International
Education Symposium 2007
Class
Handouts
Go to 2008 IES Handouts
Go to 2009 Directors' Seminar and Judge Training Handouts
All
the World is a Stage
Learn how to strengthen the three main tools of communication used by
public speakers as well as actors and singers.
Analytical
Listening
Improve your listening skills to better understand level differences.
Learn how to plan for improvement at each level while looking at the
different skills necessary to move forward. Open only to Director Track
participants.
Analytical
Listening for Novice Directors
This class will analyze the major aspects of the sound category. It
will use taped examples of problems and praiseworthiness of performances
as they relate to sound. Items covered will include, among others: individual
coning; part balance; balance; chord tuning; synchronization; oversinging;
blend and various vocal skill issues.
Anatomy of the
Voice
The physical structure and workings of the vocal tract are explained
and demonstrated. Individual singers are used to demonstrate and evaluate
tone production and placement.
Angst-Free Show (The)
Using a chorus’ existing repertoire, learn to create an entertaining
script and staging to encourage a more theatrical and professional presentation.
For show team, directors and script writers.
Art of Delegation
(The)
Enhance the effectiveness and output of committees by dividing up the
work. Examine the do’s and don’ts of delegation and how
to follow up without hovering. Create support for the project and avoid
possible burnout for the chair by involving more chorus members.
Art of Possibility
(The) - Parts 1 & 2
After viewing the Ben Zander videotape “Leadership: An Art of
Possibility,” use the class to connect its inspiration and motivation
to every aspect of your chorus life. Learn to radiate possibility, membership
satisfaction and manage stress.
Art of Woodshedding
(The)
Learn to trust your ears! An introduction to “ear singing.”
Lots of class participation as singers learn when to move and which
chords ring. Take singable melodies and create the harmonies around
them.
Articulation
Learn to achieve better production of consonants, diphthongs, and continuous
tone flow through demonstration and class participation. Use the seminar
songs to practice the techniques demonstrated.
Assistant Director
Workshop: Assisting My Chorus
Second in a series of classes for assistant directors, the session includes
ways the assistant director can assess the needs of the chorus, sectional
goals, individual vocal or behavioral issues and offer assistance which
will benefit the entire chorus.
Assistant
Director Workshop: Assisting my Director
The first class in a series developed for assistant directors, this
session focuses on the many roles of an assistant director in helping
with the directing and leadership of the chorus while also developing
the assistant’s skills. Find effective ways of working as a team
in enhancing the musical product and the well-being of all.
Assistant
Director Workshop: Communication Skills
The musical leaders determine the tone of the rehearsal and the culture
of the chorus. Learn skills for addressing a group at meetings, rehearsals
and one-on-one while promoting direct, positive results.
Assistant
Director Workshop: Directing Skills
Explore elements of directing techniques and listening skills, applying
them to your work with the chorus. Enhance your awareness of conducting
gesture and effect on the singer. Seek opportunities to assist your
chorus with clear, precise communication through your directing skills.
Use symposium songs as conducting examples with the class members.
Attracting
Younger Members
Discuss the factors that attract younger members and keep them involved.
Image, rehearsal climate, music selection, recruiting techniques, assignment
of responsibilities, adaptation to individual schedules will be included.
Ballad Choreography
for Quartets
When body language matches the musical movement and lyrical intent of
a song, and four people execute it as a ‘unit’, audiences
(and judges) can’t help but respond with their hearts! See a visual
plan for a ballad created on the spot for a demonstration quartet.
Barbershop
Style for Novice Directors - Parts 1 & 2
Analyze the elements that distinguish this style of a cappella music
and its performance. Use that knowledge to enhance your interpretation,
coning, balance, music selection and delivery in this two-part class.
Open only to Novice Director Track.
Beginning
Music Theory, Pitch - Parts 1 & 2
Part 1 -
Pitch, Scales and Key Signatures
Part 2 -
Intervals Identification by Sight and Sound
Beyond Energy
Directors and choreographers watch a choreographer/coach inject “heart
and soul” singing into the delivery of a demonstration chorus.
Define what performance energy is and how it is exhibited and maintained.
Breathing and
Alignment (formerly Posture and Breathing)
Participate in vocal exercises and warmup that demonstrate the effects
of good posture on your singing voice. Learn how to support a well_pro-duced
voice. Free up the body to allow your best quality voice to emerge.
Build it and They Will
Come - Part 1
Part 2
Plan a membership growth and retention program which promotes “guilt-free”
membership. Discuss ways to attract members who will enhance your chorus.
Identify methods and resources to keep members involved, happy and fulfilled.
Building a Vocal
Warmup Routine
As a director, you need to warm-up your chorus but where do you start?
Learn how to decide which warm-ups to use and how to put together a
plan for a warm-up routine for your chorus. Learn why some warm-ups
are better than others, depending on your specific need. Open to DCP
members and Directors only.
Changing from
a Chapter Board to an Integrated Management Team
Participate in an interactive discussion group on how to make a smooth,
successful transition if your chapter has decided to move into team
management. Identify pitfalls to avoid, focus on building trust, team
responsibility and accountability, confidentiality, and other issues
to ensure success.
Choreography
That Makes Musical Sense
Using performance videos supplied by participants, faculty will analyze
visual plans. Do the visual elements of these performances make musical
sense? Why or why not? How could these choreographic plans be adjusted
and enhanced to coexist more logically with the musical delivery, lyrical
message, inner dynamics, emotional changes, etc. Open to Choreography
Track participants only.
Communicating
with your Audience
Write emcee material that is more than just jokes. Include performance
techniques utilizing dialogue, focal points, public speaking skills.
In-class experiences include writing exercises, brainstorming approaches,
and on-stage exercises.
Conducting
for Novice Directors - Parts 1 & 2
A two-part conducting session for novice directors, this class will
cover basic beat patterns, hand gesture, entrances and cut offs for
clarity of communication with the chorus. Class attendees will have
the opportunity to practice their skills, with feedback from a master
director. Open only to Novice Director Track.
Conflict Management
This interactive class will teach RMT members how to mediate a conflict
between individuals or groups within their region. Participants will
engage in practice scenarios and be taught how to give the power of
problem solving and conflict resolution to those who own the challenge.
Open only to RMT Track.
Conflict
Management and Resolution
Prevent conflict through preparation and practice models of prevention
or early resolution. Use role playing to demonstrate mediation and counseling
techniques.
Costuming - Parts 1
& 2
Update your chorus and quartet Handouts2007 during this two-part class. Discover
the basics about costume color and design to enhance your performance.
Open only to Choreography Track participants.
Creating
a Visual Plan - Chorus
Develop the entire visual plan, including concept for choreography and
showmanship, staging, image and delivery. Define the relationship between
the musical and visual elements of a song. Use scenarios to develop
the presentation plan.
Creating
a Visual Plan - Quartet
Develop the entire visual plan for your quartet, including concept for
choreography and showmanship, staging, image and delivery. Define the
relationship between the musical and visual elements of a song. Use
scenarios to develop the presentation plan.
Creating
a YWIH Program for your Chorus
Participate in a discussion for chapter YWIH coordinators and those
who would like to start successful YWIH development. Learn various models
and discover the assistance available through the headquarters office.
Use the YWIH Guide for Chapters as a resource book.
Creating
and Using Beat Sheets to Enhance Expression
This is an effective tool to getting the performers to “tell the
story” and “be the character”. Borrowing from the
world of musical theater, we will explore the techniques of clarifying
the story through scenario and writing the beat sheet that becomes the
performers’ map of the story, and experiment with steps of how
to use the beat sheet in rehearsal and performance. Open only to Director
and Choreography Track participants.
Developing
Resonance in the Young Voice - Parts 1 & 2
Understand the unique capabilities of the healthy, developing voice.
Learn effective explanations and demonstrations to help young singers
understand how to resonate freely and develop a full sound without strain.
Director
and Choreographer in a Character Driven Performance
When we change our packaging from concert style to musical theater style,
what adjustments do the choreographer and director have to make? In
this class we will look at how the musical and choreography plans work
in a character driven package, and what new skills would be helpful.
Directors
and Administrative Leaders: Working Together for the Common Good
Do you ever question how the leaders in your chorus can work together
effectively? Do you have, or wish for, a good sense of decision-making
responsibilities? Do you need some guidance to help rewrite or rethink
the Job Descriptions that are currently in place? Is there ever a question
about who is supposed to do what? Are your Core Values and Goals shared
by the entire membership?
Diva Management
- Parts 1 & 2
Learn strategies and techniques to manage all the divas in your chorus
- from the initial Divas Wanted campaign to assimilating the new divas
into your group while keeping everyone in the chorus happy. We’ll
also explore what causes our divas to leave so you can meet those challenges
face on.
Education
Coordinators Network - Parts 1 & 2
Education Coordinators meet with a facilitator to discuss and process
topics specific to their coordinator group. Open to RMT Track only.
Effective Coaching and Coaching
TLC
Learn coaching etiquette, the order in which skills should be evaluated,
benefits of effective communication, structure for a coaching session
and how to handle tender egos with care.
Effective Team =
Results You Want
There are many components involved in turning a group of individuals
into an effective working team. This class examines the benefits of
teamwork, the stages of team development, and team functioning and assessment.
Energy:
The Ebb and Flow of It
Learn how to find and focus your energy for a consistent connection
to your audience. Practice techniques to bring your performance and
your delivery of the music to a more personal level.
Everything
You Wanted To Know about Acting But Were Afraid to Ask - Parts 1 &
2
What has acting got to do with singing? This two-hour class will include
improvisation, theater games, scene work and packaging.
Finale for Beginners
- Parts 1 & 2
Begin to work with the Finale music notation software program, set up
your manuscript for barbershop arrangements, navigate simple note entry,
speedy entry, playback controls, and lyrics. This class is for musicians
with computer and mouse experience.
Finance
Coordinators Network - Parts 1 & 2
Finance Coordinators meet with a facilitator to discuss and process
topics specific to their coordinator group. Open to RMT Track only.
Flash, You’re
It
If you’ve ever wondered how to prioritize your coaching instruction
you’ll have an unthreatening opportunity to try out your skills
in this class. All coaches are given flash cards which state areas of
improvement. At a given signal during the demo quartet performance,
each coach holds up the flash card of her/his choice and then the results
are discussed by the group.
Flying Solo Using Warmup
Tapes
Use vocal warmup tapes to your best advantage. Learn many vocal warmup
exercises to build your own skills and to take back to your musical
leadership roles in the chorus or quartet.
Four Agreements
(The) (formerly Motivational Hot Buttons)
Keep it fresh, keep it positive, keep yourself going! Find those motivators
that renew and energize you as director, coach or chorus leader.
Four on the Floor
Learn and practice vital techniques for the quartet's visual and showmanship
performance including the entrance, exit, pitch-taking, emceeing, and
applause acceptance.
Four on the
Floor for YWIH Quartets
Specially designed for YWIH quartets, learn and practice vital techniques
for the showmanship in your quartet’s performance including the
entrance, exit, pitch-taking, emceeing, and applause acceptance. Open
only to YWIH and Music Educator tracks.
Function
of Baritone Notes (The)
What makes baritones special? Participate in an active class on baritone
swipes, moves, function in chords, tuning. etc. For baritones!
Fundamentals
of Publicity and Writing for Public Relations
Participants work together to recognize and develop effective writing
technique for PR purposes. Introduces “Selling Sweet Adelines”
as a valuable tool.
Get Comfortable
Acting Barbershop Style
Practice a series of workshop-style, active exercises that directly
relate to the barbershop style. Communicate through the music to the
audience.
Get Out of Your
Own Way
A plan for successful performing/competing complete with exercises designed
to assist directors and all levels of singers to “transcend the
technical” aspects of performance. Topics covered: letting go
and allowing the chorus (singer) to perform; connecting with the audience;
leaving your ego back stage; finding your natural voice; releasing tension
and managing performance anxiety; and perfection vs. performance.
Getting to
Know the Music
Visually and audibly identify part relationships, duets, trios and more.
Incorporate skills to sing them balanced and in tune.
Give ‘Em a Show They’ll
Never Forget
Discussion of the finer points of a breathtaking show package - song
selection, successful sequencing and pacing, as well as emceeing dos
& don’ts. Tips for accentuating the positive in your group
and in your musical product.
Heart and Soul of Rhythm
(The) - Parts 1 & 2
Part 1: Reading, performing, identifying and writing simple rhythms,
Part 2: Reading, performing, identifying and writing more complex rhythms.
This class is an excellent followup to the Rhythmic Expansion Class.
How Creative People
Do What they Do – You Can Too!
An entertaining glimpse into the inner-workings of the mind of the creative
(and often slightly twisted) genius. Exercises in innovative thinking
help to bring out the creative genius in all of us.
How Do You Spell Grow
How important is getting them if we can’t keep them? Discuss the
strengths of happy choruses and how they retain members while adding
new ones.
How Showmanship
Relates to other Categories
Understand how the showmanship category is tied to and defined by the
other three categories. Use this understanding to help your physical
delivery enhance your musical interpretation.
How the Director
and Choreographer Work Together
Learn from a championship team, as directors and choreographers explore
effective means for enhancing the music, teaching the choreography,
dividing the rehearsal schedule and developing a positive working relationship.
How the Judging Categories
Interrelate
The interrelationship of the four categories and how the overlapping
of the various facets of each category affects the judging system. Open
only to members of the International Judging Program.
How to be a Great Baritone
Experienced vocal coaches examine the unique characteristics of the
baritone part and its role in barbershop harmony. Class members use
the seminar songs to practice the skills and understand the baritone
part’s challenges and joys.
How to be a Great Bass
Experienced vocal coaches examine the unique characteristics of the
bass part and its role in barbershop harmony. Class members use the
seminar songs to practice the skills and understand the bass part’s
challenges and joys.
How to be a Great Lead
Experienced vocal coaches examine the unique characteristics of the
lead part and its role in barbershop harmony. Class members use the
seminar songs to practice the skills and understand the lead part’s
challenges and joys.
How to be a Great Tenor
Experienced vocal coaches examine the unique characteristics of the
tenor part and its role in barbershop harmony. Class members use the
seminar songs to practice the skills and understand the tenor part’s
challenges and joys.
How to be a Great
YWIH Baritone
Experienced vocal coaches examine the unique characteristics of the
baritone part and its role in barbershop harmony. Class members use
the YWIH chorus songs to practice the skills and understand the baritone
part’s challenges and joys. Open only to Music Educators and YWIH
Tracks.
How to be a Great YWIH
Bass
Experienced vocal coaches examine the unique characteristics of the
bass part and its role in barbershop harmony. Class members use the
YWIH chorus songs to practice the skills and understand the bass part’s
challenges and joys. Open only to Music Educators and YWIH Tracks.
How to be a Great YWIH
Lead
Experienced vocal coaches examine the unique characteristics of the
lead part and its role in barbershop harmony. Class members use the
YWIH chorus songs to practice the skills and understand the lead part’s
challenges and joys. Open only to Music Educators and YWIH Tracks.
How to be a Great
YWIH Tenor
Experienced vocal coaches examine the unique characteristics of the
tenor part and its role in barbershop harmony. Class members use the
YWIH chorus songs to practice the skills and understand the tenor part’s
challenges and joys. Open only to Music Educators and YWIH Tracks.
How to
Do a PVI
This class offers training guidelines and skill-building for teaching
music staff to give personal vocal instruction. It provides an outline,
gives advice on where to begin and what to do when you are in over your
head or should recommend professional attention.
How
to Give Yourself a PVI
Listen to yourself and use these tips and techniques for self-coaching.
How
to Look Great in a Butterfly Stampede
Acquire techniques for managing stage fright and learn ways to relate
more effectively to your audience.
How
to Move Like a Dancer
Ever wonder what makes a dancer seem to "float or glide?"
Tricks of the trade from the world of dance to add special finesse and
inner power to make choroegraphy flow and seem effortless. You will
find out what makes the difference and will
have the tools to teach the techniques and add polish to your chorus.
How
to Use Your Classical Training with Barbershop Harmony
Using a demonstration quartet, an experienced vocal coach and music
teacher makes the transition from classical training into the barbershop
style. Individuals within the class will have the opportunity to be coached as they try the application on their own
voices.
I Can’t Find My
Piano
Use your own eyes and ears and other available resources to complete
a crash course in sight-singing.
Identifying Vocal
Skills & Styles
This class will explore various styles, qualities, and performances
of prominent lead singers in Sweet Adelines International. The purpose
is to further identify and develop a deeper appreciation for divergent
vocal expertise. Open only to members of the International Judging Program.
Instant Level for
Choruses
Use chorus videotapes to understand the characteristics, strengths and
weaknesses that determine judging levels. Understand how judges set
an instant level and work from it during the rest of the evaluation.
Intermediate
Music Theory, Chords - Parts 1 & 2
Building basic barbershop chords based on their intervallic structure
Part 2 -
Identifying and writing barbershop chords and their voicings within
the music
Just Call Me Shakespeare:
Making Your Text Come Alive
Learn to use the text of a barbershop song as a dramatic script and
explore the elements of character study and subtext to enhance your
vocal performance.
Kinesthetics
of Singing
Understand the relationship of muscle motion and the physical act of
singing; relate the muscle use to sound production, texture, volume
changes and interpretation.
Let’s Face the Music
How to teach effective facial expressions that enhance the emotional
attitude and delivery of your music. Experience how to change the intensity
of energy for each expression and physically match the sensation of
each attitude to help get it across the foot lights!
Let’s Get
Physical
Endorphins affect your performance! Join this physical demonstration
of stretches for your body and your voice in preparation for singing.
Gain an understanding of endorphins and use them to your advantage.
Life of Rhythm (The)
This class will focus on rhythmic application such as pulse, backbeat,
syncopation and the essential subdivided beats, and demonstrate the
differences in rhythmic emphasis according to music style. We follow
the journey of one typical rhythmically challenging song from idea to
result and share and discuss the traps we are exposed to when dealing
with keeping a tempo steady.
Long-Range Planning
Strategically Speaking
New Regional Leaders will explore the process and structure of regional
long range planning, addressing their region’s needs, with the
moderator of the Regional Leaders Coordinators. Open only to RMT Track.
Magic of Laughter
(The)
Share the joy in a class designed and taught by Karen Breidert. The
class will remind us of what keeps us coming back, of how to inject
appropriate humor in our shows and performances, and of our need to
make the world lighter and brighter.
Making Warmups Fun
& Productive
Use your strongest people in front of the chorus to set the tone for
the rehearsal night. Define the purpose of your warm up session, who
should lead it, and design physical and vocal exercises to enhance your
teaching.
Membership
Coordinators Network - Parts 1 & 2
Membership Coordinators meet with a facilitator to discuss and process
topics specific to their coordinator group. Open to RMT Track only.
Meter
Meter is defined by the strength and pattern of weight given to beats.
Proper weighting of beats is as important for rhythmic vitality as vocal
technique is to achieving a beautiful sound. A strong sense of meter
helps the interpretation planning for text to fall into place, for shifting
meters to be easily navigated, and for syncopation to play against the
expected weight. Making meter come alive in our barbershop ballads and
uptunes can transform the musical performance.
Music Category
Discussion
Music Judges will be discussing trends, opinions, strengths and weaknesses
of the songs and arrangements done in the contest setting and the suitability
of these songs and arrangements to the performer. Of importance will
be the discussion of how the material is chosen for contest fits the
barbershop style and suits the performer. Part 4 will include IMAP members
to discuss "What Do Judges Want?" Open only to members of
the International Judging Program.
Music Selection
for Directors
Learn what to look for in choosing appropriate, singable music for your
chorus including difficulty ranges, suitability to the chorus ability
and chorus personality. Open to Director Track participants only.
Musical Techniques
for Small Choruses
A class with a demo chorus which highlights teaching strategies for
choruses who are 35 and under in number. Pitch matching/tuning, synchronization,
tone/vowel flow, accuracy, independent singing and movement are all
part of this class. Learn to motivate your singers to want to be the
best they can be through weekly activities that require learning/retention
on the part of the singer! Open to Directors, Assistant Directors and
DCP members.
Music
in the Morning - Betty Clipman
New RMT Orientation
First year regional leaders meet to gain perspective on their individual
positions and their roles within the team. Open to RMT Track only.
Now Tell Me...Just What
Was She Saying?
This class is designed to read the comments made by the judges on their
score sheets and determine what they were saying and to use these comments
to establish goals for the coming year.
On Your Way Up
Learn five vital skills that will improve your scores in all four categories.
Prioritize your rehearsal time to include these skills and apply them
to each song in your repertoire.
People
Skills for Novice Directors
Directors examine the most vital skill required for their ongoing success
with a chorus. Only Novice Director Track participants may attend.
Performance
Packaging for Quartets
Use the principles that guide international championship quartets while
tailoring your own quartet performance plans. Know what is appropriate
for music and emcee materials, dress, preparation, timing, attention
to details.
Performance
Plus Personality - Synergy
Discover, develop and deliver the personality within your part, releasing
your personal energy and building unity. Experience the joy and excitement
of synergistic performing!
Person to Actor to
Character
Practice acting out a story line as you sing. Take various actors, emulate
their styles through basic acting lessons aimed at bringing you outside
your familiar self. Expand your creative possibilities.
Phonation &
Resonation
Exercises and warmups demonstrate methods for achieving good resonance,
correctly produced vowels and accurate intervals.
Planning
For Your Success
Chorus leadership needs to consider: what are we going to do, who’s
going to do it, how will it get done, will we need help, who is leading,
who’s on the team, involving the members, and did we do it? Recognizing
the necessity of every step of planning to evaluation will lead a group
to a more successful result.
Psychology
of Performance
Approach the visual aspects of performance from a musical standpoint;
understand the psychology of the performing experience and use it to
your benefit.
Putting the Motion
in Emotion
Use the visual cues of body language and facial expression to learn
and see what various feelings look like and how this non-verbal communication
can enhance the music we sing.
PVI
Take advantage of Personal Vocal Instruction offered by accomplished
vocal coaches. Two singers participate in each session. Simultaneous
sessions are offered during each of the listed periods. The two singers
watch and learn as each is instructed. *Harmony Classic competitors
should choose a period other than Thursday and Friday Periods 7 &
8 and all Saturday periods due to the chorus rehearsal schedule.
Quality
Control with Taping Programs
Learn how to use taping programs for chorus entry qualification and
performance qualification. Several alternatives will be explored to
use the tape recorder as a tool, singing in a quartet/small group, singing
in your section, etc. Also, how to take it a step further than notes
and words.
Quartet
General Coaching Session
Participating quartets are invited to register for one general coaching
session and one showmanship coaching session offered throughout the
symposium. Only Registered Quartets with all four members attending
and registered for this track are eligible for coaching. All four registrations
should be sent together. Quartets will be assigned coaching sessions
in order of registration. Sessions are available for 19 quartets.
Quartet
Showmanship Coaching Guidelines
Ready, Set, Resonate
The class will explore how body alignment, breathing, singing space,
relaxed tongue and jaw, and a relaxed body can enhance your ability
to resonate properly. The class is interactive and will leave the singer
with a new sense of vocal freedom!
Rehearsal
Planning and Teaching Skills for Novice Directors
Novice directors learn the inclusions for a well-planned and well-paced
rehearsal schedule. Warmups, repertoire review, teaching skills, attention
control, clarity, variety, and closure are among the topics covered.
Only Novice Director Track participants may attend.
Rehearsal Psychology
& Strategy
Plan your rehearsals so they build to the climax you intend, while satisfying
the emotional and musical needs of the singers and the director. Open
to Director Track participants only.
Repertoire
Construction & Management
Design a working repertoire that can be adapted to several performance
situations. Give your singers a limited number of songs to perfect,
but select them for versatility and audience satisfaction. Plan rehearsals
to keep the current repertoire performance-ready while adding new selections.
Open to Director Track participants only.
Resources and How
to Use Them
This class, for RMT Track only, will review the resources and talents
available through the international organization. The class will also
demonstrate how the Chapter Guide can be used to determine what to keep,
what to discard and how to organize records.
Rhythmic Expansion
Explore rhythmic awareness and development through the use of creative
movement. The spiral of rhythmic consciousness and the Orff-Schulwerk
process come together to help us learn to PLAY and play while we learn.
Rhythm: Let’s explore it, wear it, feel it, remember it, release
it, become it and create it! Students who choose this class should also
consider taking The Heart and Soul of Rhythm on Saturday.
Rip Your Shower Curtain
Open
Use bold techniques to enhance your showmanship and create energy. Take
the uninhibited “singing in the shower” persona on stage.
Riser Placement
- Joni Bescos
Using chorus as the demonstration group, this class on riser placement
will concentrate on the intended texture of the sound and how to reinforce
it. Open to Director Track participants only.
Riser Placement
- Pat LeVezu
Using a chorus as the demonstration group, this class on riser placement
will concentrate on the intended texture of the sound and how to reinforce
it.
Riser Placement
with Front Row Intact
Use the singers on the risers to create the sound that best reflects
your chorus strengths, while allowing your front row to remain on the
floor.
Science and Sequence
of Vocal Warmups - Using Vocal Warmups to Develop Unit Sound
Use the sequence of vocal warm ups to develop the resonant sound through
a like approach to vocal skills. Understand the order and the skill-building
necessary to deliver unit sound.
Score is Vowels 95,
Consonants 5 (The)
An experienced vocal teacher and coach examines the vowels in standard
American English and teaches exercises to improve resonance and unit
sound.
Script Writing for
a Character Driven Package
Writing emcee spots is always challenging. Bot how do we come up with
those character driven entertainment type packages that seem so fun
to perform? This class will explore this fascinating and fun vehicle,
and help you develop skills for script writing for characters.
Section Leader/Musical Leader Workshop - Parts 1 - 4
A four-part workshop for section/musical leaders will include instruction
and practice in the four areas listed: Part
1: Teaching Vocal Production Skills, Part
2: Communication Skills, Part
3: Directing Skills, Part 4:
Developing a PVI Program.
Sharing Responsibility
to Make your Quartet Lock & Ring
Define and assign responsibilities amongst quartet members to balance
the load, learn the music, cover the administrative details, maintain
the emotional balance and keep the joy in the music.
Show Production
- Sold Out: Full House - Parts 1 - 3
There’s more to putting on a great show than performing the songs.
If we build it, they may not come. So what can we do to improve our
chances of filling up the house? This class will look at the overall
show in terms of programming and event, and venue options, audience
development, marketing, and using the elements of theater to improve
our product.
Show Production
Team
Chorus shows can be a positive and successful experience even under
challenging circumstances. Reduce and manage the stress of show production
with a step-by-step team approach and a detailed timeline.
Showmanship Coaching
Pam Calveric
Leslie Forsyth
Sing it and
They Will Come
Attract new members by singing. Market your chorus through the performances
and presentations you deliver to the community.
Sing with the
Stars
This class stresses vocal freedom, extension of range, emotional singing
and the singer’s ability to “turn off the personal judgment”
and SING! We will use examples of many of our favorite female vocalists...a
fun class!
Singing Smart
Participate in a group vocal lesson using the seminar songs as a common
source. Emphasis is given to individual vocal parts and the basic vocal
production techniques needed for each.
Smart Leadership
Use your position of leadership (musical or administrative) in the chorus
to help the chorus move forward efficiently and in harmony. Realize
important people skills and work for productive meetings and rehearsals.
So What do
Those Judges Want Anyway?
Understand the basics of the judging categories and what is rewarded
in this thorough presentation of the four categories and category weights.
Realize that mistakes or vocal production problems affect all categories.
Know what basic skills are presumed as essential to any performance
and then define the finesse that elevates both the scores and your own
enjoyment.
Speech Therapy
Approach to Vocal Production
Speaking habits can build or weaken your singing voice. Use speech therapy
to strengthen and support the best in your own vocal possibilities.
Stretch Your Brain
Use your creative capabilities to manage change. Identify alternate
solutions and different ways to look at the problem.
Successful
Team Building
Use trusted methods and receive practical tips for building a successful
team. Evaluate what you have now and find enjoyable means for moving
to what you want.
Surviving
the Chorus Obstacle Course
Identify and practice win/win outcomes for common chorus problems. Communicate
effectively to solve problems, deal with difficult people and prevent
or resolve conflict.
Teaching
Skills for Choreographers
Identify a basic set of choreography “roots,” different
styles, teaching strategies, potential “sticky wickets”
and best ways of working with the director. Open only to Choreography
Track participants.
Team Building
& Volunteering - Parts 1 & 2
This class focuses on the health, happiness, effectiveness, and solidity
of your team. It includes topics such as: communication skills within
a team, nurturing and treating one another with respect, problem-solving
and conflict management, how to be visionaries instead of being “worker
bees”, recruiting and training your successors, and preventing
burn-out. Open to RMT Track only.
Ten Things I Wish I Had
Known when I First Started Directing
Know the basics that would make the first year of directing so much
easier. A class designed for novice directors and those thinking about
directing.
That’s Not What I Meant
Understand the role of communication and choose techniques for dealing
with several types of difficult people.
Tone & Texture
Understand and produce the many varieties of sound your voice is capable
of producing. Learn how to use your voice in various tones and textures,
ranging from the warm ballad voice to the edgier uptune voice.
Unit Sound
Synchronization and unit sound are the essence of barbershop harmony
performed well.
Venue Sound - Parts
1 & 2
Join guest faculty Glen Glancy as he demonstrates the aspects of setting
competition venue sound for quartets and choruses. Open only to members
of the International Judging Program.
Vocal Color and
Blend
This class uses famous singers and groups of singers to show how vocal
production skills/approach make a difference in style and blend. Lots
of listening and discussion.
Vocal Health
Understand the effects of the ways you use your voice. Learn to take
care of it for optimum health and singing ability.
Vocal
Production for Directors
Kim Hulbert works with front line chorus directors in a demonstration
and discussion of the group-teaching of vocal skills during chorus rehearsals.
Only participants in the Directors Track may attend.
Vocalists as
Athletes
Apply the athletic training, conditioning and care to your tiny throat,
tongue and laryngeal muscles as well as your major muscle groups! Treat
your body with the care and respect necessary to the prolonged use demanded
of it as a singer.
What Should I Do If...
Ideas for Dealing With the Unexpected
As leaders, we are often called on to help with problem solving. This
class examines the interpersonal skills needed to effectively assist
others in managing situations that occur due to conflicts between individuals
or groups.
What’s So Funny?
Define and identify different styles of comedy. For use in script writing
and comedy performance. Understand the organization's stance on high
quality, creative entertainment.
Why Do they Leave?
Member retention is often related to stress reduction. Finding and addressing
the sources can change the atmosphere of the chorus and keep members
happy, participating and contributing.
Why Don’t My Hands Do What My Brain is
Saying? - Parts 1 & 2
Musical leaders who are just starting to “wave their hands”
practice and refine conducting techniques for more effective visual
communication with the chorus. Use the seminar songs for vehicles and
have your directing questions ready.
Why Teach Barbershop?
Teaching barbershop harmony is educationally sound! Find out how our
hobby can be used to meet state and national guidelines and standards
in music education and choral classes. Use barbershop harmony with students
to improve the overall singing ability and musical knowledge of your
students.
Writing for
Backbeat, Syncopated Rhythms and Stomp
Learn how to communicate to the singer the rhythms you feel in your
written arrangements. Only members of the International Music Arrangers
Program may attend.
You’ve Got to Have
Heart
Building emotion and freedom into your vocal skills to bring the joy
and pathos of heartfelt delivery to reality.
YWIH Festival
Planning & Promotion
Learn the benefits and rewards of organizing a youth festival in your
city or region. Details of how to coordinate and organize a day’s
workshop include a format, timetable, communication with the schools
and follow up plans.
YWIH
In the Schools
Geared toward music educators, this class shares ideas and resources
for using the music, festivals and contests developed for youth. Resources
available through the international organization will be distributed
and ideas shared for new program development.
