At Any Level: Developing Comprehensive Music Literacy Skills

“At Any Level” is designed for directors across all settings within the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) in mind. This initiative is rooted in the belief that enhancing music literacy is fundamental to the success of any chorus or choir program. The session is crafted to arm directors with an arsenal of practical tools and innovative tricks to elevate the music literacy skills of their ensembles. By focusing on the foundational aspects of music theory, ear training, and sight-reading skills, “At Any Level” aims to demystify the way music is taught and learned in the choral rehearsal by using tried and true pedagogy and scaffolding techniques. The core of the session is centered around a comprehensive approach that begins “from the ground up – day one.” This approach underscores the importance of building a strong foundation in music literacy from the very first day, ensuring that every member of the ensemble is equipped with the skills needed to read and interpret music fluently. Through an interactive and hands-on demonstration, directors will be introduced to effective strategies for teaching music theory in a way that is engaging and accessible to all students. Additionally, the session will delve into ear training exercises used in rehearsal to sharpen listening skills, ensemble skills, and enhance musical intuition – thus enabling singers to accurately pitch notes and harmonize with confidence. Furthermore, “At Any Level” places a significant emphasis on the development of music reading skills. Recognizing the challenges that come with reading music at first sight, the session offers a step-by-step guide to becoming more proficient at teaching this crucial skill. Session participants will be taken through “day-in-the-life” scenarios of sight reading lessons of progressively challenging exercises and sight reading scenarios. Ideally, by the end of the session, directors will have gained valuable insights and techniques to not only boost the music literacy of their programs but also to inspire a lifelong love for music among their students. “At Any Level” is an essential session for directors looking to make a impact on their programs through enhanced music literacy skill building. By focusing on music theory, ear training, and sight-reading skills from the outset, this session aims to equip directors with the skills necessary to foster a culture of musical excellence, and affirm veteran teachers of their current practices.