This book approaches choral music education based on the principles of comprehensive musicianship and aesthetic education. Within that philosophical framework it includes all of the practical topics covered in a choral methods or choral conducting class. An important focus of the book is the development of student musicianship through the choral music education program.

Features

• Details how a comprehensive approach to choral music education benefits students and instructors and presents strategies for its implementation.
• Includes a lengthy chapter on rehearsal techniques including many practical suggestions on the diagnosis and correction of choral problems.
• Contains a chapter on developing conducting technique with a variety of carefully chosen examples drawn from choral literature to illustrate various conducting problems.
• Gives a basic outline of choral music history and literature, along with information concerning musical style, and strategies for making choral performances stylistically distinctive.
• Takes the view that the development of individual vocal technique in students is an important part of the choral music educator's task.

Introduction.


Chapter 1. Building Tone.

Introduction.
The Vocal Mechanism.
Warm-Ups. Diction.
Collective Choral Tone.

Summary.
Questions.
Suggested Reading.

Chapter 2. Rehearsal Planning and Techniques.

Introduction.
Rehearsal Planning.
Rehearsal Communication.
Diagnosing Choral Problems.
Teaching Music Reading.
Junior High Issues.
Evaluating Rehearsal Technique.

Summary.
Questions.
Suggested Reading.

Chapter 3. Developing Conducting Skill.

Introduction.
Developing Clear Conducting Gestures.
Expressive Conducting.
Evaluating Conducting Technique.

Summary.
Questions.
Suggested Reading.

Chapter 4. Performance.

Introduction.
Preconcert Rehearsals.
Logistical Concerns.
Program Building.

Summary.
Questions.
Suggested Reading.

Chapter 5. The Score.

Introduction.
Selecting Music.
Analyzing the Choral Score.
Score Study Applications.

Summary.
Questions.
Suggested Reading.

Chapter 6. Style in Choral Singing.

Introduction.
The Renaissance (1450-1600).
The Baroque Period (1600-1750).
The Classical Period (1775-1825).
The Romantic Period (1825-1900).
Twentieth-Century Music.

Summary.
Questions.
Suggested Reading.

Chapter 7. Administrating the Choral Music Education Program.

Introduction.
Organizational Principles.
Organizing the Comprehensive Choral Music Education Program.
Recruitment. Budget.
Purchasing Choral Music.
Fund-Raising. Scheduling.
The Choral Library.
Wearing Apparel.
Parents Organization.

Summary.
Questions.
Suggested Reading.

Chapter 8. Planning for Special Events and Specialized Ensembles.

Introduction.
Contests and Competition.
Clinics and Festivals.
Tours and Travel.
Specialized Ensembles.

Summary.
Questions.
Suggested Reading.

Chapter 9. Comprehensive Choral Music Education.

Introduction.
Developing a Personal Philosophy of Choral Music Education.
Choral Music in the United States.
The Basic Principles of Comprehensive Choral Curriculum.

Summary.
Questions.
Suggested Reading.

Chapter 10. The Choral Profession.

Introduction.
Student Teaching.
Securing your First Position.
Professional Growth and Development.
Ethics.
Discipline.
Research in Choral Music Education.
The Future of the Profession.

Summary.
Questions.
Suggested Reading.