Choral Conducting : Focus on Communication

by Decker, Harold A.; Kirk, Colleen J.

• ISBN13: 9780881338768
• ISBN10: 0881338761
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1995-10-01
• Publisher: Waveland Pr Inc

Table of Contents

Preface	ix
Prologue: The Importance of Communication	1	(2)
The Conductor	3	(3)
Interpreter of Music	3	(1)
Teacher of Skills	3	(1)
Organizer of Experiences	4	(1)
Self-motivated Learner	5	(1)
Sensitive Human Being	5	(1)
Relating Gesture to Musical Expression	6	(24)
Posture	7	(2)
Position of Arm and Hand	8	(1)
Right Hand Gesture Movement	9	(1)
Character and Style of Gesture Communication	10	(4)
Marcato Practice	11	(2)
Staccato Practice	13	(1)
Legato Practice	13	(1)
Leggiero and Portato Character	14	(1)
Meter and Tempo	14	(2)
Duple Meter	15	(1)
Triple Meter	15	(1)
Preparatory Gesture	16	(1)
Practice of Sound Preparation	16	(1)
The Fermata	16	(3)
Fermata Practice	18	(1)
Association of Gesture Practice and Music	19	(1)
Timing and Character of Cues	19	(1)
Subdivisions of Meter	20	(4)
Additional Gesture Practice	23	(1)
Left Hand Gesture	24	(5)
Facial Expression	29	(1)
Preparing for Music Making: Score Study	30	(51)
Establishing Historical Perspective for Score Study	31	(38)
The Renaissance (ca. 1430-1580)	31	(10)
The Renaissance-Baroque Transitional Period	41	(1)
The Baroque Era (1580-1770)	41	(13)
The Classic Period (1770-1830)	54	(1)
The Romantic Era (1830-1900)	55	(3)
The Twentieth Century	58	(11)
Procedures for Score Analysis	69	(2)
Score Analysis Models	71	(10)
Score Marked for Rehearsal	75	(6)
Creating Music with the Choral Instrument	81	(22)
Practical Suggestions	82	(1)
Examples of Score Study: Rehearsal Presentation Guides	82	(21)
The Rehearsal: Aesthetic Performance	103	(15)
Responsibilities of the Conductor	104	(7)
Rehearsal Planning	104	(4)
Improving Aural Acuity	108	(1)
Rehearsal Principles	108	(1)
Long-Range Planning	109	(1)
Rehearsals with Instruments	110	(1)
Focus in Rehearsal Planning	111	(3)
Children's Choirs	111	(1)
Adolescent Choirs	112	(1)
Adult Choirs	113	(1)
Church Choir Rehearsals: Special Considerations	113	(1)
Models for Rehearsal Planning	114	(4)
Developing the Choral Instrument	118	(18)
The Physiology of the Singing Process	119	(3)
Breath Management	119	(1)
Phonation	120	(1)
Resonance and Amplification	121	(1)
Diction	122	(5)
Vowels: Phonetic Spelling	123	(1)
The Schwa (e) and Unaccented Short I (I) Vowels	123	(1)
Diphthongs	124	(1)
Consonants	125	(1)
Rhythmic Timing of Consonants and Diphthongs	125	(1)
The American r	126	(1)
Additional Suggestions for Placement of Consonants	127	(1)
Sensitivity to Text	127	(3)
Word and Syllable Stress	127	(1)
Text and Structure	128	(1)
Text-Timbre Relationships	129	(1)
The Added Dimension: Communication	130	(1)
The Singing Process: A Sequence of Developmental Exercises	130	(2)
Preparation for Singing: Posture and Physical Movement	130	(1)
Breathing and Phonation	131	(1)
Additional Exercises	132	(4)
Exercises for Proper Beginning of Sound (Phonation)	132	(1)
Associating Breath Connection with Vowel Stream	132	(1)
Encouraging Resonation	132	(1)
Extending Range	133	(1)
Developing Vocal Agility	134	(1)
Developing Clarity of Articulation	134	(2)
Developing Musical Skills and Responsiveness	136	(14)
Listening	136	(1)
Ear Training and Sight Singing	137	(10)
Choruses of Children	138	(5)
Choruses of Adolescents or Adults with Minimal Reading Skills	143	(4)
Awareness of Phrasing	147	(1)
Sensitivity to Relationships	148	(1)
Cognition	149	(1)
Recapitulation	149	(1)
Selecting Repertory and Building the Concert Program	150	(26)
Criteria for Repertory Selection	151	(2)
Vocal and Emotional Maturity	151	(1)
Teaching-Learning Objectives	151	(1)
Artistic Potential and Musical Responsiveness	152	(1)
Guides for Examining Editions	153	(1)
Facilitating the Search for Repertory	154	(1)
Concert Programs: Philosophical and Practical Considerations	155	(3)
Encouraging Musical Growth and Understanding	155	(1)
Providing Aesthetic Satisfaction	155	(1)
Ensuring Enjoyment of Singers and Audience	156	(1)
Serving Special Occasions	156	(1)
Developing Community Feeling	157	(1)
Building a Concert Program	158	(4)
A Unifying Theme	158	(1)
The Shape of a Concert Program	158	(1)
The Opening Selection	159	(1)
Placement of Music Demanding Intense Concentration	159	(1)
Placement of Serious and Lighter Selections	159	(1)
Contrast within Sections	160	(1)
Audience Participation	161	(1)
The Program Ending	161	(1)
Types of Concerts	161	(1)
Examples of Program Building	162	(9)
Examples of Centerpieces for Concert Programs	171	(5)
Epilogue	176	(3)
Sensitivity	177	(1)
Proportion	177	(1)
Relationship	178	(1)
Appendix A Projects for Students of Conducting	179	(8)
Appendix B Guides for Teachers of Conducting Classes	187	(16)
Appendix C Capitalization of Titles and Pronunciation Guides	203	(10)
Capitalization of Titles	203	(1)
English	203	(1)
Latin, Italian, and French	203	(1)
German	204	(1)
Phonetic Spelling and Pronunciation in Foreign Languages	204	(9)
Phonetic Equivalent Chart	204	(1)
Liturgical Latin	205	(2)
German	207	(3)
French	210	(3)
Appendix D Selected Repertory	213	(18)
Children's, Adolescents', Treble, and Male Choruses	213	(15)
Music for the Church Choir	228	(3)
Glossary	231	(9)
Bibliography	240	(5)
Music for Class Study and Conducting	245	(124)
Index	369