Beyond Words: Creative Text Exploration in the Choral Rehearsal
Saturday, January 29, 2022
8:00 AM - 8:45 AM
Description
A distinguishing element of choral music is text, but too often, we bypass rich discussion of its meaning with our singers. Rather than the conductor supplying a single, top-down interpretation, leading singers through the right discussion structure can give students more creative agency. Drawing from practices in culturally responsive teaching and communally devised theater, I offer strategies for helping singers connect their personal narrative to choral texts and bridging individual and group interpretations. As a result, singers feel more invested in their repertoire and part of a stronger ensemble.
Speakers
Learning Objective 1
Identify opportunities to creatively explore text from choral repertoire with singers
Learning Objective 2
Adapt strategies from theater and language arts to generate individual and group connections to the text
Learning Objective 3
Structure activities to flatten hierarchies of power, ensuring everyone's voice is valued
Target Audiences
Choral
Session Level
Middle School/Junior High, High School, Collegiate
Session Type
Lecture