Diverse and inclusive practices must be applied to the development of choral tone. By intentionally crafting exercises, we can develop a young choir’s tonal palate to perform all musical selections with integrity. This session will introduce a format to develop skills with singers ages 8-13, with applications for older singers. Using an approach that seeks to be culturally responsive and culturally expansive, we will address alignment, respiration, aural skills, and vocalization in a variety of timbres that can be applied to a diverse range of repertoire styles. This approach has grown out of the presenter’s process as a white conductor to embrace the music-making backgrounds of students and the emsemble’s diverse repertoire. Directors will leave with exercises to implement, strategies that encourage singers, and conducting gestures that evoke nuances of color and style.
Exercises to Diversify Tone and Style with Young Singers
Kimberly Douchette
Kimberly Doucette has been artistic director of the Wilmington Children's Chorus (WCC) since 2009, after joining the staff as associate director in 2005. Doucette oversees WCC's artistic and educational programs, which provide tuition-free music education to over 700 children annually. Under her leadership, WCC has solidified its reputation for vocal artistry, musical excellence, and community connections. Doucette holds bachelor's degrees in music education and voice performance from The Pennsylvania State University and a master's in voice performance from the University of Delaware. She is certified in elementary general music by The Gordon Institute for Music Learning and has served as a presenter, clinician, and adjudicator for regional festivals and conferences.
