On October 4th, 2016 I observed the Intermezzo Choir at the Community School of Music and Arts in Ithaca. Sarah Linfors is the conductor and music educator for that group. Sarah also has a rehearsal accompanist and two student interns, Sarah and Daniel Block. The choir is made up of students 9-13 years old. The room where rehearsals are held is a big open room that looks like an old church space. Chairs were set up for students in straight rows and a name tag was placed on each seat. The piano was positioned to the side of the teacher and the choir. There was a music-staff blackboard positioned at the front of the room. This set up allowed students to be close to their teacher and the pianist without being too close or way too far away.
As …show more content…
She began right away with their repertoire, the Pergolesi Suite. She challenged students with a my-turn-your-turn game in order to work on what they learned in the last rehearsal. After this students spoke texts in rhythm as a class and then to their neighbor. While speaking the text in rhythm to their neighbor, students had to use their own musicianship and knowledge. Sarah Linfors kept a steady beat for the five minutes of this game. Sarah Linfors then sang the sections that were just worked on. She provided a strong model as she sang with correct posture, light and free tone, correct articulation, and precise vowels. This allowed students to hear what their part should sound like. Sarah Linfors introduced and taught about slurs, crescendo/decrescendo, trills and staccato. She used specific examples from the Pergolesi Suite in order to connect the musical concept to the music. When a few male sings were singing in the wrong octave she corrected this by asking students to sing with the "who" in their voice. She then had Daniel the intern model what a high siren sounds like in order for the male students to hear an appropriate …show more content…
Music is a growing skill that promotes socialization. Special learners benefit from any experience with social interactions. In music class there is no emphasis on verbal response instead students just make music. Students have the freedom to show music in their bodies and respond in their own way. This is very rewarding for any music maker. In order to successfully teach a group of special learners, the teacher must know their students. Thoughtful preparation and creativity are needed when creating a class that is designed to meet all students needs. Overall, a good teacher will take every student into consideration while planning in order to create a fun, successful learning
As …show more content…
She began right away with their repertoire, the Pergolesi Suite. She challenged students with a my-turn-your-turn game in order to work on what they learned in the last rehearsal. After this students spoke texts in rhythm as a class and then to their neighbor. While speaking the text in rhythm to their neighbor, students had to use their own musicianship and knowledge. Sarah Linfors kept a steady beat for the five minutes of this game. Sarah Linfors then sang the sections that were just worked on. She provided a strong model as she sang with correct posture, light and free tone, correct articulation, and precise vowels. This allowed students to hear what their part should sound like. Sarah Linfors introduced and taught about slurs, crescendo/decrescendo, trills and staccato. She used specific examples from the Pergolesi Suite in order to connect the musical concept to the music. When a few male sings were singing in the wrong octave she corrected this by asking students to sing with the "who" in their voice. She then had Daniel the intern model what a high siren sounds like in order for the male students to hear an appropriate …show more content…
Music is a growing skill that promotes socialization. Special learners benefit from any experience with social interactions. In music class there is no emphasis on verbal response instead students just make music. Students have the freedom to show music in their bodies and respond in their own way. This is very rewarding for any music maker. In order to successfully teach a group of special learners, the teacher must know their students. Thoughtful preparation and creativity are needed when creating a class that is designed to meet all students needs. Overall, a good teacher will take every student into consideration while planning in order to create a fun, successful learning