ChorTeach Index Spotlight: Elementary Choir

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.

The annotated ChorTeach index (found here) has seventeen categories for classification. A list of the articles found in the “Elementary Choir” category is below. To find any of these articles, click here and use the dropdown menu.
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“Extraordinary Elementary Singing on a Shoestring Budget” by Christy Elsner; Vol 3. Issue 4, Summer 2011

This article is for directors in elementary music classrooms who are interested in transforming and rejuvenating their singers at little to no cost.

“Let Music Hug Your Soul Today—A Message to Elementary Music Teachers” by Karen Bryan; Vol 6. Issue 2, Winter 2014
The author of this article shares “huggable moments” from her career that will inspire you to consider important personal moments from your own career.

“Looking Back, Teaching Forward: Using Folk Songs to Teach Culture, History, and Music in the Elementary Classroom” by David Row; Vol 7. Issue 3, Spring 2015

This article introduces the concept of using folk songs to teach difficult concepts and provides suggestions for activities that elementary music educators can try with singers.

“Reading and Singing—Elementary Teachers, Take Note” by Debra Johnson; Vol 9. Issue 4, Summer 2017.
Reading books and stories in your classroom can help elementary-aged singers explore their voices and singing, even if the books are not specifically associated with music. The author of this article shares some of her favorite vocal exploration books.

“Teaching Habits of Mind in Youth Choirs: Adapting A Mind-set for Learning to Enhance the Choral Experience” by Lindsey Blackhurst; Vol 10. Issue 2, Winter 2018.
Using as a framework the ideas provided by Kristine Mraz and Christine Hertz in their guide for the elementary classroom teacher, this article discusses practical implementation to fostering a mind-set of learning within a choral ensemble.

“The Shy Non-Singer—Elementary Teachers, Take Note!” by Michele Hobizal; Vol 8. Issue 3, Spring 2016

This article offers practical activities and suggestions for vocal exploration that will turn even the shyest singer into one who auditions for next year’s school musical.

“Two Basics: Intonation and Reading Skills for Children’s Choirs” by Sandra Mathias; Vol 2. Issue 4, Summer 2010

This article offers suggestions for two basics of teaching a children’s choir: intonation and reading skills.

“Voices in your Head: A Method for Teaching Audiation in the Secondary Choral Classroom” by Micah Bland; Vol 10. Issue 4, Summer 2018

The author suggests that audiation is a fundamental part of a student’s musical development. Vocal exercises, audiation in sight-singing, and potential challenges are all discussed.

“Working with Honor/Festival Choirs: One Conductor’s Perspective” by Terry J. Barham; Vol 3. Issue 4, Summer 2011

The authorof this article shares suggestions for conducting honor and festival choirs atthe elementary, middle, and high school levels.
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Find these (and more!) ChorTeach articles here.