In his article, “Turn! Turn! Turn! To Everything There is a Season” (Central Division Resound Vol.36, No.1), Bill Zurkey (himself a former football coach), discusses one of the fundamental skills of choral music: Sight Reading.
The director must choose sight reading materials that will meet the needs of the choirs and which will continue to stimulate improvement in this critical skill. My Michigan friends will be happy to know that I have chosen the Thomas Stokes sight reading course. I purchased all levels written for high school and am able to duplicate the pages as needed for each choir. I have chosen to use solfege with moveable do. I chose solfege instead of numbers because of the syllables students utilize. It is easier to sing “fi” than “sharp 4” on an eighth note, for example. However, choose what works for you.
It’s important that students experience a feeling of accomplishment after every sight reading session. If you have to rehearse sight reading, your materials are too difficult. Regroup. Use simpler melodies, and you’ll see progress and better attitudes. And soon, you will have surpassed the sight reading level that caused earlier frustration. Important: Remember to be positive during sight reading exercises!
(For additional articles on a dazzling array of choral topics, visit ChorTeach.)
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