[HANASHIR:6156] Re: Directing a Children's Choir

[Freedabet <Freedabet...>]

Go sit in on some rehearsals of local choirs (youth or adult).  That will 
give you some ideas of practical techniques for teaching music and conducting 
by example.

You can find other directors and perhaps local workshops by finding the local 
ACDA (American Choral Directors Assn.) chapter in your area.

Michael Freed

-------- REPLY, Original message follows --------

> Date: Wednesday, 31-May-00 01:35 PM
> 
> From: Barton1320 (at) aol(dot)com       \ America Online: (BARTON1320)
> To:   Hanashir Mail Server     \ Internet:    (hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org)
> 
> Subject:  [HANASHIR:6152] Directing a Children's Choir
> 
> Sender: owner-hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org
> Reply-to:       hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org
> To:     hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org
> I hope I have sent this correctly.  This is my first time communicating via 
> this list.
> 
> First, I have to say how much I have enjoyed receiving information through 
> this list.  As enjoyable is reading the variety of discussions on songs and 
> song leading.  It's been very educational.
> 
> I am part of a directorial team for our Youth Choir.  We began this program 
> last year and completed the active year with a resoundingly successful 
> performance at our May congregational meeting.  However, as a trial 
program, 
> we kept the songs performed throughout the year rather simple, and were 
> satisfied with the fact that the children showed up and sang all of the 
words.
> 
> Our plans for the upcoming year are somewhat more aggressive.  Which leads 
me 
> to my request for help.  We have two very competent musicians backing up 
the 
> choir on guitar, one of which who scours this list for new and innovative 
> music.  My primary role is directing the choir.  I play piano, dabble in 
> guitar and sing.  But my directorial experience is nil.  Can you suggest 
> resources for learning how to pull a choir such as this together?  I'm 
> primarily interested in ways to help the children learn the music (although 
> we plan to make tapes of the music for the children to listen to), some 
good 
> ways to organize the group according to range and ability (the choir is 
open 
> to children of all ages with the caveat that their parents help them keep 
up 
> with the musical requirements), techniques for rehearsal to help the choir 
> progress from learning to learned to innovative performances (i.e., solos, 
> rounds, perhaps some harmony). I'm sure there is much I've left off, but 
this 
> message is getting long.  Any direction to web-sites, books, or other 
sources 
> would be greatly appreciated.  Although what we lack in knowledge is more 
> than made up in enthusiasm, we would really like to get on track to helping 
> our children make the most of their abilities.
> 
> Thank you.
> 
> Linda Barton
> Temple Shir Shalom
> Duluth, Georgia
> 
> 
> 
> 

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