Document 2027776

SESSION DESCRIPTIONS Sunday, July 10 6:00 An introduction to the fikamusik concept Faculty 6:30 Improving singing and conducting through body mapping: A focus on alignment Catherine Robbins This session provides a user-­‐friendly introduction to thinking about the body from a biomechanical perspective. How do we find balance in our stationary posture as choral singers and conductors? How do we help singers remain free of tension while encouraging energized tone? How do conductors find balance in the body that allows a full range of motion, and builds strength and endurance without sacrificing expressivity? We will explore how our joints and muscles interact, and look at the role of connective tissue (fascia), borrowing from science to enhance our art. 7:15 FIKA focus on musical life history overviews, revealing our common stories 8:00 Making your warm-­‐up count: Fresh thinking for choirs of all ages Catherine Robbins What can be accomplished during a warm-­‐up? How do you get the most out of your time? This session gives new ideas for ensuring that your warm-­‐ups address body, mind, spirit, and most of all, make a positive impact on the rehearsal to follow. Monday, July 11 9:00 Vocal Techniques: Addressing respiration and phonation: Ideas for application Catherine Robbins This session will present both foundational knowledge and ideas for creating exercises that speak to the “power source and vibrator” elements of vocal production. How do the concepts of inhalation and breath management aid in developing a warm, resonant, and free tone? The nature of onsets and releases, and relieving tension in the neck and larynx will also be addressed. 10:15 FIKA early music experiences, singing experiences, family, school, church 11:00 Score study and gesture through a vocal lens: Conducting with the voice in mind Catherine Robbins How do we analyze scores to ensure that vocal development is part of the rehearsal process? What gestures support this effort? This session offers concrete ideas to support the principles explored in the first session. A variety of repertoire will be used. Feel free to bring your own scores for ideas. 12:00 LUNCH BREAK 1:00 Vocal Techniques 2 A focus on resonance: Principles and ideas for practice Catherine Robbins Following the morning vocal techniques sessions, we turn our focus to resonance. What does resonance really mean? How is it created and understood in singing? How can we succinctly explain this to student singers? What techniques can be employed that create a vibrant tone? This session addresses these questions and sheds light on some of the old understandings and terms that still confuse singers and choral conductors alike (“head tone”). We will focus on “feeling” our sound, the role of sympathetic vibration related to the sinus cavities, and the influence of the muscles of the face on tone. 2:15 FIKA focus on K-­‐12 school music experiences Note: Sessions a and b run concurrently to offer choice to both Early Years and Senior Years educators 2:45 a. Developing the Changing/Changed Male Voice Mel Braun Well-­‐known voice teacher Mel Braun provides strategies for developing the male voice with a focus on aligning vowels, understanding breathing, and connecting to text. The goal will be to present concrete ideas that help young males discover their naturally expressive singing voice. A small display choir will be on hand so educators can get concrete ideas to apply to their own rehearsals. 2:45 b. Designing the Elementary School Singing Program Andrea Wicha Andrea will explore how to develop a school climate that allows every child to develop a passion for singing and excel in the choral classroom. Kindergarten begins with both group and individual activities aimed at discovering how to use their singing voice and match pitch, as well as laying the ground work for literacy. In Grade 1 each student receives individual singing lesson(s) and begins to explore high and low notes on the staff, with their voices and on instruments. By the end of Grade 6 they are able to independently read music, and sing with skill, passion and purpose. Their hard work and accomplishments give them confidence as they find ways to express themselves meaningfully both individually and as part of an ensemble. Many continue to sing as they journey to adulthood. 4:00 DINNER BREAK EARLY EVENING SESSIONS 5:30-­‐7:15 5:30 Special Session with unchanged voices workshop choir: See ideas put into action 6:30-­‐7:15 Optional participant debrief/discussion period Tuesday, July 12 9:00 Developing beautiful singing tone: A focus on vowels Mel Braun, Catherine Robbins An exploration of all things vowel! How are vowels formed with the tongue and articulators? How do they relate to each other? How do we choose the right “colour” for vowels in various contexts? How does vowel choice influence tuning, tone, timbre, and breath management? This session explores all these concepts in pursuit of developing exquisite tone in choral singing. Includes a brief introduction to IPA. 10:15 FIKA Post-­‐secondary music experiences 11:00 Techniques into practice: Practical application of vowel work to varied repertoire and gesture Mel Braun, Catherine Robbins This session focusing on choosing vowel colours for your particular repertoire, accompanied by ideas for gesture that aid in beautiful, natural, and unified vowel formation. Feel free to bring in your own scores. Includes IPA put into action and the impact of consonants on surrounding vowels. 12:00 LUNCH BREAK 1:00 English Diction: Conductor meets Vocal Coach Elroy Friesen and Laura Loewen How often do we struggle to get English “off the page” in a natural, unaffected manner? Understanding and embracing the ebb and flow of English is key! In this session, Elroy and Laura explore diction and teach participants how to make their text come alive, moving from characteristics inherent in English, to specific teaching of English-­‐isms. Participants will have a chance to sing and try out these ideas, and “must-­‐have” diction resources will be introduced. 2:00 FIKA career experiences 2:45 Techniques into practice: Practical application of diction principles to repertoire and gesture Ideas from Elroy and Laura applied to a variety of choral music along with ideas for gesture that communicate text in an exciting and genuine manner! 4:00 DINNER PROVIDED EARLY EVENING SESSIONS 5:30-­‐7:45 5:30-­‐7:00 Special Session with Senior Years workshop choir: See ideas put into action 7:00-­‐7:45 Optional debrief/discussion session Wednesday, July 13 MORNING SESSIONS 9:00 Expanding our thinking on rehearsal procedure: The synaptic approach to developing a great choir Catherine Robbins This session challenges choral music educators to think outside their regular comfort zone and critically reflect on rehearsal procedure. How do we move from concept to concept to create an overall understanding of a particular set of pieces in a short time, while addressing all the components of the choral art? How do we help singers to quickly understand both the macro and micro-­‐patterns present in pieces so that we are not trapped in a “note-­‐learning mode”? Looking at how our brains process information and create memory can inform rehearsal process. 10:00 FIKA influences on professional practice: connecting narratives to values, beliefs, assumptions 10:45 Ways of thinking about rehearsing: An exploration of rehearsal methods Catherine Robbins From John Rutter to James Jordan, we look at the many ways we can approach rehearsing choirs and remain attentive to the many learning styles of our singers. 12:00 LUNCH PROVIDED 1:00 Techniques into practice: Large and small group rehearsal with participants This final session gives participants a chance to work with each other in a large group rehearsal and conduct one another in small groups with input from faculty and one another. 2:00 FINAL FIKA Thinking to the future