In Part 2 of our three-part series on the boy’s changing voice Dr. Terry J. Barham provides insight into the voice test process. When determining a boy’s voice part, Dr. Barham suggests the teacher establish a welcoming environment, completing the voice test individually (although group settings are also acceptable). To begin, identify the student’s spoken […]
ChoralEd: The Boy’s Changing Voice, Part 1 – The Voice Change
The boy’s changing voice is challenging to navigate for both teacher and student. In this three-part series, Dr. Terry J. Barham discusses strategies for working with adolescent boys during the voice change process. In Part 1, Dr. Barham discusses the developmental vocal changes that occur during adolescence and encourages open communication with students about their […]
ChoralEd: Alternative Sight-Reading Activities
Daily sight-reading in the choral classroom is a beneficial instructional practice that promotes music literacy skills. However, this pedagogical approach is, at times, disinteresting to students due to the repetitive use of exercises from a methods book. While consistency is important when teaching music literacy, variety is also beneficial, providing students with a new and […]
ChoralEd: Audiation/Inner Hearing
Audiation (also called inner hearing) is the process in which pitch is produced internally in the mind of the musician, with no sound being produced out loud, and is an important skill that should be developed in singers. In all vocal production, singers must first audiate all the musical elements (pitch, rhythm, text, vowel, dynamic, […]
ChoralEd: Creative Approaches to Moveable “Do” Sight-Reading
In episode 25 of ChoralEd, Dr. Nathan Dame shares creative approaches to moveable-do sight-reading. When implementing moveable-do in the classroom, Dr. Dame encourages a sequential instructional approach that develops musicianship skills. For the beginning choir, this instructional sequence includes: Step 1: Count Rhythms Step 2: Figure out starting solfège based on the key signature Step […]
ChoralEd: Sight-Reading, Numbers
In ChoralEd Episode 24, Robert Westerberg discusses the numbers sight-reading method. When selecting a sight-reading method to implement in your classroom, it’s important to consider your student population. If your ensemble incorporates a wide range of age and ability levels or frequently includes new students, then numbers may be a great option for your program. […]