ChorTeach Index Spotlight: Classroom & Curriculum

ChorTeach is ACDA’s quarterly publication for choral conductors and teachers at all levels. It is published online, and each issue contains four practical articles. If you are not already a member of ACDA, you can join as an Associate for $45 per year and receive access to ChorTeach and the Choral Journal online.

Last year I created an annotated ChorTeach index with seventeen categories for classification. A sample of the articles found in the “Classroom & Curriculum” category are below. To find any of these articles, click here and use the dropdown menu.

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“Adolescent Voice Change: Frustration or Celebration” by Sandra Stegman and Tracey Nycz; Vol 8. Issue 2, Winter 2016
This article offers methods grounded in research and a real-world classroom for accepting and celebrating the changing voice.

“An Ear for an Eye—Learning from a Blind Conducting Student” by Ian Loeppky; Vol 2. Issue 2, Winter 2010
Proving that “music is first and foremost an auditory experience,” this article explores what happened when the author taught conducting to a blind student.

“Assessment in the Choral Classroom—New Options Using Technology” by Trisha Scheidies; Vol 5. Issue 3, Spring 2013
The author of this article explores ways to administer assessments based on RISE requirements and a new district-wide rubric.

“Battling the October Blues: Stimulus Variation in Rehearsals” by Erin Colwitz; Vol 6. Issue 4, Summer 2014
This article offers a list of ways you can continue to be the best teacher/conductor you can be while also motivating your students.

“Beg, Borrow, and Steal: A Survival Guide for the Rural Choral Teacher” by Elizabeth Batey; Vol 8. Issue 1, Fall 2015
The author of this article shares tips for professional development, networking, fundraising, and more that have garnered success in a rural classroom.

“Beyond the ‘Bass-ics’ in Junior High/Middle School Music Programs” by Sarah Marohl; Vol 1. Issue 4, Spring 2009
This article encourages collaboration between the entire music department—yes, including the band director!—to foster a unique learning environment for students and teachers.

“Challenge Your Singers and They Challenge Each Other” by Travis Rogers; Vol 5. Issue 4, Summer 2013
The author of this article shares a rehearsal process he used with his choirs to increase focus and a healthy attitude of competition as it relates to improving their singing abilities.

“Choir Member Placement and Its Acoustic Effects” by Margaret M. Woods; Vol 7. Issue 4, Summer 2015
Discover ways to create the best possible choral sound by examining the effects of singer placement within a choral ensemble. This article offers suggestions for spacing and formation and provides practical tips for implementation in the rehearsal.

“Choral Pedagogy in the 21st Century: Shared Control in College and University Choirs” by Micah Dalbey; Vol 3. Issue 3, Spring 2011
This article discusses student-led learning and suggests that it is important to create a proper balance between a conductor who has control of the classroom and a student who has control of his or her learning.

“Communicating with Parents—Help for Music Teachers” by Susan Dill; Vol 7. Issue 2, Winter 2015
This article offers practical communication strategies to help choir directors initiate and foster constructive communication with parents. A sample handbook and strategies for conflict resolution are included.

“Creating an Inclusive and Safe Choir Room” by Christopher Larson; Vol 6. Issue 4, Summer 2014
This article lists seven steps to take toward making music rehearsals, classroom spaces, and performances a safe place for all students “to sing, to thrive, and to belong.”

“Cross-Curricular Instruction in the Choral Classroom” by Andrew Bruhn; Vol 8, Issue 4, Summer 2016
This article explores the fact that music education is innately cross-curricular. A general outline of the author’s approach to teaching a foreign language work is included.

“Developing Tone Quality in Middle and High School Choral Ensembles” by Karen Willie; Vol 5. Issue 1, Fall 2012
The author of this article offers ideas and techniques to attempt in the choral classroom for addressing healthy tone production.

“Dynamic (and Effective) Teaching with Junior High/Middle School Singers” by Karen Sims; Vol 3. Issue 1, Fall 2010
This article contains a list of tips for effective and dynamic teaching at the junior high/middle school level.