Men’s and women’s choirs are often considered beginner ensembles in major choral programs across the country. As a result, singers placed in these groups may view themselves as inferior. Such a perception can be detrimental to the success of these ensembles and should be avoided from the very beginning. This session will explore different approaches […]
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Programming for Choral Success: What They Sing is What You Get
This session will detail principles that choral educators can use to select great repertoire that is appropriate for a specific choir. The session will also explore how choosing appropriate repertoire can aid the development of musicianship and vocal technique in fulfillment of national and state music standards. A generous resource packet will include resources for […]
K-12 Music in Worship— A New Paradigm
The basics of making a paradigm shift in how we do music in worship are most fascinating. With a philosophical shift in the traditional understanding of working with you that church, in music/arts, one can have a successful music/arts program with as many students as a facility can handle. Recruiting (students and teachers), budget preparation, […]
It’s All About the Air: Energize and Focus Voices for a Beautiful Tone
How can we achieve an optimal vocal sound from our students? Learn how movement, solfège, vocalises, vowel choice, conducting gestures, and repertoire can transform the sound of your classroom singers and elementary choir. Hear the results as demonstrated on video clips from Theresa Derr’s non-auditioned school choir of students in grades 3-5.
Immediate Video Feedback in the Conducting Classroom
Conducting is communication, often through physical gesture. Frequently, young conductors can verbally articulate the desired musical idea but have trouble communicating that clearly through physical motion. Incorporating immediate video-feedback in the conducting classroom can assist students with critical observations, self-reflection, and implicit understanding of their own gestures. Instead of recording a conducting example only to […]
Handel’s Messiah: Warm-ups for Successful Performance
Teaching singers the vocalisms of a choral masterwork can be assisted by using rehearsal warm-ups crafted from the composition itself. This session will use the choruses from Handel’s Messiah to demonstrate how easy it is to design repertoire-specific exercises and how using them can be much more effective than using generic warm-ups. Participants in this […]
