POP-ROCK VOCALS
PREPARATORY COURSE
Preparatory Course in Pop Singing
The Pop Rock Singing Course at Saint Louis College of Music is a preparatory course designed for access to first-level academic courses in Popular Music. The program is aimed at singers who wish to develop vocal technique, interpretive awareness and artistic identity within a professional teaching context.
The course integrates individual voice lessons, practice in vocal and instrumental ensembles, and live activities, with a focus on the development of contemporary pop rock style. Training is performance-oriented, studying repertoire and building a personal artistic project.
Duration 1 to 3 years, depending on entry level
Attendance 6 to 10 hours per week, in regular or long-distance mode, depending on the curriculum and student need
Where Rome, Saint Louis College of Music
Language Italian and English
The pre-academic Pop Rock Singing course varies in length from 1 to 3 years, depending on the student’s entry level and pace of learning.
The teaching structure is designed to accompany progressively towardadmission to the first-level academic courses of the Saint Louis College of Music.
During the course you will acquire skills in the following areas:
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Individual pop rock singing lessons, with a teacher chosen by the student, to develop vocal technique, extension, emission control and interpretive awareness.
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Practices in vocal and instrumental ensembles, from small vocal ensembles to trios to medium-sized ensembles, to work on Italian and international pop rock repertoire in ensemble music contexts.
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Study of interpretation and style, with emphasis on artistic identity, stage presence, and expressive communication.
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In-depth study of the languages of Popular Music, with elements of rock, contemporary pop, soul and modern contaminations.
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Study of piano, from technical basics to practical application of harmony, with reading of chord signatures and melodies of medium difficulty, supporting the singer’s autonomy in accompanying himself/herself with the instrument.
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Introduction to music technology, through the use of sequencing software, notions of voice recording and tools for pre-production of personal art projects.
Upon successful completion of the Pre-Academic Course in Pop Rock Singing, the student directly enters the three-year Level I Academic Diploma in Popular Music, a degree recognized by the Ministry of University and Research (MUR), issued by the Saint Louis College of Music..
The academic course enables the development of vocal, artistic and professional skills geared toward entry into the contemporary music industry, both in the live and studio recording environment.
Career outlets of the Three-Year Academic Level I Program in Pop Singing
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Singer and solo artist in original Pop, Rock and Contemporary Music projects
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Professional vocalist for live performance, concerts, touring and studio recording sessions
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Frontman / frontwoman within pop rock bands and ensembles
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Author/songwriter and performer, for writing and performing original songs
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Singer for music applied to images, soundtracks, audiovisual, digital media and multimedia content
Pre-academic courses in Pop Rock Singing at the Saint Louis College of Music do not start from scratch and assume prior vocal practice and a basic knowledge of modern singing.
The course is designed for students who have already acquired the technical basics of singing and wish to structure their training with a view toentering first-level academic courses.
Entrance testing and personalization
It is possible to enter the first year or to be admitted directly to the second or third pre-academic year, depending on the level of preparation demonstrated during the pre-academic placement test.
For each subject, the student is placed in the level best suited to his or her skills. For example, it is possible to be admitted to an advanced level of singing, an intermediate level of harmony, and a beginning level of ear training. Each discipline then follows its own path, calibrated to the student’s actual level, ensuring a coherent, effective and personalized educational progression.
How the entrance test is conducted
Placement tests for Saint Louis pre-college courses are held:
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in June
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In September, exclusively for any places still available
The entrance test evidence includes:
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Singing test, with performance of one or more pieces of the student’s choice and any further study required by the committee (see the admission program by clicking on “Download syllabus“ above)
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Harmony test, structured as per the facsimile for access to the 2nd and 3rd levels of harmony
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Ear training test, structured as per the facsimile for access to the 2nd and 3rd levels of ear training
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Aptitude interview, aimed at assessing the candidate’s profile, awareness of the chosen path and motivation to study


















