WHY SHOULD ADOLESCENTS ACQUIRE A VOCAL MUSIC EDUCATION?
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Vocal Music is a Science
It is exact, specific, and demands rhythmic and melody accuracy. A choir director’s score is a chart or graph which indicates frequencies, volume changes, melody, and harmony all at once and with the most exact control of time. In vocal music we also discuss the structure of the vocal cords, how to maintain a healthy vocal instrument and the vocal anatomy used to make sounds and resonance.
Vocal Music is Mathematical
It is rhythmically based on the subdivision of time into fractions which must be done instantaneously, not worked out on paper. Music theory also discusses a lot of these subdivisions as we learn how to read music and understand its notation.
Vocal Music is a Foreign Language
Most of the terms are in Italian, German, or French; and the notation is certainly not English but a highly developed kind of shorthand that uses symbols to represent ideas. The semantics of music is the most complete and universal language in the world. In addition, in vocal music we learn to sing in foreign languages as a part of a well rounded music education that connects history with sung poetry.
Vocal Music is History
Music usually reflects the environment and times of its creation, often even the country and/or cultural feelings. In vocal music we are always discussing composers and the historical significance of why a piece was composed during a certain time period and the overall meaning of the text.
Vocal Music is Physical Education
It requires fantastic coordination and control of the lips, tongue, facial muscles, diaphragm, back, stomach, and the chest muscles which respond instantly to the sound the ear hears and the mind interprets. In vocal music we always discuss how to breathe accurately in order to sing as well as how to use abdominal muscles to support the voice.
Vocal Music is Language Arts
We are singing written texts, interpreting, discussing, analyzing, writing, and composing poetry all the time.
Vocal Music is ALL of these things, but most of all…
Vocal Music is an Art
It allows a human being to take all of these techniques and use them to create emotion; that is one thing that science and computers cannot duplicate: humanism, feeling, and emotion. Vocal music strives that we recognize beauty, that we have something to cling to, that we have love, more compassion, more gentleness and sensitivity, and more life!
It is exact, specific, and demands rhythmic and melody accuracy. A choir director’s score is a chart or graph which indicates frequencies, volume changes, melody, and harmony all at once and with the most exact control of time. In vocal music we also discuss the structure of the vocal cords, how to maintain a healthy vocal instrument and the vocal anatomy used to make sounds and resonance.
Vocal Music is Mathematical
It is rhythmically based on the subdivision of time into fractions which must be done instantaneously, not worked out on paper. Music theory also discusses a lot of these subdivisions as we learn how to read music and understand its notation.
Vocal Music is a Foreign Language
Most of the terms are in Italian, German, or French; and the notation is certainly not English but a highly developed kind of shorthand that uses symbols to represent ideas. The semantics of music is the most complete and universal language in the world. In addition, in vocal music we learn to sing in foreign languages as a part of a well rounded music education that connects history with sung poetry.
Vocal Music is History
Music usually reflects the environment and times of its creation, often even the country and/or cultural feelings. In vocal music we are always discussing composers and the historical significance of why a piece was composed during a certain time period and the overall meaning of the text.
Vocal Music is Physical Education
It requires fantastic coordination and control of the lips, tongue, facial muscles, diaphragm, back, stomach, and the chest muscles which respond instantly to the sound the ear hears and the mind interprets. In vocal music we always discuss how to breathe accurately in order to sing as well as how to use abdominal muscles to support the voice.
Vocal Music is Language Arts
We are singing written texts, interpreting, discussing, analyzing, writing, and composing poetry all the time.
Vocal Music is ALL of these things, but most of all…
Vocal Music is an Art
It allows a human being to take all of these techniques and use them to create emotion; that is one thing that science and computers cannot duplicate: humanism, feeling, and emotion. Vocal music strives that we recognize beauty, that we have something to cling to, that we have love, more compassion, more gentleness and sensitivity, and more life!
Let’s not forget that an arts education like Vocal Music…
-Promotes creative problem solving and strengthens the ability to work with others; providing an invaluable link between arts education and workforce development.
-Increases student’s self-esteem by encouraging students to take risks and to be different by thinking creatively.
-Nurtures the imagination that fuels innovation in today’s competitive works force.
-Exposes students to a broad range of perspectives giving them ability to work with people who are different from themselves....and so much more.
Paul Harvey's "On Music Education in Our Public Schools", American Broadcasting Company and Advocacy for Arts Education in Michigan
CONTINUING IN CHOIR THROUGHOUT MIDDLE SCHOOL
Below are some concerns that past middle school choir students have had about continuing in Choir, and some responses to those concerns.
“I like Choir, but…”
It’s hard. Students need challenges to stretch their limits. For some students, choir is the only class that will always challenge them. Once you become more advanced, you enjoy it even more. Music theory gets harder, sight reading gets more challenging, and choir stretches your limits. Students will feel more accomplishment when they sing well at a high level.
I don’t like to practice. Music requires discipline, which is good for all students. Anything worth doing is worth doing well, and that includes being involved in a musical ensemble.
Most of my friends aren’t in choir. Choir is not just about learning how to sing well and read music, it’s also about making new friends who share common interests with you. So, make some friends in your choir class; then you will have even more friends. Your non-choir friends will still like you.
My friend is dropping out. If your friend ran out into traffic on M-24, would you follow them there, too? Think for yourself! Do you like music? Do you like singing and performing?
I want to take another elective, too. You get to take a rotation of non-core classes (including Art and PE!) in 7th Grade in addition to your elective. In 8th Grade, you get to choose another elective in addition to choir. Once you drop choir, it’s even more difficult to come back later on, on the same page as the students who stayed, but not impossible!
I want to get a head start on a foreign language. World language is important, but you will have plenty of time to take it in high school, even if you sing in Choir all the way through 12th grade. Ask Mrs. Welling because she took foreign language, choir, and band all in high school. By the last two years of high school, you will be looking for things to fill your schedule. ALSO, there is a chance that you will be able to take the 8th Grade computer requirement individually, or test out of it, thus allowing you to take both Choir and Spanish, etc. in 8th Grade. Plus staying in choir, you get to learn how to sing in different languages anyways!
I’m not very good. Are you kidding? You go to Waldon! You are probably better than you think you are. Each student learns at their own rate. Whichever your level is, just strive to improve. That is the goal! Plus, Choir is not just about the individual; it’s about teamwork…Aka…working together to blend our sound. One of Mrs, Welling’s favorite mottos is “One choir, one sound”. We all must work together to get the best sound we can as a team!
I want to be cool and popular. You already are; you’re in choir! If you act like choir, music and performing is cool, and make it fun for yourself, it will be cool. Be confident and proud to be a member of our excellent choir program! You can still be friends with the students who aren’t in Choir.
I want to play sports. You can do both, all the way through 12th Grade. Concerts are always scheduled around sporting events. This is a non-issue.
(Parent/Guardian): I am letting my child decide. Dropping a music class is a life-altering decision that people often regret when they get older. Middle school children do not have the perspective that adults do. There are many benefits to participating in music classes. Music education does not exist to create professional musicians. It is about experiencing music, creativity, expression, building social relationships, group interdependence, and artistry – most of which are essential employ-ability skills in our global marketplace. See below for a more in-depth look into the art of vocal music.
“I like Choir, but…”
It’s hard. Students need challenges to stretch their limits. For some students, choir is the only class that will always challenge them. Once you become more advanced, you enjoy it even more. Music theory gets harder, sight reading gets more challenging, and choir stretches your limits. Students will feel more accomplishment when they sing well at a high level.
I don’t like to practice. Music requires discipline, which is good for all students. Anything worth doing is worth doing well, and that includes being involved in a musical ensemble.
Most of my friends aren’t in choir. Choir is not just about learning how to sing well and read music, it’s also about making new friends who share common interests with you. So, make some friends in your choir class; then you will have even more friends. Your non-choir friends will still like you.
My friend is dropping out. If your friend ran out into traffic on M-24, would you follow them there, too? Think for yourself! Do you like music? Do you like singing and performing?
I want to take another elective, too. You get to take a rotation of non-core classes (including Art and PE!) in 7th Grade in addition to your elective. In 8th Grade, you get to choose another elective in addition to choir. Once you drop choir, it’s even more difficult to come back later on, on the same page as the students who stayed, but not impossible!
I want to get a head start on a foreign language. World language is important, but you will have plenty of time to take it in high school, even if you sing in Choir all the way through 12th grade. Ask Mrs. Welling because she took foreign language, choir, and band all in high school. By the last two years of high school, you will be looking for things to fill your schedule. ALSO, there is a chance that you will be able to take the 8th Grade computer requirement individually, or test out of it, thus allowing you to take both Choir and Spanish, etc. in 8th Grade. Plus staying in choir, you get to learn how to sing in different languages anyways!
I’m not very good. Are you kidding? You go to Waldon! You are probably better than you think you are. Each student learns at their own rate. Whichever your level is, just strive to improve. That is the goal! Plus, Choir is not just about the individual; it’s about teamwork…Aka…working together to blend our sound. One of Mrs, Welling’s favorite mottos is “One choir, one sound”. We all must work together to get the best sound we can as a team!
I want to be cool and popular. You already are; you’re in choir! If you act like choir, music and performing is cool, and make it fun for yourself, it will be cool. Be confident and proud to be a member of our excellent choir program! You can still be friends with the students who aren’t in Choir.
I want to play sports. You can do both, all the way through 12th Grade. Concerts are always scheduled around sporting events. This is a non-issue.
(Parent/Guardian): I am letting my child decide. Dropping a music class is a life-altering decision that people often regret when they get older. Middle school children do not have the perspective that adults do. There are many benefits to participating in music classes. Music education does not exist to create professional musicians. It is about experiencing music, creativity, expression, building social relationships, group interdependence, and artistry – most of which are essential employ-ability skills in our global marketplace. See below for a more in-depth look into the art of vocal music.