The purpose of this session is to provide strategies for secondary choral music teachers encouraging greater critical thought and connection between score study and planning for sequential instruction. Attendees will examine four diverse selections from beginning MS to advanced HS. Using a score analysis template, musical characteristics, structure, and vocabulary will be considered while challenges and solutions in rhythm, pitch, vocal technique, and text and vowel problems will be identified. Attendees will apply their score analysis to a unit plan template addressing student prior knowledge, standards and objectives, and repertoire-specific warm-ups and sight-reading. Lastly, attendees will consider a rehearsal plan for each selection working backwards from the performance to the first rehearsal to identify sequential rehearsal procedures and opportunities to integrate student individual/group assessment.
Target Audience
Middle and high school in-service and pre-service choral music teachers
Additional Notes
Clinician Info
Carson Zajdel
Carson Zajdel is a Music Education PhD student at The University of Illinois, having spent over a decade in the secondary choral music classroom. He holds degrees in music education and choral conducting from The University of Utah and Temple University. Current qualitative research pursuits include equity issues in secondary music, public school music staffing practices, and the pedagogical importance of piano skills possessed by secondary choral music teachers.. A veteran professional chorister, Zajdel continues to perform with The Philadelphia Symphonic Choir and The Philadelphia Orchestra.