Re: Nice day in music
Posted by subgirl on 5/10/08
Sounds like you certainly know what you're doing and have fun doing it! I'm totally
ignorant about singing/music so I stay out of those jobs and hope a knowledgeable
person like you picks them up. Hope you can get more of those jobs.
Have a great mother's day! On 5/10/08, Jean wrote:
> Absolutely, subgirl. I loved listening to the kids perform
> their music and spoken parts for their musicals. The older
> kids disliked it that I kept on them to be quiet and to stay
> attentive during the rehearsal, but it's necessary. I told
> them that I know how boring it can be to sit quietly while
> other kids perform, because I sat through chorus and drama
> rehearsals in high school, but it's called "showing respect."
> I advised the kids to stand up tall, shoulders back, chin
> tucked, chest relaxed, to breathe from the diaphragm, focus
> the sound in between the eyes, think low when singing high and
> high when singing low, and to not raise the chin when reaching
> for a high note (but drop the jaw instead). I encouraged them
> to smile, to show some expression (other than boredom) while
> singing. I know that some kids took my advice to heart while
> others just felt irritated that they couldn't just goof off.
> I told the kids that the audience *will* notice if they don't
> know the words and if they are slouching while the other kids
> are standing up straight - that they need to rehearse the
> lyrics until they have them well memorized - and that they
> shouldn't feel afraid to open their mouths wide to sing.
> However, some kids opt to take elementary school chorus just
> to get out of having to take band or something else they don't
> want to take. Those kids have little interest in tips on how
> to sing better. They just want to slide by and get out with a
> passing grade. Still, I saw some kids who seemed to truly
> care, so I'm hoping I made a difference. And, like I said,
> some of the music was lovely, and a few of the soloists had
> very nice voices. I was glad to note that the teacher plans
> to use microphones for them, though, because some sang more
> softly than others did.
>
> The first-grade groups were so different! I loved watching
> them sing and make the motions. The biggest problem with them
> wasn't with encouraging them to sing and show enthusiasm (not
> at all!), but just to make sure they didn't wander around the
> room or play with buddies. They were so exhuberant about
> performing! It was a delight to see! Teens are certainly
> different - so concerned at that age about looking "cool" to
> their friends and not doing anything they feel might detract
> from that image. That's why being a teen is so difficult.
> Image feels like everything at that age. They're more aware
> of themselves and less comfortable about expressing
> themselves. Usually - obviously that doesn't describe all
> teens.
>
> I loved listening to the singing - yes. Since I'm a singer, I
> love hearing other children's voices. I was impressed at one
> (high-functioning) autistic boy's lovely voice in class
> yesterday. The teacher later told me that he's in a singing
> group.
>
> Singing is so important for kids. I wish all parents
> understood how important programs like singing, art, etc., are
> for kids. They help them to become more comfortable in their
> bodies, more comfortable in front of people, etc.
>
> And laughter? I remember the first time my kids laughed
> together. It was music to my ears. I find it very difficult
> to have a bad day in music, because just getting to sing - and
> hear the kids sing - starts everything off on a good note.
> -Jean
>
>
Posts on this thread, including this one
- Nice day in music, 5/09/08, by Jean.
- Re: Nice day in music, 5/09/08, by Ze Povinho.
- Re: Nice day in music, 5/10/08, by subgirl.
- Re: Nice day in music, 5/10/08, by Jean.
- Re: Nice day in music, 5/10/08, by subgirl.
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