For some reason now. It's just mute while it tells me what new shout I learned. Anyone else experience this?

use mods?

I think it's happened to me like.. Twice on Xbox360. But it usually plays for me.

same

thats a real downer, its the best part of getting a new shout.
of course it could be that the choir thats been following you around is on leave.

I think it's more an entire orchestra... actually, this explains why the Bard College is small and short, most of its members are following the player around and supplying appropriate music

Same.