Philosophy of Teaching
I believe that musical education should be available to all students, regardless of age or ability. Music education encourages and fosters creativity, high order thinking skills, teamwork, and dedication and should therefore be included in all well-balanced educational programs.
Music is unique in that it offers many opportunities for cross-curricular learning. Music theory can be integrated with math, music history and social history can be taught side by side, and the study of texts used in choral works are easily related to language studies.
In addition to the many excellent academic opportunities available through music, participation in an ensemble provides access to community. Creating and presenting art as a member of a chorus can be an incredibly powerful experience that challenges, bonds, and heals and should therefore be accessible to any and all students who wish to participate.
Sacred Music Statement
One of the most important elements of excellence in choral music education is the selection of high quality repertoire. While there is plenty of wonderful secular music, a choral director who strives to choose the best musical literature for his or her program will invariable select pieces with sacred texts.
While I strongly object to religious indoctrination with a public school, I do believe that studying sacred music from an academic viewpoint will enrich both the program and the education of the students. Denying them any music with a religious text is to severely limit their understanding of choral music and deprive them of access to some of the greatest music ever written. As stated in the American Choral Directors Association "Sacred Music in Public Schools" statement, "...such an exclusion has as its parallel the study of art without any paintings related to the various religions of the world... or the study of architecture without reference to the great temples and cathedrals of the world."
My goal is not to alter the beliefs of any student, regardless of religious affiliation. I simply want to open their eyes to the rich history of choral music and help them connect with this great art and with one another.
Philosophy of Singing
The foundations of good choral singing come from the correct use of breath and the employment of resonance. As a high school instructor, my goal is to help young voices develop into healthy instruments and to give students an understanding of their vocal mechanism.
To achieve these goals, my work with students will focus on a connection to the body and breath, and proper placement of the voice in "the mask".
Choral rehearsals should be physical workouts. Each warm-up will include time for body movement and awareness, as well as a strong focus on breath support and control. Connection to the body will also be an important element in rehearsal. By employing physical movement to show phrasing, rhythm, and dynamics, students will remain free of tension and receive a deeper understanding of their voice and the correct way to use it.
"The mask" refers to the front of the face and the resonance chambers therein. By learning to utilize these chambers, singers drastically improve their tone, range of dynamic levels, intonation, and subtlety of musical expression. This technique also insures that students are able to sing healthily and can protect their instruments to allow for a lifetime of music-making. Each warm-up will include exercises that teach students what it feels like to place their voice in the mask, and my selection of repertoire will reflect my desire to develop this important skill in my singers.
