Larynx and Vocal Tract

As a choral director you must always keep in mind the fragility of your ensemble's instruments! Using photos like these in your classroom really helps the students understand their instrument and what is happening as sound is emitted. Explain to your classroom briefly the function of the larynx and the rest of the bucco/oral/nasal cavities that form the Vocal Tract and produce sound. It may seem odd, but pointing out the actual anatomy to your choir really helps to put things into perspective!

Conducting a 7 pattern

Have you ever tried to figure out the best way to conduct a 7 pattern? Here are some great examples applicable to any music, you simply must try them out for the best fit! Practice the different patterns until you feel most comfortable using a particular one with your literature; much of it depends on the phrasing and text as well.

Fundraising

Fundraising-Ideas

Fundraising! It can be very painful and sometimes too expensive! However, here is a website that provides numerous - and many economical - fundraising ideas that are sure to not only benefit the bank, but the student unity and involvement as well! One of my particular favorites is the 'Flamingo Flocking' or 'Sneaky Flamingos,' using something silly, cheap, and fun to involve your students as well as fellow teachers or staff in the school benefits everyone, and brings attention to your choral program. Fundraisers are organized by topics, so you're able to click on an area of interest and see a plethora of possibilities; navigating around the website is thankfully simple. Also available are comments on how affective some of them are. Ideas such as these are essential to building and maintaining your program.

Breathing

Breathing for Singing for Dummies

Encouraging name, isn't it? However, there are some very good instructions on this website! Although they are lacking in a scientific and anatomical approach/language, there are good analogies and word painting for when addressing your choir. Instructions such as "breathe in has though the air were heavy and sinking past your belly button" is a good visual image, as well as the truth to "you will feel your abdomen and lower back expand." You will always be looking for new adjectives to describe the singing process to your students. The material of this particular website is easily understood and readily accessible, simply read down the page and pick out what you like and dislike. I would note that this section is published in the book, Singing for Dummies, and uses information from valid singing literature sources.

Choral Conducting Literature

http://www.singers.com/choral/conducting/

Literature for the continued advancement of studies is imperative! This is a fantastic website for resources on choral conducting from the podium as well as from the education classroom. Use these texts to grow and learn from, constantly honing technique and method to best meet the needs of your students. Texts on leadership and communication are just as important, if not more, as information on conducting technique. Here you will find information from some of the best conducting instructors listed down the page. Many of these texts you will find in conducting curriculum in programs around the country, so many are instructional while some lean more in the area of linguistic and semantics challenges when addressing your choir. A well-organized and resourceful site that I highly recommend!