This belief was manifested through his rehearsal techniquespreparation of a work was a process of gradual transference of accountability from the podium to the. This volume is a resource of rehearsal techniques with accompanying explanations of the techniques presented. Throughout his career, robert shaw believed that choral ensembles should exist on the same level of artistic competence as professional orchestras. Geoffrey boers, director of choral activities school of music singers today are often asked to perform in a variety of styles and genres, causing the. Rehearsals of four outstanding choral conductors were examined to isolate techniques used and time spent in developing choral tone.
At concert time the focus must be on expression, not technique. Foremost among these soft spots in my teaching method would have to be pacing of rehearsals. The class will integrate the techniques you have addressed in your choral music leadership learning in other venues we expect you will use all prior learning as well a current learning to improve your rehearsal skills suggested reading chorus directors manual. The foundation of vocal technique for the very young singer grades k 2 involves appropriate singing posture, a natural breathing motion, finding the head. Master choral conductors robert page and christine jordanoff share vocal techniques for the choral educator. Participants included four collegiate choral conductors who have been identified as experts in the field of choral music as evidenced by national and international acclaim. Robinson in workshop events as he teaches directors creative rehearsal techniques. Statement of the problem america is comprised of diverse people, philosophies, and preferences. Tools and techniques for success arlington, va july 2017 instructors. Easy to read, understand, and apply, the material in beyond the downbeat covers many important aspects of choral leadership beyond conducting. Robinson introduces and demonstrates his rehearsal techniques for choral instruction helpful to choir directors, ensemble leaders, and individual vocalists. On various occasions, shaw employed the following seating arrangements.
Contemporary vocal rehearsal techniques interest session handout. Three keys to effective choral rehearsals for young adolescents. The accompanist and the rehearsal skill teaching within the rehearsal how to teach artistic phrasing rehearsal accountability. A teachers affair with his underage student jolts a group of teenage girls into a new awareness of their own power. Inner thoughts o i would ask my actors to rehearse, although at any given point i would call inner thought. How to eliminate any and all rehearsal distractions choral. May, 2016 home forums choral discussions rehearsal techniques for conductors this topic has 3 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 3 years, 11 months ago by tim sharp.
In this ambitious and comprehensiveyet practicaltext, james jordan and a team of expert contributors give practical insights drawn from many decades of experience in the rehearsal room. Rehearsal techniques are strategies used to ensure concise and successful choral rehearsals. This attractive dvd is a firstclass presentation showing actual footage of dr. Learn fundamentals of rehearsing music ensembles from the university of north carolina at chapel hill. Because of our diverse cultural traditions, we also have developed varied musical preferences, tonal biases, and the performing of genres specific to cultural and musical diversity. The material is practical for choirs of any size and leaders at any level of training. Beyond the downbeat choral rehearsal skills and techniques. Rehearsal techniques for choirs, choruses and vocal ensembles. This is done through the introduction and nurturing of intrinsic, selfevaluation that ultimately results in personal rewards achieved from connecting the technicalmusical study material to specific performance challenges. Dec 03, 2015 try even 12 techniques each rehearsal when you come back in january and see if you can capture a renewed sense of energy and focus in your choir. This program is a firstclass presentation showing actual footage of dr.
Listing all potential rehearsal distruptions and actions the first step in this process is figuring out all of the frequent andor common events that can occur within a given rehearsal. Innovative strategies for choral warmup and rehearsal. Doing so however requires the teacher to think in terms of planning the rehearsal not just for a single day, but toward building an effective rehearsal cycle each one building on the previous days activities. There are 3 steps to eliminating any and all disruptions from our rehearsal.
Choose which pieces you want to rehearse and put them in order. Muco5301 choral conducting and techniques new orleans baptist. Hammer away at the tricky section by all means, but always leave a bit of time at the end of rehearsal to a run something that youve worked on in the rehearsal, or b have an sing of something in the repertoire. Organized in 11 focused categories, the purpose of every warmup is evident, and clearly stated directions optimize growth. Dont be tempted to interrupt and correct anything at this stage yes, you will have to be strong. At the first rehearsal of a piece, start with that section of the piece that you find most beautiful, most expressive, or most exciting. Some directors are highly structured and plan their rehearsals that way, down to the exact number of minutes to give to every part of the rehearsal. Apr 17, 2017 rehearsal planning should provide for the successful transfer of individual learning ownership into students hands.
Developing vocal technique in the choral rehearsal dr. The wellplanned choir rehearsal oregon catholic press. It pays to figure out how to get the group to learn notes. Choral techniques is written for conductors of high school, college, church and com munity choirs. Regarding our rehearsal technique, however, what we say and how we say it has a direct affect on both the effectiveness. Apr 22, 2016 talking in rehearsal using words to facilitate music.
I usually rehearse sundays anthem and service music first, then 56 anthems from the folder progressing from new or newer to more familiar, ending with something the choir knows well maybe next sundays anthem. The singer in concert who focuses on technique risks boring the audience. Learn and practice the basic principles of running an effective music ensemble rehearsal. Movement in the choral rehearsal is overt physicality applied to every dimension of. Easyplay to use right away on your phone, tablet, laptop and pc. Techniques for conducting a church choir with angela westhoffjohnson. Techniques and strategies are applicable to a variety of ensembles, including bands, orchestras, choirs, and chamber groups. Invented for choirs of all skill levels, james jordan covers a wide range of subjects and features sections devoted to. Throughout his career, robert shaw believed that choral. Rehearsal techniques used to build choral tone by four expert.
In the article thompson points out that the pace of the rehearsal is often in the eye of the beholder. You will see him discuss the challenges of todays choral classroom with candor and humor. Creative rehearsal techniques for todays choral classroom. The spirit of the rehearsal, rehearsal preparation and planning, how to listen, conducting gesture as a rehearsal technique, the accompanist and the rehearsal, skill teaching within the rehearsal, how to teach artistic. Choral rehearsal technique june 8 july 31, 2020 register today. Awakening artistry in the choral rehearsal come children sing. Your rehearsal pacing or the energy that is perceived to be flowing in a rehearsal depends largely on your reaction to success, failures, mistakes, peaks, climaxes, etc. Vocal exercises for choirs group warm ups and rehearsal. Process must be considered to be just as important as product.
Choir rehearsal game plan there are as many different ways to approach a choir rehearsal as there are choir directors. One blindfolded player runs towards the line of people. This volume deals with the atmosphere of the choral rehearsal and score analysis techniques. This belief was manifested through his rehearsal techniques preparation of a work was a process of gradual transference of accountability from the podium to the. What we as a teacher may see as being extremely fast paced may to a student seem very slow and boring. Apr 11, 2016 a successful, productive choir rehearsal takes proper preparation, careful planning, good time management skills, and attention to detail. Creative rehearsal technique for todays choral classroom. Please click on your voice part to try a free easyplay sample which is the first movement from handel messiah. Apr 29, 2015 choral rehearsal techniques bcm music education. Until the notes are learned, theres not much else you can do with the literature. The key was recognition that these youngsters were able to learn rapidly when repertoire and instructional methods were continually adjusted to. I recommend dividing your rehearsal time into five components. Allison king and dallas bergen course description this class will focus on elements of leading a choral rehearsal including warm ups, teaching and introducing new music to singers, working with a variety of singers, score preparation.
Choral techniques energizing the rehearsal youthcue. Based on ongoing state and federal recommendations to reduce the spread of coronavirus, this summer rider university is providing remote and alternative instruction and is committed to providing the same quality programming in an exciting new format. Rehearsal techniques and games drama games in rehearsals the blind run delivery of lines the group lines up across one end of a large room. Rehearsal of christ church choir in april 9, 2014 duration. Vocal improvisation 12bar blues form in the key of c standard harmony using only root, third, fifth, and seventh scale degrees of each of the three chords. It is selfevident that teaching our choristers to read music will greatly assist them to sing independently in parts.
Here are some examples of events that occur during rehearsals. S1 s2 a1 a2 t1 t2 b1 b2 seated in a semicircle with s1 on the conductors left and b2 on the right. In the younger grades this warm up time is an excellent place to work on teaching and reinforcing long term goals and concepts. Andy beck each exercise in this valuable resource is designed to reinforce fundamental vocal concepts for choral and solo singers of any age. For every rehearsal, create a seating arrangement that seems best suited to the singers andor the rehearsal plan for the day. Beautiful choral tone quality rehearsal techniques of a director. The literature available helps create a multifaceted vocal pedagogy that can be used within all ccm in the choral rehearsal. Contemporary vocal rehearsal techniques 2016 florida music educators association conference dr. There are helpful hints and ideas for every choral director and is geared for maintaining student interest and maximizing their musicianship. Rehearsal techniques and games by scarlett jordan on prezi. In addition to a rehearsal lineup, take the time during the summer break if you have one to plan the choir season. In discovering how singers perceive the use of movement in rehearsal and understanding their attitude toward.