Choral Artistry

A Kodály Perspective for Middle School to College-Level Choirs, Volume 1

Micheál Houlahan and Philip Tacka

Kodaly Today Handbook Series

Offers a new understanding of the connection between performance, repertoire, music theory, sight-reading, improvisation, and musicological knowledge
Uses a Performance to Notation model for teaching music theory in the context of the choral rehearsal
Provides choral directors with a curriculum and rehearsal models that place performance, audiation, partwork, music theory, and sight-signing skills at the heart of the choral experience

Choral Artistry

A Kodály Perspective for Middle School to College-Level Choirs, Volume 1

Micheál Houlahan and Philip Tacka

Description

Choral Artistry provides a practical and organic approach to teaching choral singing and sight-reading. The text is grounded in current research from the fields of choral pedagogy, music theory, music perception and cognition. Topics include framing a choral curriculum based on the Kodály concept; launching the academic year for beginning, intermediate, and advanced choirs; building partwork skills; sight-reading; progressive music theory sequences for middle to college level choirs; teaching strategies; choral rehearsal plans as well as samples of how to teach specific repertoire from medieval to contemporary choral composers.

As part of the Kodály philosophy's practical approach, authors Micheál Houlahan and Philip Tacka employ two models for learning choral literature: Performance Through Sound Analysis Pedagogy (PTSA) and Performance through Sound Analysis and Notation (PTSAN). Both models delineate an approach to teaching a choral work that significantly improves students' musicianship while engaging the ensemble in learning the overall composition in partnership with the conductor. The final chapter of the book includes rubrics to assess the effectiveness of a choral program. This book does not purport to be a comprehensive choral pedagogy text. It is a detailed guide to helping choral directors at all levels improve the choral singing and musicianship of their students from a Kodály perspective.

Choral Artistry

A Kodály Perspective for Middle School to College-Level Choirs, Volume 1

Micheál Houlahan and Philip Tacka

Kodaly Today Handbook Series

Acknowledgments
Introduction .

Chapter 1. Framing a Choral Curriculum Based on the Kodály Approach

Chapter 2: Getting Started: What to Teach During the First Few Weeks of a Choral Program

Chapter 3: Laying the Foundations of Choral Singing Using Folk songs and Folk Song Arrangements

Chapter 4. Developing Part-work Skills in the Choral Rehearsal for Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Choirs

Chapter 5: Sound Ways to Develop Audiation, Reading, and Music Theory Skills in the Choral Rehearsal

Chapter 6:Music Theory and Sight Reading Sequence for Level 1 Choirs

Chapter 7:Music Theory and Sight Reading Sequence for Level 2 Choirs

Chapter 8 : Music Theory and Sight Reading Sequence for Level 3 Choirs

Chapter 9: An Organic Approach to Teaching Sight-reading in the Choral Rehearsal

Chapter 10: How We Learn Impacts How We Teach: Creating an Effective Teaching Strategy for Choral Rehearsals

Chapter 11: Putting It All Together: Choral Strategies and Rehearsal Plans

Chapter 12. Evaluation and Assessment in the Choral Rehearsal

Choral Artistry

A Kodály Perspective for Middle School to College-Level Choirs, Volume 1

Micheál Houlahan and Philip Tacka

Kodaly Today Handbook Series

Author Information

Micheál Houlahan is Professor of Music Theory and Aural Skills and Chair of the Tell School of Music at Millersville University of Pennsylvania. He is also a visiting professor of music at the China Conservatory of Music, Beiijing.

Philip Tacka is Professor of Music at Millersville University of Pennsylvania. He is also currently a grant evaluator on the American Fellowship Panel for the American Association of University Women.

Choral Artistry

A Kodály Perspective for Middle School to College-Level Choirs, Volume 1

Micheál Houlahan and Philip Tacka

Kodaly Today Handbook Series

Reviews and Awards

"By covering a broad range of topics, from the logistics of running a school choral program to a thoughtfully-sequenced music literacy pedagogy, Choral Artistry and Sightreading are a significant contribution to the literature, and a compelling argument for the broad application of Kodály-inspired philosophy at any level." -- Joshua Habermann, Artistic Director, Santa Fe Desert Chorale

"These volumes cover a wide expanse of pedagogical practices for secondary and collegiate-level ensembles progressing from the step-by-step nuts and bolts to complex theoretical concepts. Furthermore, they provide a deeper understanding of processes for developing a solid singing foundation that are accessible for all levels of abilities – from beginners to more advanced ensembles." -- Lynn M. Brinckmeyer, Professor of Music, Associate Dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communication, and Director of Choral Music Education, Texas State University

"Too many times I meet people who do not understand what is special in being a choral conductor, why does one need to study it. Their opinion is, that any musician can do it. This wonderful book answers this question. This book teaches you the real craft, what is 'behind the scenes', behind the well-trained and well-practiced gestures. It will take you through the steps in the process with great detail on every level. What we see on the stage, what we hear when a choir sings beautifully is just the icing on the cake. This book will show you the way to achieve it in a holistic, unhurried and honest way." -- Esther Hargittai, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Liszt Academy/Kodály Institute