Singing for Musical Theatre & Singing for Contemporary Singing (Pop)
Programme of Studies
Programme of Studies
The Urdang International Awards Singing for Musical Theatre and Singing for Contemporary Singing (Pop) Programmes of Study provide a structured and progressive training pathway designed to develop confident, expressive, and technically skilled vocal performers.
The Urdang International Awards Singing for Musical Theatre and Singing for Contemporary Singing (Pop) Programmes of Study provide a structured and progressive training pathway designed to develop confident, expressive, and technically skilled vocal performers.
These programmes support singers in developing strong vocal technique alongside interpretative and performance skills, preparing candidates for both live performance and professional progression within the musical theatre and contemporary music industries.
While the Musical Theatre programme focuses on storytelling through song and character interpretation, the Contemporary Singing (Pop) programme develops vocal versatility, stylistic awareness, and personal artistic identity within modern commercial music genres.
Both programmes are available from Entry Level through to Advanced Grade 8, supporting candidates from beginner through to pre-professional standard.
These programmes support singers in developing strong vocal technique alongside interpretative and performance skills, preparing candidates for both live performance and professional progression within the musical theatre and contemporary music industries.
While the Musical Theatre programme focuses on storytelling through song and character interpretation, the Contemporary Singing (Pop) programme develops vocal versatility, stylistic awareness, and personal artistic identity within modern commercial music genres.
Both programmes are available from Entry Level through to Advanced Grade 8, supporting candidates from beginner through to pre-professional standard.
Singing for Musical Theatre
Singing for Musical Theatre
Aims of the Programme
Aims of the Programme
The Singing for Musical Theatre Programme aims to:
Promote an understanding of the key qualities, disciplines, and vocal techniques required for Musical Theatre performance, including characterisation and storytelling through song.
Provide a safe, structured, and progressive training pathway, enabling candidates to develop the technical, expressive, and performance skills required to become confident and capable performers.
Guide candidates through a systematic and professional training programme, preparing them for auditions into full-time vocational training, conservatoires, and potential entry into the professional performing arts industry.
Encourage intellectual engagement with Musical Theatre repertoire and performance practice, fostering self-reflection, artistic awareness, and ongoing personal and creative development.
Develop confidence, performance discipline, and professional presentation skills appropriate to audition and performance environments.
The Singing for Musical Theatre Programme aims to:
Promote an understanding of the key qualities, disciplines, and vocal techniques required for Musical Theatre performance, including characterisation and storytelling through song.
Provide a safe, structured, and progressive training pathway, enabling candidates to develop the technical, expressive, and performance skills required to become confident and capable performers.
Guide candidates through a systematic and professional training programme, preparing them for auditions into full-time vocational training, conservatoires, and potential entry into the professional performing arts industry.
Encourage intellectual engagement with Musical Theatre repertoire and performance practice, fostering self-reflection, artistic awareness, and ongoing personal and creative development.
Develop confidence, performance discipline, and professional presentation skills appropriate to audition and performance environments.
Objectives of the Programme
Objectives of the Programme
The objectives of the Singing for Musical Theatre Programme are to enable candidates to:
Develop transferable skills including communication, confidence, adaptability, and discipline, supporting both performance and broader professional readiness.
Build and refine technical singing skills, including:
Vocal technique and control
Breath management and tone production
Vocal projection and clarity
Movement and physical awareness
Character development and acting through song
Interpret lyrics and communicate narrative and emotional intention effectively within performance.
Demonstrate the ability to act through song, integrating vocal and dramatic performance skills.
Perform with confidence, musical accuracy, and expressive intention appropriate to the style and context of the repertoire.
The objectives of the Singing for Musical Theatre Programme are to enable candidates to:
Develop transferable skills including communication, confidence, adaptability, and discipline, supporting both performance and broader professional readiness.
Build and refine technical singing skills, including:
Vocal technique and control
Breath management and tone production
Vocal projection and clarity
Movement and physical awareness
Character development and acting through song
Interpret lyrics and communicate narrative and emotional intention effectively within performance.
Demonstrate the ability to act through song, integrating vocal and dramatic performance skills.
Perform with confidence, musical accuracy, and expressive intention appropriate to the style and context of the repertoire.
Contemporary Singing (Pop) Programme of Study
Contemporary Singing (Pop) Programme of Study
Aims
Aims
The Contemporary Singing (Pop) Programme aims to:
Promote an understanding of the vocal qualities, stylistic characteristics, and performance techniques required for contemporary commercial music performance.
Provide a progressive and supportive training pathway for developing confident, technically secure, and expressive contemporary singers.
Prepare candidates for performance opportunities, auditions, recording environments, and vocational training.
Encourage the development of artistic individuality, personal vocal identity, and stylistic awareness.
Foster creative exploration and understanding of contemporary vocal styles and performance practice.
The Contemporary Singing (Pop) Programme aims to:
Promote an understanding of the vocal qualities, stylistic characteristics, and performance techniques required for contemporary commercial music performance.
Provide a progressive and supportive training pathway for developing confident, technically secure, and expressive contemporary singers.
Prepare candidates for performance opportunities, auditions, recording environments, and vocational training.
Encourage the development of artistic individuality, personal vocal identity, and stylistic awareness.
Foster creative exploration and understanding of contemporary vocal styles and performance practice.
Objectives
Objectives
The objectives of the Contemporary Singing Programme are to enable candidates to:
Develop strong technical vocal foundations, including breath control, tone, pitch accuracy, and vocal flexibility.
Demonstrate stylistic understanding appropriate to contemporary genres, including pop, commercial, and modern vocal styles.
Communicate emotional intention and meaning through vocal performance.
Develop performance confidence and stage presence.
Demonstrate musicality, phrasing, and interpretative awareness.
Develop individual vocal identity and artistic expression.
The objectives of the Contemporary Singing Programme are to enable candidates to:
Develop strong technical vocal foundations, including breath control, tone, pitch accuracy, and vocal flexibility.
Demonstrate stylistic understanding appropriate to contemporary genres, including pop, commercial, and modern vocal styles.
Communicate emotional intention and meaning through vocal performance.
Develop performance confidence and stage presence.
Demonstrate musicality, phrasing, and interpretative awareness.
Develop individual vocal identity and artistic expression.
Examination Structure
Examination Structure
Examinations include:
Prepared songs appropriate to the selected programme and grade level
Technical vocal exercises (where applicable)
Performance demonstrating vocal technique, interpretation, and communication
Viva Voce discussion with the examiner regarding the performance material
Candidates are assessed on:
Vocal technique and control
Musical accuracy and phrasing
Interpretation and emotional communication
Performance confidence and presence
Understanding of performance material
Examinations include:
Prepared songs appropriate to the selected programme and grade level
Technical vocal exercises (where applicable)
Performance demonstrating vocal technique, interpretation, and communication
Viva Voce discussion with the examiner regarding the performance material
Candidates are assessed on:
Vocal technique and control
Musical accuracy and phrasing
Interpretation and emotional communication
Performance confidence and presence
Understanding of performance material
Progression and Development
Progression and Development
The graded structure supports progressive development:
Entry and Foundation Levels
Introduction to vocal technique and performance
Development of confidence and basic performance skills
Intermediate Levels
Development of vocal control and stylistic understanding
Increased performance confidence and interpretative ability
Advanced Levels (Grades 6–8)
Mature vocal technique and expressive performance
Advanced interpretation and artistic individuality
Preparation for vocational training and professional performance
The graded structure supports progressive development:
Entry and Foundation Levels
Introduction to vocal technique and performance
Development of confidence and basic performance skills
Intermediate Levels
Development of vocal control and stylistic understanding
Increased performance confidence and interpretative ability
Advanced Levels (Grades 6–8)
Mature vocal technique and expressive performance
Advanced interpretation and artistic individuality
Preparation for vocational training and professional performance
Skills Developed Through the Programme
Skills Developed Through the Programme
Candidates develop:
Vocal technique and performance skills
Musicality and expressive communication
Confidence and stage presence
Artistic interpretation and emotional expression
Professional performance awareness
These skills support progression into:
Vocational performing arts training
Conservatoire and theatre school auditions
Professional performance opportunities
Urdang International Professional Diploma qualifications
Candidates develop:
Vocal technique and performance skills
Musicality and expressive communication
Confidence and stage presence
Artistic interpretation and emotional expression
Professional performance awareness
These skills support progression into:
Vocational performing arts training
Conservatoire and theatre school auditions
Professional performance opportunities
Urdang International Professional Diploma qualifications
Introduce Urdang International Awards Singing Programmes at Your School
Introduce Urdang International Awards Singing Programmes at Your School
If you are interested in offering the Urdang International Awards Singing for Musical Theatre or Contemporary Singing (Pop) Programmes at your school, college, or performing arts organisation, please contact us
If you are interested in offering the Urdang International Awards Singing for Musical Theatre or Contemporary Singing (Pop) Programmes at your school, college, or performing arts organisation, please contact us
The Urdang International Awards Singing Programmes provide a progressive and industry-relevant pathway for developing confident, technically skilled, and expressive vocal performers prepared for further training and professional opportunities.
Get in touch with our team to discuss your needs and find the right pathway for you
Get in touch with our team to discuss your needs and find the right pathway for you
Get in touch with our team to discuss your needs and find the right pathway for you
Get in touch with our team to discuss your needs and find the right pathway for you
