AN APPRAISAL OF VOICE STUDIES IN NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES

Abstract

This study presents a review of the teaching and learning of voice as instrument of study in Nigerian Universities. Department of Music, University of Nigeria, Nsukka is the location of the study while relevant data were drawn from Departments of Music in South Eastern Nigeria for a balanced view. The teaching methods, form, scope, outcomes, attitudes, quality of teaching and learning skills were considered. The study employed a combination of Qualitative and Quantitative research methods. It was discovered from the study that most teachers of voice are not voice specialists and therefore do not handle voice pedagogy in the appropriate manner. The music curricula in the Departments do not clearly state how voice teaching should be handled. Based on the research findings it was recommended that voice specialists be given the responsibility of teaching voice as is the case with other instruments. It was proposed that the curriculum be reviewed to reflect aspects of voice to be learnt at different points/levels in the learning programme. In our opinion, in the absence of voice specialists, voice lecturers should undergo special training in vocal teaching for effective teaching and learning of voice to take place.