Children's Choir Observation #2

1. 3/10

Warm-ups, then riser placements. Everyone had a spot and window. 

Their vowel shapes are unbelieveable. I am honestly in awe. I can't believe the sound that is coming from a group of this age. They sound better than some high school groups I have heard. 

Kyle asked the students to change something, and they all grabbed their pencils and wrote it in. 

Models what he's looking for, which is main teaching strategy. 

"We are the Voices" 

In tune, great vowel shapes. 

The middle section has so many parts. And the chords are clashing. 

Dynamics!! Follow the markings with obvious piano and forte. 

Clear consonants. 

This piece is very challenging it seems. 

They sang while Kyle took notes on what he heard. 

Asked a child to come in front of the goup and say what he heard. He was a leader and called on others by name. Confident. The kids responded with great answers. I stared with eyes wide open (not kidding). "On page 17, we could work better on consonants." 

"When we sing heart, it sounds like hard."

"We need to work on being softer. Measure 18."

Kyle said that he loved that everyone was writing what the group said down. 

The child at the front facilitated and called on other students to answer. 

(Leadership... but an equal leadership."

For the chords at a quicker tempo, he zoomed in on them and had them hold out. He waited for the chords to lock in. He modeled the vowel he wanted. SSA. 

Made some jokes to keep the group interested. Engaged. Eyes wide and show with his body how he wants the group to sing. 

Hope is the Thing with Feathers

Run-through without music. Expressions are really good. Some are a little flat, but that's me being picky. 

Carmina 

In another language. Kyle held a metronome in front of them to keep them in tempo. 

Choir Compliments

Kyle goes down the list and compliments the student. In detail. This is great. 

Sanctus
Spoke the text with a singing talk. (higher in the voice)

Tap across chest to keep tempo 

LEADERSHIP. He asks the group to listen, and talk about what they hear. Everyone is confident and musical. Very smart and in tune with their voices and musicality.

Hands Across the Universe
Starts conducting right away and the accompanist begins to play. Got the kids' attention, and they