ORANGEBURG, SC — Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School and Claflin University worked together to provide O-W choral students a day of activities focused on team building, vocal technique and music literacy last month at Claflin. Theme for the choral retreat was “Building a World Class Chorus.”
“It was a day of renewal and recommitment to the chorus,” said Sheneice D. Smith, director of choral music at Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School. “One of the most apparent and rewarding outcomes of this retreat was seeing my students build a unique and special bond with each other.”
Smith and Dr. Isaiah McGee, chairman of Claflin’s Music Department and choir director, collaborated to plan the activities. Claflin’s vocal music majors volunteered their time to lead team-building activities and sectional rehearsals while McGee facilitated sessions on skills and techniques needed to become proficient in a chorus. McGee’s students taught the O-W singers to expand their vocal ranges, improve the quality of their tone, develop skills for breath control and use correct vowel placement.
Team-building activities focused on trust and reinforcement of commitment to the organization’s shared goals and objectives. The university’s students discussed how having a “team” mentality results in a positive and productive rehearsal environment.
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