Ask a Conductor: Activities for the Classroom

ChorTeach is ACDA’s quarterly online publication, designed for those who work with singers of all levels. Every ChorTeach issue includes a section called “Ask a Conductor,” which is a reader-generated Q&A format where readers submit questions related to teaching, conducting, rehearsing with, or singing with K-12 students. Three to five educators who either currently work in K-12 or who have past experience in K-12 will answer the question. The summer issue of ChorTeach addresses the following question: What are some ice breakers/community-building activities I can use for our first choir rehearsal of the season? My choir is very new and unsure of the idea of choir warm-ups and singing together with each other. A sample of the answers are below. You can submit questions by following the QR code linked in the article at acda.org/chorteach (choose the Summer 2022 issue)
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Maria A. Ellis: When working with an elementary choir, one of the first activities I use is “Lean Forward/Lean Backwards.” This activity has singing, movement, and lots of smiles. I ask the students to mirror me as I demonstrate how to “lean” in the various directions. I make it a point to demonstrate how to “lean,” as I do not want any student to fall or to bump another student. After the students understand the directions, I sing the lyrics and have the students move with me: “Lean forward, lean backwards to the left, to the right; hands up, hands down to the left to the right. Lean forward, lean backwards to the left, to the right; hands up, hands down to the left to the right.” Once the students start moving, I invite them to sing with me.

Jackson Hill: Below are descriptions of three activities I incorporate into my rehearsals throughout the first week each year. All of them require no materials, have easy-to-explain rules, are a great way to physically and mentally engage students, and allow teachers to demonstrate that voices can be used in unfamiliar ways and it can be fun.

Ian Tapson: Creating a safe rehearsal space is crucial when working with musicians no matter the age or experience together as an ensemble! The more your musicians trust themselves, each other, and of course, you as the conductor, the more connected they will be to the music-making process. Although we are anxious for their first sound as a choir, we must see past the voices in the room and invest in the hearts of those who make the music. Begin by selecting activities that require little social investment at first. One of my favorites is the activity “This or That” or “Would You Rather?” Using a list of prompts, the director or assigned leader calls out “would you rather…” and the students will move to either side of the room based on their response. This is a great way for students to see shared interests without pushing them out of their comfort zone.

William George-Twyman: One of the best ways to get to know the sections is during the voicing process. I always keep the other sections in the room while we go through and listen to every singer in various combinations until we fi nd the correct sound for that group. Even if you don’t do full voicing on day one, it’s helpful to at least go around and hear everyone sing something individually or as a section. I’m also reiterating each singer’s name out loud while I do this so that everyone (including me) begins to associate names, faces, and voices.

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Read or download ChorTeach online at acda.org/publications/chorteach or by clicking here. You must be an ACDA member and logged into the website with your username and password.