In this session, Janet Galván will demonstrate ways to strengthen vocal technique, musicianship, musical understanding, and enhancement of musical performance through movement. Galván will involve participants in unique and meaningful movement activities that will help singers to internalize the music. Specifically, movement ideas will be presented to address breath management, vowels, consonants, tension, body energy, […]
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Ten Keys to Unlocking Artistic Choral Performances
This session will explore a multitude of ways to improve the artistry of choral performances. Issues to be addressed include melodic shape and phrasing, choosing and interpreting text, conducting gesture and artistry, tone color, movement, articulation and dynamics, the teacher as first artist, and the impact of interpersonal relationships on artistry. Participants will receive a […]
Taking the Pain Out of Sight-Singing!
While almost every choral director wants musically literate musicians, the sight-singing process can often be a vulnerable and downright painful one, especially for middle and high school choristers. This interactive session will provide teachers with a practical and comprehensive Music Learning Theory-based skill set that will make sight-singing accessible, enjoyable, and successful, thus inspiring confidence, […]
Recruiting and Retaining Adolescent Males in Urban School
Gender studies have shown that boys and girls respond to school music differently; generally boys are less interested and involved in music, especially choral programs. Singing in a school choir for a male can sometimes carry gender stereotypes that exist for their male counterparts who play instruments that are stereotypically labeled as feminine—i.e., flute. Sexual […]
The Quest for Quality Literature
In a time when more sheet music is available than ever before, it seems the variety of composers, texts, and musical styles appearing on concert programs and in retailers’ catalogs may be becoming more limited. “Repertoire is essential to what the choir will become and what the conductor will become.” Dale Warland’s words remind us […]
Performance Practice: A Linguistic Approach to Dialect Found in Spirituals
The interpretation of a piece of music is dependent on a number of factors that may include its melody, harmony, and rhythm. However, in the area of choral music it is the text that serves as a defining characteristic. The pronunciation and interpretation of text is key to understanding its meaning and cultural interpretation. One […]
