Beyond Singing: Blueprint for the Exceptional Choral Program

by Stan McGill, Elizabeth Volk

(Methodology Chorals). Excellence is not something stumbled upon by accident. You won't achieve great things while flailing about in paperwork nor partake of true musical artistry by folly. Success requires a concrete plan of a big-picture plan followed by all the little details that, together, create a complex mosaic that forms a beautiful and intricate picture of choral excellence. This practical text offers a wealth of information for running a choral program. The two successful veteran teachers offer advice for dozens of solutions to issues facing the choral director. Includes online bonus material, an introduction by Paul Salamunovich, and these 1. GET READY... The Calendar for the Year, The Choir Handbook. 2. GET SET... Preparing for Class, Rerhearsal Structure and Techniques, Selecting Literature, Blueprint for Teaching Choral Literature, Effective Classroom Management. 3. GO! Conducting Concert Dos and Don'ts, Memorization, Contests and Festivals, Programming Themes and Variations, Enrichment Opportunities for Students, The Blessing of Added Extras, Identifying Prospective Audiences. 4. AFTER ALL, THEY DO CALL YOU A TEACHER! Grading Policies, Paperwork, Teaching Sight-Reading and Music Literacy. 5. TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS Copyright Law for the Choral Director, The Art of the Interview, Teacher Observations and Evaluations, Professional Resources. 6. HOW TO GET ALONG AND PLAY WELL WITH OTHERS Building Your Support System, The Recruitment and Retention of Choir Students, Effective Publicity and Public Relations. HOW TO DO STUFF Fund-Raising, Uniforms, Music Library Organization and Maintentance. 8. HOW TO KEEP THE TAIL FROM WAGGING THE DOG Show, Pop, Jazz, and Swing Choirs, Chamber Singers and Madrigal Groups. 9. WHO SAYS CHOIR IS BORING? Choir Traditions, Fun and Games, Trips, Tours, Parties, and Banquets. 10. ALL THE REST THAT'S FIT TO PRINT... Topics Overlooked in MusEd 101, The Great Miscellany of It All. 11. VAULTING INTO THE BIG LEAGUES VIPs of the Profession, "You Are Cordially Invited...", International Travel Technology in the Choral Classroom Epilogue, Table of Contents Appendix, Index

Genres: Nonfiction

264 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2007

Reviews

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book contains one of the most comprehensive and concise overviews of Choral Educator how-tos on the market today. I read it cover to cover in 2009 and I've just read it again. It covers everything from recruiting to travel, fundraising, classroom management, planning, assessment, uniforms, handbooks, copyrights law...everything you need. Also included is a CDROM with dozens of sample documents you can modify and use. The selected suggested resources for further reading are bound to go into greater detail, but this book - I will be referring to it often as I build my program.

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books that I refer to quite often. It offers very practical, down-to-earth suggestions for today's choral music educator. Even though it is mainly geared toward high school music educators, I have found its suggestions and ideas to be very beneficial with my middle school choirs. I love the quotes interspersed throughout the chapters and find the acccompanying CD helpful, as well.