Developing sight-reading skills can be a difficult task for many teachers. ChoralEd episode 20 shares some general suggestions for enhancing your sight-reading pedagogy. Teachers frequently develop sight-reading skills during a dedicated sight-reading time. However, it is highly beneficial to incorporate music literacy skills throughout the entire class. Elements of solfège (or your preferred system) should […]
ChoralEd
ChoralEd: The Three Primary Sight-Reading Methods
In American choral music three sight-reading methods are most commonly utilized by educators. These methodologies include Moveable “Do,” Fixed “Do,” and Numbers, with Moveable “Do” being the most common. As choral educators begin their career, they must decide which method to incorporate in the classroom. Not all methods are equal as each has its own […]
ChoralEd: Teacher Vocal Health
In episode 18 of ChoralEd, Lizette Ochoa shares how teachers can best care for their voice amidst the vocal strains of everyday teaching. As the school year progresses, Ms. Ochoa suggests self-monitoring your voice for any vocal change such as loss of range, raspiness, or fatigue. Teachers should seek medical attention if these vocal issues […]
ChoralEd: Fun Vocal Exercises
As students enter the choral classroom, they often arrive from classes in which they passively listen to lectures or complete bookwork. In contrast to these uninspired lessons, it is advantageous for teachers to incorporate at least one fun vocal exercise in each rehearsal to promote an enjoyable classroom environment. ChoralEd, Episode 17 features a demonstration […]
ChoralEd: Vocal Exercises, Ensemble Cohesion
In ChoralEd Episode 16 Vicki Bailey shares some vocal exercises for the development of ensemble cohesion. Ms. Bailey suggests the use of kinesthetic movement as a means to enhance an ensemble’s collective musical experience. Kinesthetic activities to internalize the pulse include gently tapping the shoulder of a neighbor or walking in tempo. Additional kinesthetic activities […]
ChoralEd: Vocal Exercises, Episode 14-15
In episode 14 and 15 of ChoralEd we continue our series on vocal exercises with a discussion of vocal warm-ups for tone development and mental activation. In Episode 14, Heather Orr discusses her incorporation of vocal exercises for tone development. In conjunction with each vocal exercise, Mrs. Orr frequently incorporates kinesthetic movement. In general, the […]