BUILDING TONE AND

SELF CONFIDENCE IN

THE MIDDLE SCHOOL

CLASSROOM

Can there be a link here to the first clip?

Introduction

The problem: How do you create beautiful tone when everyone is too self conscious to try? Work with individual students or the whole

class? Creating a safe environment Sectionals Working phrases and classroom techniques Balancing time, teaching technique and the

curriculum

Working with the whole class Fixing just a couple of students tone

problems while working with the entire class

Warm-ups Listening Vowels, vowels, vowels

Working on a piece Taking time in the rehearsal

Creating a Safe Environment Zero tolerance for negativity in the

classroom Demonstration Taking risks yourself Accepting the students where they are Whenever possible separate the genders ALWAYS compliment the students,

remark on what they have done well before moving on to the critique.

Sectionals

Small group of students lends the ability to grow a close bond

Start out by hearing about their day Vocalize Record the rehearsal and play back for

the students What did they hear? What are they going

to do the same/ different this time End on a positive note

Working Phrases and Classroom Techniques

Open, Tall, More air: What does that actually mean?

Using hand motions and diagrams Experimentation James C McKinney, four steps to lift the

soft pallet Pull lips back into forced smile Lips are forward and mouth is almost

closed Protrude lips forcibly Relax lips and open jaw –IDEAL SOUND

Practical Applications

Worked on vocalization in sectionals Safe environment

Experiment with students First had them vocalize with no instructions Then asked for ‘Tall’, fixed posture, warmer

tone, lift the soft pallet. HERE IS WHERE I WANT THE REST OF THE

CLIPS IN ORDER THANK YOU!

Balancing time

How to make time for everything? Knowing when the students will work

and when it is time to move on. Always make time to show the students

you care Ultimate goal:

Fun, safe, learning environment Opportunity to express ones self through

music Building relationships with students

Conclusion

Findings in the classroom Working with the students in small sections

leads to great results Tone needs to be worked on everyday Use consistent phrases

Always a work in progress

Resources

Carefully crafting the choral rehearsal: Meeting Challenges by David L. Brunner

http://www.menc.org/v/chorus/carefully-crafting-the-choral-rehearsal-vi-meeting-challenges/

published November 1996 MENC journal Remember the Joy of Singing by Pete Seeger

http://www.menc.org/v/chorus/remember-the-joy-of-singing/ published by MENC

The Diagnosis & Correction of Vocal Faults by James C McKinney 1st edition, Waveland Press Inc. 2005

The Functional Unity of the Singing Voice by Barbara M. Doscher 2nd edition, The Scarecrow Press Inc. 1994

School Girls: Young Women Self-Esteem, and the Confidence Gap by Peggy Orenstein 1st edition, Doubleday 1994

Teaching Music in the Secondary Schools by Charles R. Hoffer 5th edition, Schirmer, Cengage Learning 2001

Thank You

Kim Faulkner, choir director Olivet Middle and High Schools

8th grade choir students at Olivet Middle School Suellyn Henke and all of the Education Staff My parents and friends who have supported me

throughout student teaching