Choral Sight Reading

Description

Choral Sight Reading provides a practical and organic approach to teaching middle school to college level choral singing and sight-reading according to the Kodály Concept of Music Education, through a series of step-by-step practical lesson plans and instructions that can be used in choral rehearsals.

• Provides an understanding of the connectivity 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 the practical applications of theories outlined in Volume 1 (Choral Artistry).

About the Author(s)

Micheál Houlahan, Professor of Music Theory and Aural Skills and Chair of the Tell School of Music, Millersville University of Pennsylvania, and Philip Tacka, Professor of Music, Millersville University of Pennsylvania

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.

Table of Contents

Unit 1 Phrase and Form
Unit 2 Beat, Meter, Rhythm
Unit 3 Simple Melodic Patterns
Unit 4 Simple Rhythm Patterns: First Division of the Beat
Unit 5 Orientation to the Pentatonic Scale: Trichord 1
Unit 6 Orientation to the Pentatonic Scale: Trichord 2
Unit 7 Simple Meter: Second Division of the Beat and Basic Patterns
Unit 8 Major Pentatonic Melodies
Unit 9 Simple Meter: Second Division of the Beat and More Complicated Patterns
Unit 10 The Extended Pentatonic Scale
Unit 11 Upbeats
Unit 12 Syncopation
Unit 13 Minor Pentatonic Melodies
Unit 14 Dotted Notes
Unit 15 Orientation to the Major Scale Pentachord and Hexachord Melodies
Unit 16 Simple Meter: Second Division of the Beat and Dotted Note Combinations
Unit 17 Major Scale
Unit 18 Triple Meter and Changing Meter
Unit 19 Orientation to Minor Scales
Unit 20 Compound Meter: First Division of the Beat
Unit 21 Natural Minor Scale
Unit 22 Compound Meter: Second Division of the Beat
Unit 23 Harmonic Minor Scale
Unit 24 Compound Meter: Second Division of the Beat and Dotted Notes
Unit 25 Melodic Minor Scale
Unit 26 Renaissance Style Compositions
Unit 27 Baroque Style Compositions
Unit 28 Classical Style Compositions
Unit 29 Romantic and Twentieth Century Style Compositions

Reviews

"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