Ethnic & Multicultural Perspectives R&S Standards

Ethnic & Multicultural Perspectives R&S Standards
Sharon Davis Gratto, National Chair

May, 2009

1. Repertoire
   
   1. Informed repertoire selection, preparation, and performance
   2. Presentation accompaniments – instrumental accompaniment; related movement
   3. Being informed about and transmitting the music’s historical and cultural context
   4. Identify ‘informants’ from the culture
2. Choral/Vocal Production
   
   1. Vocal Health related to diverse singing styles found in world music
   2. Intonation & Tuning – non-traditional scales and vocal tuning must be understood and are important
   3. Styles that require varied types vocal production
   4. Begin with good basic vocal technique and expand singers’ experiences and vocal education from there
3. Rehearsal Techniques and Instruction
   
   1. Instruction through the oral/aural tradition
   2. Use of technology in learning process
   3. Deciphering the printed page
   4. Appropriate use of terminology and vocabulary (avoid using words such as “Third World,” “Non-Western,” “other music”)
   5. Attention to cultural sensitivity
   6. Accuracy and authenticity
4. Professional Growth and Development
   
   1. Copyright literacy
   2. Networking to learn about diverse choral repertoire and world cultures
   3. Broader range of languages to translate and pronounce
5. Recruitment & Retention
   
   1. Recruitment challenges of non-traditional ensembles – the world music ensemble ‘unknown’
   2. Addressing the needs of students whose sole interest may be in world music repertoire or ensemble – challenges to participation requirements of the traditional choral program
   3. This repertoire may provide access to choral music for all singers and help certain individuals feel values in ways they had not felt in the past
6. In Performance
   
   1. Audience Development & Education – use ‘informances’ to involve and inform audiences
   2. Have as a performance goal more than homogenization in balance & blend; add conviction, energy and passion to performances in ways found in the culture of origin; seek a broader definition of ‘good choral singing’
   3. Stress that this diverse repertoire is as important as any other music singers perform
7. Advocacy – Establish a goal to develop support for world choral music all around you, including during challenging political and related challenging economic times