This is a Web Quest for secondary choral music students or for choral music teachers desiring to find resources on the web. It was designed by Sahara Waiters, Choral Director at Seneca and Central High Schools, as a web project for the EDTD675 Web Use and Publishing class.
So often, choral students complain about the choices of music their conductors make when preparing for a concert. If you are a student, do you remember the last time you said, "This is stupid! I hate this music, I wish we were singing something else!" Well, Music Maker, here's your chance to make a change! Your conductor has fallen ill, and as the Assistant Conductor, you've been given the opportunity to research and find concert material in which to prepare the choir for it's Spring Concert.
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Your Challenge
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Resources
Listed are a variety of publisher's sites. Use one or more of the following sites to find appropriate music for your concert.
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The Process
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Learning Advice
Okay,
everyone is now prepared to perform. What's
next?
You are now ready to organize your
concert. Think about your audience. Thinks of the student's stamina.
Vocally challenging music may need to go at the beginning of your
program. What is the level of sophistication of your audiences
musical experiences? Keep in mind that students must constantly by
challenged with a variety of music. Your selections should not be
"dumbied down" just because of the student's or their parents
underdeveloped appreciation for variety of musical styles and
genres.
Consider the performance order of the individual pieces. Pieces by the same composer can be performed in blocks. Mini works can be either at the beginning or at the end of a program separated by a brief intermission. Group individual pieces in a way that intersperses up tempo numbers and slow numbers. Provide verbal transitions by the conductor or selected students. speaking directly to the audience. Audiences welcome brief introductions and/or interesting anecdotes to further enhance their listening experience.
Make your concert program eye catching and engaging. Using free graphics or icons heighten the overall appearance of your program. Include the names of the performers, soloists, accompanists, and guest artists. Students cherish something tangible to remember the choral experience, especially when they feel that it was a wonderful performance. Parents are proud to see their child's name in print!
The following notes are directed toward the adult user:
Provide adequate introductions to new music and engage in activities that further the understanding of the music. Activities such as having students summarize the text, improvise on a motive or melody in the music, or use the internet to research the composer, lyricist, or poet. Have the students write program notes for the works, individual pieces, or featured composer. After students have completed the drafting, editing, peer conferencing and rewriting processes, choose one or several of the best examples of student's work to be featured in the concert program.
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Conclusion
There is nothing more frustrating to a new teacher or an experienced teacher than to feel like every program or every combination of pieces has been performed. We don't want to get bored with a standard repertoire, neither do we want to feel helpless in our desire to find new music. I challenge you to continue to look for that next great piece. Continue to challenge your students or choir members to step eagerly into new musical adventures. Finally, continue to encourage and broaden the musical awareness of both the performers and the audience.
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