed as part of the UNL Peer Review of Teaching Project (peerreview.unl.edu)

Copyright (c) 2013 Jaime Reimer

Abstract

I began the investigation of this course and subsequent course portfolio with the following objectives in mind:

1. To solidify and articulate the skills I intend students enrolled in this course to achieve by the end of the semester;
2. To think creatively about the presentation of course material to most effectively engage and empower students' success; and
3. To assess the effectiveness of the course activities in achieving course goals stated in the syllabus.

I am also excited to explore the options available for different methods of content delivery in this course, particularly the application of recorded performance for assessment. In the private studio, my students are required to listen to professional performances as much as possible (live and recorded) in order to understand the professional standard to which they must aspire. It makes sense, then, that students in this performance-based class should do the same. I look forward to incorporating our new library resource Opera in Video, an online repository for professional operatic performance, as well as the Metropolitan LIVE in HD broadcasts (at the Ross Theater) and field trips to see Opera Omaha productions, to meet this goal. I am interested to learn the impact that watching, hearing and assessing professional performances will have on my students' final performance project.

Given that I am in a tenure-earning position, the course portfolio will certainly become part of my tenure file. It is most important to me, however, that I find the most effective (and efficient) ways to communicate this material to my students, as it will impact both their collegiate and professional careers.

This portfolio will be an overview of the course, for each element of the course is a cumulative application of the material taught before it. Attention will be paid to the effectiveness and creativity of each assignment in order to achieve the desired outcome. I hope to identify areas that are currently weak or missing in the progression of the course, as well as develop ways to use the allotted course time most effectively to allow the students opportunities to apply the material presented.