School of Music
Vocal Arts and Science Symposium
Page Content
January 31– February 1, 2025
In keeping with its mission to provide cultural enrichment, development of musicians, teachers, and creative and research professionals in the arts and arts/music education, the School of Music and Voice Faculty will host a bi-annual Vocal Arts and Science Symposium with invited voice professionals in the medical, pedagogical, theatrical, and Speech and Hearing fields.
Guest Clinicians
Joining us will be two very special guest clinicians:
- Dr. Kourtney Austin: Assistant Professor of Music at the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse and her husband.
- Dr. Stephen F. Austin: Professor Emeritus of Voice and the former Coordinator of the Texas Center for Performing Arts Health at the University of North Texas, Denton.
Other guest presenters include:
- Dr. Jae-Hwa Shin: Professor in the School of Media and Communication at USM.
The Symposium Experience
You will experience:
- Two power-packed days of pedagogical material and topics including but not limited to vocal and respiratory anatomy and function, voice production, tension in the singing voice, medicine and handling pathologies (allergies, respiratory illnesses, etc.), treating and working with the voice after injury or surgery, to name a few.
- Panel discussions and fun-filled master classes for speakers and singers (avocational and professional) are also included to give practical methods and techniques on vocal improvement in both singing and speech.
- In addition to the legit style of teaching, this year’s emphasis will be on the singing and teaching techniques of gospel style of music, which is inclusive of commercial singing, pop, jazz, and R&B.
- Master classes with individual soloists and ensembles are featured.
Registration
General Registration Info
Non-USM Collegiate Students
- Fee: $15 per day (includes lunch).
- Registration Methods: Onsite or mail-in only.
Eligible for Free Admission
-
- PFTA Members
- Seniors
- USM Students
- High School Students
Regular Registration
- Fee: $55 (includes lunch for one day; lunch for the second day can be purchased onsite).
- Mail-in Deadline: Postmarked by Monday, January 27, 2025.
Registration Methods: Mail-in or onsite.
Registration Form: Replicate the form below and indicate the number of attendees in each category:
- Number of students: __________ at $___ = __________ Total (Regular)
- Number of teachers: __________ at $___ = __________ Total (Regular)
- Number of seniors: __________
- Number of non-teachers: __________
Note for Teachers
- The RHM Vocal Arts Symposium is approved for 1.2 CEUs. Please use the assigned Symposium Code # 10167 if you will need a CEU Certificate now or in the future. Payment of $16.50 for a CEU Certificate will be made after the Symposium has ended.
- Use Symposium Code #10167 to obtain a CEU Certificate, now or in the future.
- Payment of $16.50 for the CEU Certificate is due after the Symposium concludes.
How to Register for CEUs:
- Online Registration found here: SRESA - RHM Vocal Arts Symposium Registration (Login or create an account). Type 10167 in the search box.
- Follow the instructions provided.
For additional information about Symposium fees or CEU registration, refer to the contacts below.
- Make checks or money orders payable to:
The Southern Miss School of Music: for Vocal Arts and Science (VAS) - Mail your payment and completed registration form to:
ATTN: Mr. August Langley, Financial Manager
The RHM Vocal Arts & Science Symposium
The University of Southern Mississippi
School of Music
118 College Drive #5081
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001
Frequently Asked Questions
Symposium Participation
The symposium welcomes participants from a variety of backgrounds, including:
- Professional Organizations: Members of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) and Members of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA)
- Professionals: Private studio teachers, Professional singers (not affiliated with NATS or MTNA), Professional speakers, Speech and hearing specialists, and Voice specialists and otolaryngologists
- Educators: K-12 teachers, Choral directors, and Church music directors
- Performers: Actors and orators, Ministers, Forensics teams, Avocational singers (all musical styles), and Church choir members
- Students: High school, collegiate, and other students interested in voice.
This event is open to anyone interested in professional or avocational voice usage!
The primary objectives and outcomes are as follows:
- To give the community of both professional and avocational voice users and opportunity to hear from voice experts and physicians the importance of proper voice usage;
- To give the clinicians a relaxed setting in which to share medical information regarding drug interactions, surgeries, and information regarding various pathologies that may derive from allergies or various forms of abuse (known or unknown);
- To give the community and opportunity to ask questions of, receive information from, and socialize with voice professionals in a setting that would not normally be afforded them in a regular office visit;
- To build an awareness of (the importance of) proper voice habits in those who are orators, ministers, choir directors, teachers, and the avocational singers and voice users.
For teachers, please use the assigned symposium code (#10167) if you will need a CEU Certificate now or in the future, visit sresa.msresaservices.com.
Hilton Garden Inn
133 Plaza Drive
Hattiesburg, MS 39402
Please call 601.261.3770
Website
- Group Name: Vocal Arts & Science Symposium
- Rate: $121.00 (this rate includes breakfast; normally an additional cost)
- Reservation cut-off date for special rate: January 10, 2025
La Quinta Inn & Suites Hattiesburg (I-59)
109 Lundy Lane
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
Please call 769.223.6000
Website
- Group Name: Vocal Arts and Science
- Rate: $105 + tax, King | $105 + tax, 2 Queens
- Complimentary Breakfast
- Reservation cut-off date for special rate: January 16, 2025.
Hotel Indigo, Hattiesburg – Midtown
103 S. 30th Avenue
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
Please call 601.264.7709
- Group Name: Vocal Arts and Science
- Rate: $169 – Breakfast is not served
Airbnb – Melrose Place (Hostess, Raylawni Branch)
Contact Us
Dr. Kimberley Davis
Kimberley.DavisFREEMississippi
601.266.6941
Dr. Jonathan Yarrington
Jonathan.YarringtonFREEMississippi