[HANASHIR:10079] Re: starting a youth singing group (choir)

[DMG686 <DMG686...>]

Dear Chevre,
I have to agree with Adrian on this.  There is a lot more to starting a youth 
choir than just getting the kids to sing with enthusiasm.  I think that 
enthusiasm and excitement on the part of the instructor is very important.  
One thing to remember is that young voices need nurturing.  Proper warm-ups 
are a must for any singer, and in a key that will not harm young voices.  I 
have found through our pop culture that our young people are not using enough 
of their head voices, but that the keys are such that children's voices are 
being concentrated in their chest voices.  As a result, when they get older, 
they still do not know how to use their full voice, and think that anything 
other than chest voice is singing opera and something to laugh at.  Also, 
don't forget that around the 7th and 8th grade male voices begin to change 
and need to be handled with care.  I agree with Adrian that your School 
Director should be helping you to become more musically knowledgable, for the 
extra benefit of you and your young singers.  Good luck with your program.

B'Shalom,
Donna Gordon

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