This valuable collection of quick-to-read yet deeply insightful strategies is like finding expert trade secrets from around the world all placed in one easy source. With outstanding records of performance, workshop clinics, recordings, research, composition, leadership, and teaching, the 57 authors provide their favorite "recipes" that range from overviews of successful programs to specific topics that will inspire all levels and types of choirs. The directors include Ronald Boender, Simon Carrington, Rollo A. Dilworth, Mary Goetz, Henry Leck, Diane Loomer, Weston Noble, Paris Rutherford, Z. Randall Stroope and many, many others.

Songlist: Foreword, Acknowledgments, About the Authors, The Choral Gourmet: Music Selection and Presentation, A Cappella Vocal Jazz in Eight-Part Harmony, Pedagogical Pie, Does Your Verbal Feedback Nurture or Starve Your Students? Food for Thought, Increased Individual Learning in the Ensemble Setting through Problem Solving, It's All in the Ingredients: Considerations for Choosing Repertoire, Tasting the Text: The Missing Ingredient, Putting the Zest Back Into Intonation: Alternatives to Simmering or Stewing in the Choral Rehearsal, Invitation Etiquette: The Do's of Building Choral Participation, Kinesthetics and Movement in the Choral Rehearsal, Diction al Dente: Preparing Texts "To Taste", Learning About Music While Learning the Music, Vowel Modification for a Resonant and Healthy Tone, Enhancement of Choir Sound through Ensemble Spacing, A Recipe for Sight-Singing Success, How to Get Your Ensemble to Make M.U.S.I.C., Soup & Salad: Improving Sight-Singing in Two Directions, Table of Acceptable Substitutes: Turning Score Terminology into Expressions, Eight Essential Ingredients for Preparing Choirs for Performance, Stocking the Shelves for a Full Cupboard of Vowels, Spice Up Your Warm-Ups, Old-Fashioned Learning-Tree Stew: Good for Building Honor, Respect, and Self-Esteem, Leaven to Counteract Loafing: Developing a Self-Responsible and Collaborative Choir, Turning Thoughts Into Words: Writing to and with Your Choir, Superior Stew: How to Achieve Top Ratings at Choral Festivals, Preparing the Mind, Preparing the Ear: Developing Subvocalization Skill to Improve Intonation, Choir Curry: Seasoning for Success, and more

This enlightening handbook is designed to provide choir members clear and concise information about their breathing so that they may sing with optimal enjoyment and beauty. Featuring dozens of detailed illustrations and explanations, this book is a crucial tool to anyone on a quest for phenomenal sound. Crucial to this quest is understanding how our own bodies work to produce sound through a technique known as Body Mapping. This handbook is perfect for use during choir warm-ups and rehearsals. Foreword by James Jordan.

Songlist: The Structure and Movement of Breathing, Skeletal Balance, Nasal Passages, Mouth, Tongue, Temporo-mandibular Joints, Facial Muscles, Lips, Muscles of Pharynx, Trachea and Esophagus, Lungs, Ribs, Lungs in Context, Diaphragm in Context, Exursion of the Diaphragm, Abdominal and Pelvic Viscera, Abdominal Wall, Pelvic Floor / Pelvic Viscera, Coordination of Movement of the Two Diaphragms, Spine, Gathering / Lengthening of the Spine, Head-Spine Relationship, Up and Over, Superficial Muscles of the Neck, Deep Muscles of the Neck

For the middle school/junior high choral teacher. This text takes out much of the guesswork of teaching boys whose voices are changing . Includes testing methods, extensive warm-up and voice development exercises, self-image concepts, an extensive list of appropriate choral works, and other welcome information.

Songlist: Voice Placement, Recognizing Change, Testing Prodecures, Time-Savers, Variables With Change, Good Strokes For Your Singing Folks, Putting The Pieces Together - The Puzzle of Selecting, Life With Chameleons, Tips for Training The Tigers, Teacher Prescriptions For Sanity, Scores That Don't Bore, Breathing and Posture, Tone Quality, Range Development and Flexibilty, Ear Training

A complete guide for the jazz and swing director, covering topics such as Defining your Vocal Jazz Ensemble, The Rhythm Section, The Vocal Ensemble with the Jazz Band, The Set Up and Sound System, Rehearsal and Improvisation. Carl Strommen's contributions to jazz band and vocal music make him one of the most performed composer/arrangers, nationally and internationally. His music is heard regularly in concert settings, television, and film. Mr. Strommen is in constant demand as a clinician and commission writer. His prolific and varied output has consistently earned him the annual ASCAP Standard Writers Award.

Songlist: What is a Vocal Jazz Ensemble, Stylistic Elements-Harmony, Stylistic Elements-Rhythm, The Rhythm Section, The Vocal Ensemble with the Jazz Band, The Set Up and Sound System, The Rehearsal, Improvisation, Publishers, Composers/Arrangers and You, Perfectionist Carmen McRae by Harvey Siders the Backup Singers, High Reward for a Privileged Few by Don Heckman

Includes lesson plans, activities and reproducible student pages for music theory, history, listening, assessment, cross-cultural activities and more and is compatible with any volume or level of EE for Choir. The professional Listening CD included in the kit is designed for use with many of the lessons.

This book has everything you wanted to know about choral techniques, but were afraid to ask! Deral Johnson, Professor Emeritus at the University of Western Ontario where he was Director of Choral Activities for 23 years, has left no stone unturned to give us the countless tips on how to become a successful choral director

Songlist: The Choral Discipline - A Distinctive Artistic Endeavor, The Ears, Conducting Techniques, Voice Individualities and Sectional Personalities of Choral Ensembles, Influence Of Personal Placement On Choral Blend, Choral And Instrumental Combinations, Breathe From The Diaphragm...Where?, Vowel Coloring and Historical Implications, A Few Thoughts about Rehearsal Organization, Programming: A Demanding Art, Sight-Reading, The Church Choir: Atypical Solutions For Typical Problems, Some Miscellaneous "Whys", The Art of Choral Accompanying

This handbook contains more than 300 pages of techniques and concepts for pop, jazz, and show choir style and interpretation that have been proven effective through years of use in graduate schools and choral-conducting seminars and workshops. The handbook comes with two CDs containing numerous musical examples notated in the book. Topics include: developing the appropriate choral tone, rehearsal techniques, conducting, chord tuning, rhythmic intensity, melodic interpretation, repertoire selection, programming decisions, and much more.

Songlist: Introduction, Purpose of the Text, A Brief Survey of the Growth of Pop, Jazz and Show Choirs, The Well-balanced Choral program, Show Choir vs. Jazz Choir Literature, Conceptualization and Hierarchy of learning, The Vocal Ensemble, Intonation and Tuning, Rehearsal Techniques, Conducting the Ensemble, Stylistic Considerations Affecting Interpretation, Rhythmic Intensity, Linear Intensity Through Melodic Interpretation, Chordal Intensity Through Harmonic Considerations, Overall Intensity Through Contrast, Repertoire Selection, Programming Decisions, Altering a Pulished Piece of Music, Use of Recorded Tracks, Use of Outside Help, Bibliography

Resonance: The Art of the Choral Music Educator by Dr. Christopher W. Peterson is a new collegiate methods textbook written specifically for today's emerging choral music teachers, guiding their growth as curious students while enriching their passion for changing lives through music. The textbook is written in a straight-forward and conversational style that compels the reader to think rather than to memorize and to problem solve rather than find the correct answer. Professors can use this book as a stand-alone text for choral methods, or as a supplement to an established syllabus and curriculum. Practicing educators may want to use these resources and refer back to this book throughout their professional career.

Chapters that address the connection of nuance and inflections with language and music and that expand the meaning of the words "ensemble and entrainment" are but a few of the insightful topics covered by this award-winning author. Ed Lisk's extensive professional career has enabled him to train many of today's leading music educators and provide materials used in schools and universities both here and abroad. The Musical Mind of the Creative Director expands his previous publications creating a greater awareness of the many components that surround the beauty of musical expression.

Songlist: Preface, Introduction, How This Book Is Organized, Chapter 1: The Immersed Musical Mind, Metacognition, The Conductor's Responsibility, Chapter 2: Designing Effective Rehearsals, Questioning Traditional Rehearsal Techniques, Designing A Rehearsal, Importance of the Warm-Up, Infusing Variety, Establishing Mental and Physical Readiness: The Warm-Up, Exercise 2.1. Teaching from the Circle of 4ths, More Thoughts on Removing the Notation, Chapter 3: Entrainment: The Invisible Communication System, Exercise 3.1. Aligning Ensemble Pulse, Exercise 3.2., Exercise 3.3. Making a Mind-Body Connection, Exercise 3.4. Apply Chord Qualities, Exercise 3.5. Breath Support, Chapter 4: Teaching Musical Artistry and Expression, Chapter 5: Connecting The Nuance and Inflections of Language With Music, Exercise 5.1. The Energy of Rhythm, Chapter 6: Connecting Feeling To Rhythm, Exercise 6.1. Expression Through Rhythm, Chapter 7: Developing and Exercising Musical Expression, Exercise 7.1. Discovering the Soul of Musical Expression, Exercise 7.2. Dynamics: Reading With True Expression, Why Practice Expression, Three Natural Laws of Musical Expression, and more

The purpose of the DVD is to demonstrate ways to communicate musical intent non-verbally. The naturally human propensity to use body movement to emphasize ideas and to send clear and specific messages, with or without speech, is explored and clearly demonstrated, and conducting instruction on the video emphasizes the entire body as the vehicle of communication. The video includes some of the most common "mixed" or "blurred" messages that conductors can unintentionally send, immediately followed by motions consistent with intent.Dozens of unrehearsed demonstration with middle school, high school, and church choirs show the universal applicability of theses concepts. When properly and consistently applied, the techniques on this video will result in better communication between singers and conductor, and vastly more efficient use of rehearsal time.

"Essential Musicianship, Book 1," recommended for Grades 6-8 or other beginning groups, is a sequential choral method that helps the beginning singer develop a strong foundation of musical skills. In each of the twenty chapters a concept is presented in the theory section, practiced in the sight-reading section, and applied in the performance of a song. The Teacher Edition provides comprehensive lesson plans based on the National Standards for Arts Education.

Songlist: Introduction, To The Teacher, How To Use This Book, Lesson Plans, Effective Teaching Checklist, National Standards For Arts Education, Goals And Overview, Voice: Posture - Breath - Tone, Theory: Rhythm - Beat - Note Values (quarter, half, whole), Sight-Reading: Pitch Drills, Goals and Overview, Voice: Five Basic Vowels (ee, eh, ah, oh, oo), Theory: Basic Notation (staff, clefs, note names), Sight-Reading: Pitch Drills, Goals and Overview, Voice: Breath Support (diaphragm), Theory: Measure - Meter - Barlines, Sight-Reading: Rhythm Practice - Pitch Practice, Performance Speech Chorus, Months of the Year, Goals and Overview, Voice: Review, Theory : Review, Sight-Reading: Rhythm Practice - Pitch Practice, Performance: Speech Chorus, Tongue Twister, Goals and Overview, Voice: Practice (posture, breath, and vowel shape), Theory: Pitch - Scale - Key of C Major, Sight-Reading: Pitch Drills - Combine Rhythm and Pitch, and more

Essential Musicianship, Book 2, recommended for Grades 8-10 or other older beginners, is a sequential choral method that helps the older beginner or returning singer develop basic to intermediate skills. Each of the twenty chapters includes materials for vocal development, music theory, sight reading and performance. The Teacher Edition provides comprehensive lesson plans based on the National Standards for Arts Education.

Songlist: To The Teacher, National Standards For Arts Education, Effective Teaching Checklist, Goals and Overview, Voice: Posture - Breath - Tone - 5 Basic Vowels, Theory: Rhythm - Beat - Note Values (quarter, half, whole), Sight-Reading: Rhythm Drills, Theory: Basic Notation (staff, clefs, note names), Sight-Reading: Note Identification, Goals and Overview, Voice: Breath Support (diaphragm), Theory: Measure - Meter - Barlines, Sight-Reading: Pitch Drills, Performance: Accompanied Song, Sweet Music in the Night (unison), Goals and Overview, Voice: Practice (posture, breath, vowels), Theory: Review, Theory: Whole Steps and Half Steps, Sight-Reading: Whole/Half Step Practice, Performance: A Cappella Songs, Treble: Indian Summer, Tenor Bass: Love's Lament, Mixed: Kyrie Eleison, Goals and Overview, Voice: Practice (posture, breath, vowels) - Articulation, Theory: Sharps and Flats - Key of C Review - Key of G, Sight-Reading: Pitch Drills (key of G practice), Theory: Accidentals - Key Signature, Sight-Reading: Pitch Drills (key of G practice), and more

Essential Musicianship is a sequential comprehensive curriculum that is designed to build all the skills of a choral musician. It includes Voice-builders, Theory-Builders, Sight-Reading exercises and songs which can be used for classroom or concert. The easy-to-use format allows the books to be used with all types of choir: mixed, treble or tenor bass.

Songlist: To The Teacher, National Standards for Arts Education, Effective Teaching Checklist, Goals and Overview, Voice: Posture - Breath - Tone Production, Theory: Key - Scale - Circle of Fifths, Sight-Reading: Major and Minor Pitch Practice, Performance: A Cappella Canon, Da Pacem, Domine, Goals and Overview, Voice: Breath - Tone Production - Resonance, Theory: Simple Meter - Beat - Division - Subdivision, Sight-Reading: Practice Simple Meters (rhythm and pitch exercises), Performance: A Cappella Songs, Treble: My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean, Tenor Bass: Shalom Chaverim, Mixed: The Water is Wide, Goals and Overview, Voice: Breath - Tone Production - Resonance - Range Extension, Theory: Intervals (major, minor, perfect), Sight-Reading: Melodic and Harmonic Interval Practice, Performance: A Cappella Songs, Treble: I Know Where I'm Going, Tenor Bass: Sit Down, Brother, Mixed: The Silver Moon is Shining, Goals and Overview, Voice: Posture - Breath - Resonance, Theory: Intervals (diminished, augmented), Sight-Reading: Interval Practice, Performance: A Cappella Songs, and more

Essential Musicianship, Book 1," recommended for Grades 6-8 or other beginning groups, is a sequential choral method that helps the beginning singer develop a strong foundation of musical skills. In each of the twenty chapters a concept is presented in the theory section, practiced in the sight-reading section, and applied in the performance of a song. Book 1 contains drills, exercises and 37 practice/performance songs for mixed, treble and tenor bass choir.

Songlist: Alleluia, Animal Song, As The Holly Groweth Green, The Bells, Betty Botter, The Call, Dance!, Erin, Hey Diddle Diddle!, Hosanna, The Hunt, Joyfully Sing, King William, Leave Her, Johnny Leave Her, Let Us Chase The Squirrel, Love In Thy Youth, O Music, Sweet Music, Oh Soldier, Soldier, Rain, Shipwrecked, Sing Alleluia, Sing Your Songs, Sons Of Art, Spring Quiet, Winter

"Essential Musicianship, Book 2," recommended for Grades 8-10 or other older beginners, is a sequential choral method that helps the older beginner or returning singer develop basic to intermediate skills. Each of the twenty chapters includes materials for vocal development, music theory, sight reading and performance. Basic notation, rhythm, pitch and basic harmony are covered through drills, exercises and 44 practice/performance songs for mixed, treble and tenor bass choirs.

Songlist: All Join Hands, Au Clair De La Lune, Christmas Comin', Come Follow, Cripple Creek, Down In The Valley, The Flowers, Fog, Fond Affection, He Is Born, Hosanna In Excelsis Deo, How Doth The Little Crocodile, Hush, Little Baby, Indian Summer, Intery Mintery, It Was A Lover And His Lass, Jerimiah Obadiah, Jubilate Deo, The Jumblies, The Kangaroo, Kyrie Eleison, Long, Long Ago, Love's Lament, Music, When Soft Voices Die, O! Mankind, The Old Brass Wagon, The Rainbow, The Red River Valley, San Serini, See Them Dance, and more

"Essential Musicianship, Book 3," recommended for Grades 10-12 or other advanced singers, is a sequential choral method that helps the returning high school singer develop intermediate to advanced skills. Concepts presented include major/minor scales, diatonic chords, intervals, chromaticism, categories of harmony, modes, simple, asymmetric and changing meters. The 52 practice/performance songs for mixed, treble and tenor bass choirs are designed to improve reading skills through expressive singing.

Songlist: Aura Lee, Awake, Arise!, Benedictus, Bound For The Promised Land, Canon, Cape Cod Girls, The Colorado Trail, Confitemini Domino, Da Pacem, Domine, Dashing Away With The Smoothing Iron, Deck The Hall, Down By The Riverside, Faith And Hope And Love, Fine Knacks For Ladies, Gloria!, Goin' Round The Mountain, Golden Slumbers, Good Night Ladies, Greensleeves, The Gypsy Rover, Hi-Ho The Holly, I Know Where I'm Goin', Illumina Oculos Meos, Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning, Kumbaya, Kyrie Eleison, Locus Iste, My Bonnie Lies Over The Ocean, My True Love Hath My Heart, O Mistress Mine, and more

"Essential Musicianship, Book 1," recommended for Grades 6-8 or other beginning groups, is a sequential choral method that helps the beginning singer develop a strong foundation of musical skills. In each of the twenty chapters a concept is presented in the theory section, practiced in the sight-reading section, and applied in the performance of a song. The Teacher Edition provides comprehensive lesson plans based on the National Standards for Arts Education.

Songlist: Alleluia, Animal Song, As The Holly Groweth Green, The Bells, Betty Botter, The Call, Dance!, Erin, Hey Diddle Diddle!, Hosanna, The Hunt, Joyfully Sing, King William, Leave Her, Johnny Leave Her, Let Us Chase The Squirrel, Love In Thy Youth, O Music, Sweet Music, Oh Soldier, Soldier, Rain, Shipwrecked, Sing Alleluia, Sing Your Songs, Sons Of Art, Spring Quiet, Winter

"Essential Musicianship, Book 2," recommended for Grades 8-10 or other older beginners, is a sequential choral method that helps the older beginner or returning singer develop basic to intermediate skills. Each of the twenty chapters includes materials for vocal development, music theory, sight reading and performance. The Teacher Edition provides comprehensive lesson plans based on the National Standards for Arts Education.

Songlist: All Join Hands, Au Clair De La Lune, Christmas Comin', Come Follow, Cripple Creek, Down In The Valley, The Flowers, Fog, Fond Affection, He Is Born, Hosanna In Excelsis Deo, How Doth The Little Crocodile, Hush, Little Baby, Indian Summer, Intery Mintery, It Was A Lover And His Lass, Jerimiah Obadiah, Jubilate Deo, The Jumblies, The Kangaroo, Kyrie Eleison, Long, Long Ago, Love's Lament, Music, When Soft Voices Die, O! Mankind, The Old Brass Wagon, The Rainbow, The Red River Valley, San Serini, See Them Dance, and more

ESSENTIAL MUSICIANSHIP is a sequential comprehensive curriculum that is designed to build all the skills of a choral musician. It includes Voice-builders, Theory-Builders, Sight-Reading exercises and songs which can be used for classroom or concert. The easy-to-use format allows the books to be used with all types of choir: mixed, treble or tenor bass.

Songlist: All People On Earth Do Dwell, All The Pretty Little Horses, Amazing Grace, An' Thou Wert My Ain Thing, Antiphonal Alleluia, Aura Lee, Awake, Arise!, Benedictus, Bound For The Promised Land, Canon, Cape Cod Girls, The Colorado Trail, Confitemini Domino, Da Pacem, Domine, Dashing Away With The Smoothing Iron, Deck The Hall, Down By The Riverside, Faith And Hope And Love, Fine Knacks For Ladies, Gloria!, Goin' Round The Mountain, Golden Slumbers, Good Night Ladies, Greensleeves, The Gypsy Rover, Hi-Ho The Holly, I Know Where I'm Goin', Illumina Oculos Meos, Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning, Kumbaya, and more

Can vocal groups having a mixture of talent levels achieve a stunning blend? In Geral Eskelin's opinion, it is not so much a difference in vocal training that prevents vocal blend but rather the mutual disregard for blend and/or the lack of techniques necessary to achieve it. The primary purpose of this book, then, is to identity the elements that contribute to a beautiful choral sound and to provide methods and exercises by which to explore them. The suggestion and ideas ate based on Dr. Eskelin's five decade of experience working with singing groups - both amateur and profession. The exercises are applicable to a wide variety of musical styles - from barbershop quartet to opera chorus - from the theater to the cathedral. Solo singers, as well, will find techniques to enhance the artistry and professionalism of their performances.

Songlist: Blend and Blendability, Approach and Method, Vocal Concepts and Vocabulary, Vowel, Brightness, Resonance, Nasality, Pitch, Density, Loudness, Phrasing, Consensus, "Expressive Tuning"

Henry Leck, Founder and Artistic Director of the Indianapolis Children's Choir and Director of Choral Activities at Butler University, has influenced thousands of young musicians and teachers through his dedication to choral excellence and the idea that children can perform music with artistry and understanding. This comprehensive text, written with Dr. Flossie Jordan, is an insightful guide for choral directors in the field and in training to help develop the teaching skills, leadership abilities, conducting technique, knowledge of repertoire and organizational skills necessary for success. As an added bonus, the book includes a CD-ROM with dozens of helpful forms and documents from the Indianapolis Children's Choir covering organizing a children's choir, auditions, governing documents, managing volunteers, fundraising, grant writing and much more!

Songlist: Going Beyond the Craft of Music Making, Vocal Techniques for the Young Singe, Director Preparation, Musical Expression through Visualization, Dalcroze Techniques in the Choral Rehearsal, Creating Artistry Through a Kodaly Curriculum, The Boy's Expanding Voice: Take the High Road, Leadership Style, Organization, Epilogue

Dalcroze Eurhythmics is a unique approach to the study of music. Based on rhythm as the primary factor that bridges what we hear with what we do, Eurhythmics can be used in the choral setting to develop rhythmic independence in the singers, inner hearing, and the nuances in music. Through Dalcroze Eurhrythmics, singers can enjoy the benefits of purposeful expressive movement to enhance choral rehearsals and performances. This 1-hour DVD provides detailed approaches to the use of Eurhythmics within the classroom or rehearsal setting and offers a guide to building choral artistry through movement.

Created by Dr. James Jordan and accompanist/composer Marilyn Shenenberger, the exercises in this book are part of an innovative new ensemble solfege method that helps choirs improve intonation through improving aural skills. Each exercise provides a rich harmonic syntax for singers to hear, while singing in different modes. The book contains intonations in all modes, singing difficult intervals within each mode, modal tuning exercises, and a modal choral example. These exercises may be integrated into the choral warm-up. Using this unique method of choral solfege, your choir's hearing ability will improve exponentially as will their intonation and reading abilities. These exercises are appropriate for all ages and for singers at all levels of development.

Songlist: Major Ionian Mode, Harmonic Minor, Mixolydian Mode, Dorian Mode, Lydian Mode, Phrygian Mode, Aeolian Mode, Melodic Minor Mode, Locrian Mode, Octatonic Modes

Forced to find a way to correct persistent intonation problems in his own choir, author James Jordan with the help of Matthew Mehaffey embarked on the development of a new method of choral ensemble solfege. Choral Ensemble Intonation: Method, Procedures, and Exercises presents this innovative new method, along with procedures and exercises, sure to improve the aural skills of any choir. Not just a temporary fix, this method encourages the building of intonation skills within the confines of the choral ensemble rehearsal. The method includes overall steps for reading a new work and teaches how solfege syllables can promote good intonation through good diction. In addition, the authors provide techniques for maintaining a consistent tempo, running a choral warm-up, and utilizing the accompanist to achieve better intonation. Jordan and Mehaffey also share listening techniques for the choir and discuss how the use of physical movement can assist intonation and good vocal production. Plus, conductors are given tools for modal analysis that will greatly improve the teaching and learning process.

Songlist: The Teaching of Intonation Skills, Keyality and Tonality, The Importance and Potency of Aural/Oral Teaching, The Foundation of Good Ensemble Listening, Solfege System: Fixed or Movable Do?, Chromatic Syllables/Solfege Syllable Pronunciation Guide, Chromatic Syllables, Practicing the Singing of Modes, Analysis for Aural Ensemble Teaching, On a Key vs. In a Tonality, Music with Changing Anchor Notes, Exercises for Understanding Harmonic Context, Exercises for Understanding Tonality, Musical Line and Intonation: Important Partners

This new, definitive choral methods text is perfect for future practitioners and an invaluable reference for any choral conductor. The School Choral Program includes the combined experience and expertise of recognized leaders in music education and of choral teachers who work in today's classroom. With practical insights and perspectives, 18 authors - all leading choral directors, administrators, practicing teachers in the schools, or clinicians bring their unique voices to a wide range of topics. Also included with the book is a CD containing recordings of exemplary high school choral performance models. This book breaks new ground in choral music education, providing choral directors with the tools necessary to be successful in the classroom and at the podium. Michele Holt is past president of the American Choral Directors Association and Director of Choral Activities at Providence College. James Jordan is Associate Professor of Conducting and Senior Conductor at the Westminster Choir College of Rider University.

Songlist: The Lifelong Inpact Of The Choral Experience: Philosophy And Teaching Styles, The History Of Choral Music In The United States, Designing And Scheduling The School Choral Program, The Care And Feeding of The Highschool Choir: The main ingredients for an old recipe called "Continued Success", Perspective One: Criteria for Choosing Appropriate Repertoire, Perspective Two: The Search for High Quality Repertoire, Perspective Three: A Song Worth Singing Selecting Choral Literature At All Levels, The Choral Rehearsal: Planning, Evaluating, Sight- Reading, And singer Placement, The Vocally Proficient Choir: Part One Building Sequential Vocal Technique Skills through the Choral Warm-Up, The Vocally Proficient Choir: Part Two Improvisation And Choral Musicianship, The vocally Proficient Choir: Part Three Working With Male Voices, Measuring And Evaluating The School Choral Program: Standards- Based Benchmark Assessment In The School Choral Program, Choral Music Eduacators As Communicators, Establishing Aural Standards:Representative Listening Examples For Study, Building Early Choral Experiences: Part One Strategies for Directing the Childrens Choir, Building Early Choral Experiences: Part Two The Middle School Choral Program, Multicutural Considerations for the School Choral Program: Part One Teaching And Performing Ethnic Choral Music, Multicutural Considerations for the School Choral Program: Part Two A Case for Spanish Speaking Population, Multicutural Considerations for the School Choral Program: Part Three Voices From The City: Choral Programs in Urban Settings, Considering Musical Theater and Vocal Jazz as Integral Parts of the Choral Program: Part One Preparing for The High School Musical, Considering Musical Theater and Vocal Jazz as Integral Parts of the Choral Program: Part Two Developing Appropriate Vocal Jazz Style, Movement And Choral Rehearsal: Part One The Use Of Movement In The Choral Rehearsal, Movement And Choral Rehearsal: Part Two Using Dalcroze Eurhythmics in the Choral Rehearsal, Necessary Enrichment of the Choral Program: Part One How to Commission Works for Choirs, Necessary Enrichment of the Choral Program: Part Two Touring With Your Choir, Motivation: Focusing Energy for Positive Growth and Development

A Young Singer's Journey consists of six workbooks and accompanying online audio files, a booklet of sight-singing and warm-up exercises for each level. Flash card masters, designed to correlate with the material presented in each workbook, are also available. Contact the publisher regarding further aids to the curriculum. Children learn at different rates and each child will approach these books with a different skill set. A child who completes three pages per week could complete two books per year, or six books in three years. A younger child may work more slowly and an older child may be able to complete the books with little teacher-direction at a faster pace. The marking pages at the front of each book have columns for written comments and a sticker reward for each page. The column for ticker rewards is meant to be used only after a page is completed, including all corrections. The marking pages will reflect the child's progress and show at a glance the pages that need more work. Most pages include audio tasks that should be completed with the pages. The CD's reinforce and further teach the concepts on the page while training the child to hear and use the written material. At the end of each track a "secret word" is given. The child should write this word beside the audio track number to show that he or she has listened to it. Bullets highlight the written tasks on each page. Children are invited to check off the bullet for each task as it is completed. A certificate at the end of each book may be signed by the teacher and awarded when the child has completed the book. The warm-up exercises include syllable songs, jingles, and exercises using the finger staff and keyboard. Memorization and accuracy of these exercises could be tested during pre-rehearsal activities. Choristers should be encouraged to practice warm-ups; a box is provided beside each example to add a sticker reward for those who perform them well by memory.

Songlist: Let's Begin, Line And Spaces, Syllable Names On Steps, Hand Signs, Let's "Twinkle" Two Ways, The Treble Clef, A Scale On A Keyboard, Now We're Sight-Singing, You Get The Last Word, Horse Apples, Quarter Note And Rest, An Octave Is Eight Steps, The Longer And Longer Song, Two Stories, Eight Notes Flags On The Right, Middle C, Doh Moves, Doh, Me And Soh, The Famous Trio, Word Puzzles, Half Notes, Doh, Me, Soh In Three Keys

Eileen Baldwin, Jean Ashworth Bartle and Linda Beaupre have been teaching musical literacy for many years, and all three have very successful children's choirs that continue to perform all over the world. Now they have joined together and written a new musical literacy curriculum that will teach children to master the basic components of musical literacy--theory, ear training and sight-singing. The series will consist of six workbooks, three which are currently available. Included in each workbook is an accompanying CD, a sight-singing booklet of warm-up exercises for each level, and a laminated keyboard. Flash cards designed to correlate with the material presented in each workbook will also be available. There will be a teacher's manual for each level that covers the two student books. This will truly be an invaluable teaching tool.

Songlist: Off We Go, Closest Neighbors On The Keyboard, The Tonic Triad, Review Of Counting, The Chromatic Scale, Sight-Singing With The Tonic Triad, Songs Of Value 1, Songs Of Value 2, Up With Sharps Down With Flats, Pick The Tune, Remember Tents And Goalposts, Beethoven, Jean's Cool Raps, The Major Scale Pattern Song, The Sixteenth Note, G Major Scale, Tie, Slur And Phrase, The Note Tower, Key Signatures, The Strong Beat Is Number One, The Bottom Of The Time Signature, Building F Major Scale, Circle The Sixteenth Botes, It Isn't Always 4 On The Bottom, Getting Familar With G Major, Sight-singing A Famous Canon, We've Got Style, Tallis In Three Keys, Countinf Sixteenths, Eleanor Daley, and more

Why don't classical musicians improvise? Why do jazz players get to have all the fun? And how do improvisers develop such fabulous technique and aural skills?

With this book, Jeffrey Agrell and Patrice Madura Ward-Steinman open the door to improvisation for all non-jazz musicians who thought it was beyond their ability to play extemporaneously. Gently, step by step, Agrell and Madura lead us through a series of games rather than exercises. The game format takes the pressure off of classically trained musicians, steering them away from their fixation on mistake-free performance and introducing the basic concepts of playing with music itself instead of obsessing over a perfect rendition of a written score.

States authors: "Playing duets from the ink is fun and full of musical vitamins, but it needs a complimentary aural approach to develop all-around musicianship." Vocal Improvisation Games for Singers and Choral Groups provide that complementary approach.

Songlist: Warm-Up Games, Rhythm Games, Melody Games, Harmony Games, Aural Games, Depiction Games, Style Games, Timbre Games, Dramatic Games, Text Games, Composition Games, Miscellaneous Games

Jerry Blackstone and the University of Michigan Men's Glee Club covers topics such as music-based choral tone including repertoire and the musical challenges inherent therein determining the vocal precedures needed to communicate the composer's intent. Also rehearsal warm ups which utilize different timbres and which present particular challenges for the singing male such as tessitura, register changes and vowel color. Intonation issues are also addressed with a discussion followed by a demonstration of warmups and rehearsal techniques.

Songlist: Tone and The Singing Male, Consistency throughout the Range, Communicative Choral Singing, Intonation Issues, Effective Rehearsal Procedures, Voice Classifications, Live Performances

Dr. John Bertalot has drawn on more than forty years' experience as a renowned choir director and organist to share his knowledge and expertise with those who, like himself, are dedicated to the highest standards of choral training and musical expression. His practical guidance is clear and detailed, illumined by his use of apt analogy, personal anecdote and lively humor, and informed throughout by his psychological and spiritual insights and Christian convictions. This is more than a book of instructions; it is a book of passion and inspiration which can be summed up in one word--love: love for music, love for his singers and love for God. It might well have been called 'Love in Practice,' but you need to read the book before you can fully appreciate how fitting that title would be.

Songlist: Encourage Punctuality, Begin Rehearsals Efficiently, Cure Irregular Attendence, Raise Musical Standards, Make Demands On Your Choir, Conduct More Creatively, Train Your Choir To Listen To You, Teach Them how To Breathe, Sing As Well On Sunday As At Rehearsal, An Inspiring Experience, Stop Your Singers Talking, Keep Your Singers In Order, Watch Out For The Second Law Of Thermodynamics, Ten Basic Points For Musical Rehearsal, Create A Positive Atmosphere, Warm-ups, More Tips About Singing In Tune, Some More Advanced Techniques, Some Hints For Organists, Playing Right Notes Confidently And Musically, More Practical Tips, Random Hints For Choir Practice, Rehearsal Hints For Church Choir Practice, Rehearsal Techniques At A Glance, Searching Questions Which Demand Action, Running A Children's Choir, Problems With Clergy, New Music, The New Choir Director, Finding Sufficient Energy, and more

Most choral conductors will confess to having uttered the rhetorical, "Have we had this conversation?" more than a few times. But there is a hopeful promise in knowing that we can have new, more effective conversations with our school, church or community choirs that will be aided greatly by the solution-oriented techniques in this practical book by the noted choral conductor, John Yarrington. A must-read for conductors searching for new rehearsal strategies, motivational techniques and personal inspiration, this text includes specific procedures for addressing text considerations, improving conducting gestures, and developing ensemble skills, tonal beauty and musicality. Dr. Yarrington also provides a systematic approach to the preparation and performance of many different works, and music excerpts with recommended score markings accompany specific information about how to study, present, perfect, and perform each piece with appropriate tone, style and expressiveness.

Hours of college methods can only begin to prepare you for the realities of the music classroom. Only experience will teach you some of the material never mentioned in methods classes, and this handbook will be an enormous practical guide to help you with the rest. This "hands-on" guide has hundreds of practical suggestions, tips and ideas for running a successful secondary choral music program. A "must-read" for any beginning teacher, and a motivational "shot-in-the-arm" for veterans.

Songlist: Ownership, No More Compromises, Selecting Literature For Performance, Out Here On My Own, Tradition! Tradition!, Recruiting, Bragging As An Art Form, No Choir Is An Island, Concerts, Contests and Competitions, All For One! One For All, Evaluating Excellence

Directing The Choral Music Program is a comprehensive introduction to developing and managing choral music programs from elementary through high-school and adult levels. Designed primarily as a choral methods text for the undergraduate music education curriculum, it is also useful for choral directors in schools, churches, and communities. Broad in scope and practical in orientation, the book is structured around three basic units: the administrative process, rehearsal and performance planning, and choral techniques. In addition to core topics - including recruitment and audtioning, classroom managment, vocal development, and curriculum and performnace planning - it features many subjects not covered in other texts, such as student discipline, philosophy of choral music education, and history of choral conducting. The author presents material on directing show choirs and musicals; organizing choir tours, festivals, and contests; working with adolescent singers; teaching sight-singing skills.

Songlist: Becoming A Choral Music Director, Developing A Philosophy For The Music Program, Promoting And Recruiting For Choral Success, Planning And Building The Choral Program, Processing The Flow Of Information, Managing The Choral Program, Optional Projects, Working With Adolescent Singers, Planning For Discipline And Choir Conduct, Choosing The Music, Preparing The Rehearsal, Organizing Performances, Popular Music Presentations, Optional Projects, Vocal Development Part 1, Vocal Development Part 2, Energizing The Choral Warmup, Teaching Sight Singing Skills, Rehearsing The Choir, Understanding Styles And Performance Practices, Presenting The Performance, Directing Other Choral Organizations, Optional Projects

The classic introductory text focuses on the polyphonic vocal style perfected by Palestrina. Unlike many other texts, it maintains a careful balance between theoretical and practical problems, between historical and systematic methodology. The result is an exceptional useful resource, ideal for classroom use in teaching modal counterpoint. The first part of the book explores the beginning of contrapuntal theory from the ninth to the fourteenth century. This is followed by separate discussions of each succeeding century, the styles of Palestrina and Bach and ends with a section illuminating coverage of notation, the ecclesiastical modes, melody and harmony. The second part of the book contains an extended treatment of "species" counterpoint in two, three and four parts and specific discussions of the cannon, the motet and the Mass.

Songlist: Preface, Outline History of Contrapuntal Theory, Technical Features, Two-Part Counterpoint, Three-Part Counterpoint, Four-Part Counterpoint, Counterpoint in More Than Four Parts, The Canon, The Motet, The Mass

This book is well organized, clearly written and broadly applicable to multiple teaching contexts. I highly recommend this as an essential resource in every choral educators' library. So says master teacher and acting ACDA executive director Hilary Apfelstadt. Written by two of the world's leaders in Dalcroze Eurhythmics, Marla Butke and David Frego, this resource brings together all of the elements that make teaching with movement such a success with choral music. Twenty-six videos have been created using choirs and students at every level from elementary to college. Video is accessed online using the unique code inside the book and can be streamed or downloaded.

Master Strategies for Choir presents over 70 ready-to-use reproducible rubrics and activities for the choral rehearsal, grades 6-12. It is organized into three areas: 1) choir as a sound laboratory covering choral techniques; 2) choir as a rehearsal-classroom addressing history, style and theory; and 3) choir as a concert venue addressing concert etiquette and assessment. Add variety to your choral rehearsal with this new resource.

Songlist: Rehearsal As Sound Laboratory, Rehearsal As "Rehearsal-Classroom", Rehearsal As "Concert Venues", Supplemental Resources

From common to not-so-common problems facing choral conductors of all experience levels (from "a" for agility to "y" for yawning), Michael Kemp brings a lifetime of experience living and working in the choral world to create a truly remarkable and practical book. Kemp starts with a myriad of quick-fix solutions to common "choral challenges" and then provides in-depth explanations for choir directors who need more. He follows with sections on planning and preparation (including 62 warm-up exercises), as well as an enlightening discussion on motivating and recruiting choir members. The result is a truly comprehensive handbook representing true best practices poured into a single incredibly useful and well-organized resource. Michael Kemp is an internationally respected choral clinician, conducting more than 300 workshops and festivals over 35 years. He is conductor of the choruses and orchestras of Germantown Academy in Ft. Washington, Pennsylvania, and is a member of the legendary Kemp family of choral musicians.

Songlist: Introduction: The Human Voice, Ch 1: Loosening Up the Articulators, Ch 2: Posture And Spinal Alignment, Ch 3: Open Throat, Ch 4: Breath Support and Airflow, Ch 5: Tone Placement and Vocal Registers, Ch 6: Vowel Color and Diction, Ch 7: Vibrato, Ch 8: Other Concerns Related to the Voice, Ch 9: How To Place Singers into Correct Voice Parts, Ch 10: Considerations in Choosing Repertoire, Ch 11: Conductor Study Procedures, Ch 12: Warm-Up Exercises, Ch 13: Conductor Concerns Regarding Rehearsal, Ch 14: Additional Ideas for Energizing Rehearsal, Ch 15: What Is Different About Conducting Instruments?, Ch 16: Get Yourself Motivated First, Ch 17: The Discipline of the Conductor, Ch 18: Motivational Aspects of Rehearsing, Ch 19: Steps Toward Increasing Your Effectiveness, Ch 20: Stuck In A Rut?, Ch 21: Getting Ready for Rehearsals, Ch 22: A Successful Rehearsal Comes From A Stimulating Plan, Ch 23: Keeping Rehearsal Alive, Ch 24: Teaching Through Sports Analogies, Ch 25: People Skills for Choir Directions, Ch 26: Getting Singers to Aim Higher, Ch 27: Developing Teamwork, Ch 28: Building The Support System, Ch 29: Motivating Yourself Past Problems, and more

Strategies and solutions for conductors, conductors-in-training, and voice teachers. Once again, Telfer's terrific talent for analyzing a problematic situation and providing solutions will help singers sound better and feel more comfortable, this time with high pitches. By combining knowledge of the voice with vocal psychology, the sound of the choir or an individual voice can be changed. Includes tips for starting and ending on a high pitch, long high pitches, children's voices, and much more. An invaluable resource for all choir directors!

Songlist: Posture, Breathing, Healthy Warmups for the Voice, Relaxation, Positioning the Jaw and Chin, Vocal Placement, Listening for Tone Quality, Diction for High Pitches, Ascending Phrases, Phrases Starting on a High Pitch, Long High Pitches, Stamina for High-Pitched Music, Ending on a High Pitch, Good Intonation for High Pitches, General Rehearsal Tips for Conductors, Special Tips for Children's Voices

Paul Salamunovich, Grammy-nominated Conductor Emeritus of the Los Angeles Master Chorale, discusses why his concepts of tone, style and musicianship are rooted in chant. In addition to sharing his expertise in interviews, the Maestro reheares Durufle and Lauridson with university singers. This DVD allows the viewer to experience his artistry from a choir member's perspective. For many years, Paul Salamunovich has been creating just about the lovliest choral singing this side of heaven. This DVD provides a look behind the scenes from which we can learn what drives his quest for choral excellence and how he achieves it. At the heart of his Vision of choral music lies the rich repertory of gregorgian chant which he first learned as a boy soprano, providing a true and solid foundation for good singing in a whole range of styles. A Salamunovich is always honest and true to the composer, but beyond that, transformed by the the light of the spirit and the warmth of inner beauty which Paul has the rare ability to reveal. Paul is an unforgettable man, musician, conductor, and teacher who enriches every life he touches. This very Welcome DVD will help to ensure that his legacy endures.

When two master teachers speak, student-and teachers-should listen. And Randy Pagel and Linda Spevacek have spoken eloquently here, befitting their combined years of incredibly successful teaching experience. Succinctly written and fully-charged with practical, step-by-step instructions, you will find nugget after nugget concerning issues confronting every choral educator every day. Wisdom on classroom management, choral rehearsal management, working with the changing male voice, developing musicianship and a complete child, organizational tips, public-relations hints, pointers for participating in tours and/or festivals, and thought-provoking quotes from a wide spectrum of sources-it's all here, written from the unique perspective of both a male and female teacher who explore how gender really affects teaching the opposite sex. Tools, rules and tips for teaching-all leading toward making your classroom a positive atmosphere, ensuring a successful choral experience for every student.

Songlist: A Music Teacher is A Teacher, Managing Your Classroom, Developing the Complete Child, Yin and Yang in the Choral Classroom, Managing Your Rehearsal, Strengthening Your Organization, Turning Your Critics into Supporters, Showcasing Your Program, Festivals, Contest and Guest Conductors, Voice Lessons in the Choral Classroom, Working with the Boy's Voices, Working with the Girl's Voices, Developing Musicianship in the Choral Classroom, Reherarsing for Musical Success, Selecting Your Choral Repertoire, Anticipation: A Key to Sustaining Success

Based on Stanton's years of experience working in day-to-day conducting situations, this unrivalled book views the conductor's image, abilities, personal involvement and relationship with the singers. Full of successful rehearsal techniques, vocal exercises, programme suggestions and repertoire planning, plus practical assignments.

Songlist: Changing Conditions Of Choral Conducting, The Conductor's Communicative Techniques - Verbal, The Conductor's Communicative Techniques - Non-Verbal, The Conductor And Choral Tone, The Choral Conductor's Role In Voice Training, The Conductor And Group Musicianship, The Conductor's Many Jobs, The Conductor's Attitudes About Styles And Repertoire, The Impact Of The Conductor's Image

An exceptional DVD showing practical and innovative rehearsal techniques for your choral classroom. Suited for choirs of all levels. There are helpful hints and ideas for every choral director and is geared for maintaining student interest and maximizing their musicianship. This program is a first-class presentation showing actual footage of Dr. Robinson in workshop events as he teaches directors creative rehearsal techniques. You will see him discuss the challenges of today's choral classroom with candor and humor, while addressing the real problems directors face and presenting practical solutions. This is a video designed for the director, not the student, and is instructional in nature. About 45 minutes in length, this piece provides a "workshop in a box," which directors and teachers can watch at home, in seminar situations, or in college methods classes. Finally a practical help for conductors of all levels!

Songlist: Live Demonstrations, Warm-ups that work, Effective Discipline, Meaningful Conducting, Humor in Rehearsal

In shaping choral tone, directors often wish to improve the sound of their choir, but are challenged to pinpoint underlying problems or to guide singers toward solutions. Now, in Prescriptions for Choral Excellence, skilled vocal pedagogue Shirlee Emmons and leading choral director Constance Chase equip choral directors with the practical tools they need to help singers achieve peak choral performance. Drawing on years of experience, Emmons and Chase help choral directors and singers effectively diagnose and resolve problems. They cover topics ranging from breath management and diction to range and intonation, and much more. Beyond describing vocal difficulties, the book provides concrete instructions on how to apply the concepts in day-to-day rehearsal and performance. The numerous practical exercises and planning aides allow directors to maximize both time and talent to elicit the highest potential from their singers. While grounded in the most up-to-date research in voice science, the discussion of vocal anatomy and function is accessible to readers with no previous knowledge of voice science. Going beyond other vocal and choral guidebooks, the authors also apply the most current theories in leadership principles and group dynamics to choral settings, helping directors translate their natural musicality and charisma into inspiring and motivational leadership. A comprehensive and unique blend of practical expertise, voice science, and leadership psychology, Prescriptions for Choral Excellence is an invaluable guide for all choral directors seeking to create memorable and remarkable performances.

Songlist: Breath Management, Diction And Intelligibility, Tone And Intonation, The Individual Singer, The Warmup And Training Period, Some Practical Solutions to Leadership Issues, Leadership Theory For Reference, Practice And Imagery, Mental Skills

Excellence is not something stumbled upon by accident. You won't achieve great things while flailing about in paperwork nor partake of true musical artistry by folly. Success requires a concrete plan of action: a big-picture plan followed by all the little details that, together, create a complex mosaic that forms a beautiful and intricxate picture of choral excellence. This practical text offers a wealth of information for running a choral program. The two successful veteran teachers offer advice for dozens of solutions to issues facing the choral director. Includes a CD-ROM of bonus material, an introduction by Paul Salamunovich.

Songlist: The Choir Handbook, Rehearsal Structure and Techniques, Selecting Literature, Blueprint for Teaching Choral Literature, Effective Classroom Management, Conducting, Concert Dos and Donts, Memorization, Contests and Festivals, Programming Themes and Variations, Identifying Prospective Audiences, Teachign Sight-Reading and Music Literacy, Copyright Law for the Choral Director, Professional Resources, Building Your Support System, The Recruitment and Retention of Choir Students, Effective Publicity and Public Relations, Fund-Raising, Uniforms, Show, Pop, Jazz and Swing Choirs, Chamber Singers and Madrigal Groups, Choir Traditions, Fun and Games, Trips, Tours, Parties and Banquets, Topics Sometimes Overlooked in MusEd 101, VIPs of the Profession

Designed for both the practicing choral director and the choral methods student, this is a compact and comprehensive overview of the many teaching methods, strategies, materials, and assessments available for choral sight-singing instruction. Sight-singing is an important, if sometimes neglected, facet of choral music education that often inspires fear and uncertainty in student and teacher alike. Written in an accessible style, this book takes the mystery out of teaching music reading. Topics covered include the history of sight-singing pedagogy and research, prominent methods and materials, and practical strategies for teaching and assessment. This is the only book to provide such a wealth of information under one cover and will become an essential part of every choral conductor's library.

Songlist: Part I: Why Teach Sight-Singing?, A History of Sight-Singing Instruction in the United States, What Research Offers Teachers, Part II: How to Teach Sight-Singing, System and Methods of Instruction, Sight-Singing Lesson Models, Integrating Sight-Singing into the Choral Rehearsal, Sight-Singing Assessment Procedures, Part III: What Materials Are Available?, Materials, Review of Materials

To build a successful high school music program is to empower student leaders. But what does it really mean to be a student leader? How can they make a difference? In this brilliant DVD, master clinician Tim Lautzenheiser speaks to the students of the Central Bucks West High School choir and band about how to bring leadership thinking into their everyday lives and music making. He offers a clear perspective of what is possible when young leaders choose excellence as the foundation of their leadership mission. James Jordan encourages these same students to keep focus on why they connect through music, and on the rewards that come from those connections. And together, James and Tim discuss the risk-taking that is needed by both conductor and ensemble when true music happens. This DVD is a companion to the definitive choral methods text The School Choral Program, which breaks new ground in choral music education and provides choral directors with the tools they need to be successful in the classroom and at the podium. 

From the basics of posture and breathing to the final bow of your concert, The Perfect Blend takes you on an entertaining ride through vocal and choral technique. The book is full of warm-ups, old and new. It is organized in two parts: The Voice and The Choir. Its fresh, physical approach to singing focuses on vocal and choral tone; vocal and choral technique. The author asks, "Who should read this book? Anyone who sings; anyone who conducts; anyone whose warm-ups need a B-12 shot; anyone who is interested in new ways to approach vocal study; anyone looking for rehearsal tips; anyone who is open to new programming ideas; my Mom." Timothy Seelig's humorous writing style is an absolute delight to read!

Songlist: Warm 'er Up (or down) - There Is A Difference, Posture - Holding Your Musical Instrument, Motor - Rev Your Engines, Vibrator - The Most Powerful 3/4 Inch in the World, Registers - Head, Chest, Shoulders, Knees and Toes, Resonators - Woofers and Tweeters, Choral Singing - Electric Blender, TMI - Rehearsal Tips, Your Conducting Profile - Physician, Heal Thyself, TLC - Thing's They Didn't Teach You, Vocal Health - Soups to Nuts, The Aging Voice - It's Gonna Happen

Designed for use in schools, churches, and with other community choirs, Voice for Life offers four levels of vocal training for beginning through advanced singers. Whether a child or an adult, singers will develop skills in five core areas: using the voice well; musical skills and understanding; repertoire; belonging to the choir; and choir in context. With more than 300 pages, this book contains all the teaching material, guidance notes, and practical advice needed to train and assess singers with confidence at all four levels. Includes reproducible pages for lessons with singers for all four levels.

Songlist: Bronze, Silver, Gold Awards, Module A: Using The Voice Well, Module B: Musical Skills And Understanding, Module C: Repertoire, Module D: Belonging To The Choir, Module E: Choir In Context, Appendixes

Designed for use in schools, churches, and with other community choirs, Voice for Life offers four levels of vocal training for beginning through advanced singers. Whether a child or an adult, singers will develop skills in five core areas: using the voice well; musical skills and understanding; repertoire; belonging to the choir; and choir in context. Level 1 includes interactive questions, exercises, puzzles, quotes from singers, voice care tips, and more! Targets and goals are clearly defined, with a space for the director to sign off when a goal is completed.

The book is a collection of ideas, procedures, and devices which have been successfully used with choral groups of all ages. The chapters are organized to cover one problem area at a time, and succinctly state the suggested solutions. This digest of the fundamentals of the choral art is designed to be of help to all choral directors regardless of their experience and ability, or the skill of their groups. The veteran conductor may use it as a check list for his own work--the less experienced conductor will find the material of great value both in building a fine chorus as well as in developing an increased awareness and sensitivity on his own part. The handbook may well serve as a text for choral conducting classes as well as a source book of information for members of school, community, and church groups.  

Songlist: Rehearsal Procedures, Presenting a New Choral Work, Flatting and Its Causes, Dynamics, Tempo, Rhythm, Blend and Balance, Diction, Vowels: Principles, Primary Vowels, and Related Sounds, Consonants: Principles and Considerations, Diphthongs: Principles and Basics, Tone Color, Staging, Criteria for Selection of Choral Music, Audio Aids, Program and Performance Suggestions and Considerations

Written, researched, and compiled by scholars with a wealth of teaching and conducting experience, Teaching Music through Performance in Choir is an indispensable resource that enables conductors and educators to move beyond the printed page toward full musical awareness. This book is an ideal tool for anyone who seeks a deeper understanding of the preeminent music composed for choir and who wishes to learn from some of the seminal voices in the choral profession. In Part I of the book, noted choral directors and educators Frank Abrahams, Anton E. Armstrong, Joseph Flummerfelt, Graeme Morton, and Weston H. Noble, cover such topics as breath control, stylistic awareness from polyphony through the Classical period, the challenges of modern music, "Performance Practice in the African American Slave Song," and "Meeting the National Standards through Choral Performance." Part II establishes a new system for grading the difficulty of choral repertoire, and contains nuts-and-bolts analysis of more than 100 of the most significant works for choir composed, Levels 1 through 5. Repertoire Resource Guides include information on the composer and composition, historical background, technical requirements, stylistic considerations, musical elements, suggestions for additional listening, and a guide to selected references. Also included is an in-depth study of Gabriel Faure's Requiem, completed by Bruce Chamberlain, Anthony Reeves, and Matthew Mehaffey. This portion includes, an extended history of the work, graphical analyses, and rehearsal strategies for both choir and orchestra.

Songlist: Does It Sing?, Does It Dance? Stylistic Awareness From Polyphony To The Classical Period, Practical Performance Practice in the African American Slave Song, Modern Music, Meeting National Standards For Music Education Through Choral Performance

For over fifty years, Weston Noble has lectured on his principles of choral blend that can be achieved through a process of matching voices to create beautiful, almost seamless choral sound. On this DVD, Weston Noble presents through lecture and demonstraton the principles he has used with the Luther College Nordic Choir. Thousands have benefited from this lecture over the years. Now for the first time, Weston Noble's lecture has been recorded for choral conductors to study and analyze so they can apply these principles to their choral ensemble, regardless of experience. By using the principles presented, not only will the sound of the choirs improve, but conductors will also realize an immediate improvement in intonation and rhythmic clarity in their ensembles. In addition to the principles Weston Noble has used to achieve optimum standing of his singers, he discusses the following important issues: - beginnings and history of his experimentation with standing arrangements - Robert Shaw's use of this system (rather than "quartet standing") for creating vertical sound columns in the choir -mimimizing vibrato in choirs using effective standing procedures - improving the singers' ability to hear each other - use of "altos in front" choral arrangement to vastly improve intonation - use of the "flip-flop" to achieve different choral colors.

Dr. William Dehning has been the head of the Choral Department at University of Southern California since 1992. His choirs have wowed audiences worldwide and at the ACDA National Convention. Employing his no-nonsense tone, dry wit and deep passion, he tells all that is good and all that should be changed in the world of choral conducting. Never has so much valuable information been included with so much personality. Laugh and learn with this spectacular book!

Songlist: Who, The Score, The Craft, The Instrument, The Ensemble: Vocal Considerations, The Ensemble: Choral Considerations, The Ensemble: Sisters, The Process, Them, Us, Acknowledgements

This book was written to assist the conductor of choral music in the educational process of improving the choral sound, especially in the junior high/middle school and senior high school. A highly practical approach has been taken in presenting various tops: how to work with the voice as a changing and growing musical instrument; how to develop a "characterist" choral sound; how to organize rehearsal time and effort; how to utilize multiple languages in choral singing; and, how to develop a curriculum for taining the voice and musical "ear."

Songlist: Realizing The Potential Of Young Singers, Designing The Voice Class, Teacher Guidelines, Choral Techniques, The Conductor's Ear, Auditions, Singing In Multiple Languages, -Spanish, -Hebrew, -German, -French, Ear Training, Tonality, Diction, Writing Minor Scales, Intervals and Triads, Chromaticism