High+School+Choir

This lesson was developed for use with the Freshman choir I am working with, but what it teaches can be used with any choir. The lesson builds a lot upon things we've already been discussing and then uses those as it continues teaching new material. It's a good way to keep the students engaged and keeps them learning while solidifying previous knowledge.

Concepts/Skills/Values: Dynamics, Breath Support

National Standards: 1 Singing

Behavioral Leraning Objective: Using markings in the score as a general guide, the students will be able to demonstrate dynamic contrast throughout the piece, especially with a crescendo on whole notes before key changes.

Materials: "Down to the River to Pray" arr. Sheldon Curry

Sequence: 1. Review the breath release exercise (all air out, hold, release to take breath in) 2. Do this breath release exercise 3-4 times, explain that it will be used during quick rests. 3. 54321 "vah vah vah vah vah" and then switch to just vowels, then switch to staccato. This will help with pitch accuracy. Keep jaw relaxed and vowels tall. 4. Bumblebee with dynamics. Watch conductor for dynamic to sing. Change initial consonants.

6. Take out down to the river to pray. 7. Review the 4 concepts we've discussed (breathing, vowels, initial consonants, dynamics) 8. Review what happens on sustained notes, especially on whole notes and how to use breath to make it happen. (movement, crescendo, etc.) 9. Students should follow dynamic markings on the page and also crescendo into the key changes. 10. Use the image of starting at the top of a distant hill, and as the song progresses, coming down the hill, getting louder/stronger. 11. Sing through the piece, following the dynamics. Review specific markings in the song (hushed intensity, etc.) 12. Make sure the students are producing a good "H" on the hums at the end to get the breath activated and moving. 13. Assessment: Discuss with students what they had to do to make the dynamics happen. Discuss why the "H" might be a good tool to use to increase the sound while the students are humming.

13. Finish up the solo auditions. Students wishing to audition come to the front and form a line and sing the solo together and then individually.