Choir Resources

Sample Choir Handbook

Below is a link to the choir handbook I used while teaching at McLaughlin Middle School and Fine Arts Academy in Lake Wales, FL.

McLaughlin Middle Sample Choir Handbook by Seth Pendergast

Sight-Reading Resources

There are two sources for sight-reading materials that I am a personal advocate for. These resources have worked well in my classes and I feel they transfer well to sight-reading choral literature.

The first is Progressive Sighting Singing (2nd ed.) by Dr. Carol Krueger.

This is a sight-singing method appropriate for middle school through college. The sequence is natural and the examples are numerous. Dr. Krueger has a very effective method for sight-singing that is communicated well in her book but I would also encourage participating in a summer workshop to understand the method more thoroughly. More information on Progressive Sight-Singing can be found at the link below:

Progressive Sight-Singing by Dr. Carol Krueger

The second is a website entitled the Sight-Reading Project by Kevin Albright.

Not only does this sight include a high number of examples at all levels, but Kevin has also developed a sight-reading visual tool that encourages singers to progress through the exercise without slowing their tempo or pausing for mistakes. See the link below and enjoy!

The Sight-Reading Project by Kevin Albright

 

Secondary General Music Resources

Free DAW – SoundTrap

There are a few variations on Digital Audio Workstations that operate within your internet browser window. The quality between them is varied. Personally, I have found SoundTrap to be the best FREE “in-browser” DAW. It is simple to use and has enough free content to starting making music right away. If you are a teacher interested in starting your class on some personal compositions using technology but don’t necessarily have access to much technology, take them to the schools computer lab and start them on SoundTrap.

SoundTrap

Ukulele Instructional Videos

Recently I created teaching videos for my students in General Music Methods. They used the videos to learn the Ukulele on their own and then participated in a variety of class activities utilizing what they learned. Feel free to learn along with us!

PS – There is one caveat. The first two videos use a Ukulele with a different tuning. This was a result of the Ukuleles we happened to have on hand. So, forgive the odd tuning but videos three and four return to normal.