Choral Caffeine: The Need to Stay Alert

Earlier this month, we discussed the unique opportunity one colleague had in teaching conducting to a sightless student.  But what if one of your choral students wasn’t blind, but rather suffered from an undiagnosed spatial disorder?

 

Jeffrey Kiston discusses his first-hand experience with the matter in his article, “Spatial Disorders and Dyslexia in the Choral Classroom” (North Central Melisma, Vol. 30 No.2).  His alertness and diligence helped a student get the help that corrected a severely limiting problem.

 

“It pains me to think that [some students go] through almost their entire schooling experience suffering with severe visual disabilities. All of us music educators should be alert to signs of learning disabilities. You can make a huge difference in the lives of students by being proactive and caring. How sad it is that some of our students with visual disabilities are called dumb or stupid or worse when a correct diagnosis and/or glasses can completely change the situation and give hope and a new life to a person. Even if you are labeled a quack by those who are supposed to be helping and advising students at your school, be a strong and persevering advocate. Being observant when around your students may be all it takes. Believe in them and their resilience. You can be instrumental in opening up an entirely new world for students who struggle with disabilities.”

 

(To access the full article, simply click the highlighted title. For additional articles on a dazzling array of choral topics, visit ChorTeach.)