DO WE LEARN MORE THAN SONGS IN A CHILDREN’S CHOIR REHEARSAL?
Abstract/Description
Taylor Davis
Murray State University
DO WE LEARN MORE THAN SONGS IN A CHILDREN’S CHOIR REHEARSAL?
Abstract
The Paducah Symphony Orchestra Children’s Choir is an organization created in the late 1990s that encourages children from the Western Kentucky region to further their musical knowledge and ability through evening rehearsals and performances. The author observed the chorus over the span of approximately one year to investigate the different types of knowledge that are presented within choral rehearsals.
The children involved in the Paducah Symphony Orchestra were recorded for future analysis to determine the nature of their interactions and the types of learning patterns displayed. After observation for one year, it was concluded that there are many more concepts learned in a choral rehearsal setting than the pitches and rhythms of the choral repertoire that they are preparing to perform.
In a choral rehearsal, students learn vocal technique, rhythm, and pitch accuracy as the choral repertoire is rehearsed further and further in depth. However, social skills, cultural knowledge, musical literacy, audiation accuracy, musical repertoire, and terminology are also prominent within every lesson of every rehearsal. This study identifies several of those additional concepts.
DO WE LEARN MORE THAN SONGS IN A CHILDREN’S CHOIR REHEARSAL?
Taylor Davis
Murray State University
DO WE LEARN MORE THAN SONGS IN A CHILDREN’S CHOIR REHEARSAL?
Abstract
The Paducah Symphony Orchestra Children’s Choir is an organization created in the late 1990s that encourages children from the Western Kentucky region to further their musical knowledge and ability through evening rehearsals and performances. The author observed the chorus over the span of approximately one year to investigate the different types of knowledge that are presented within choral rehearsals.
The children involved in the Paducah Symphony Orchestra were recorded for future analysis to determine the nature of their interactions and the types of learning patterns displayed. After observation for one year, it was concluded that there are many more concepts learned in a choral rehearsal setting than the pitches and rhythms of the choral repertoire that they are preparing to perform.
In a choral rehearsal, students learn vocal technique, rhythm, and pitch accuracy as the choral repertoire is rehearsed further and further in depth. However, social skills, cultural knowledge, musical literacy, audiation accuracy, musical repertoire, and terminology are also prominent within every lesson of every rehearsal. This study identifies several of those additional concepts.