In this session, the sound-to-symbol learning sequence will be applied to tonal reading. To aid the development of aural/oral tonal skills, a sequence of vocal pitch exercises will be presented in a graphic form that can be utilized via overhead transparencies or an LCD project. Teaching strategies and activities for developing tonal audition, musical memory, […]
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Building Literacy and Musicianship Skills into the Choral Rehearsal: Takadimi and Beyond
Working from the premise that singers learn musical skills in much the same order as they do language skills, participants will explore how we learn music through hearing and imitating patterns before reading and writing. The Takadimi rhythm-pedagogy system will be addressed and specific techniques for developing rhythm reading readiness, literacy, audition, musical memory, dictation, […]
Building an Ensemble
Living up to its architectural name, Clerestory has built its unconducted, undirected musical democracy from the ground up. The ensemble will share its techniques and practices for programming, rehearsing without a leader, verbal and musical communication, listening from within, and building group knowledge and memory. Clerestory encourages singers to take their eyes off the score […]
The Bridge to Somewhere: Using Performance Repertoire as a Vehicle to Develop Music Reading Skills
Though many of us spend time teaching sight-singing at the beginning of each choral rehearsal, students are not always able to see how the skills they build during this time impact the learning and performance of choral repertoire. In this session, choral pieces will be used to construct music reading exercises and activities that apply […]
BodySinging: Moving Singers Toward More Expressive Choral Performance
This session will focus on the musical, emotional, and expressive development of choral singers through the integration of the vocal/physical connection in rehearsal and performance. The session will include demonstration and discussion of how building “body-voices” allows singers to feel, express, and understand the deep meaning in the music they are singing. Through the gentle […]
Behind the Scenes with the Czech Boys Choir
The conductors of the Czech Boys Choir and Young Men’s Ensemble will provide an in-depth picture of the ensembles. They will address topics such as recruitment, vocal development of technique for unchanged and changing voices, and boychoir performance practices. They will also introduce central European choral music by contemporary composers suitable for boys choirs.
