InspireChoir Rehearsal, Harpool MS Men's Choirs "Where are the Wild Things NOW?"

"Where the Wild Things Are: Recruiting, Retaining, & Coaching the Middle School Men’s Choir Through Voice Change & Growing Pains!" February 12-15, 2014, Ashley Delaney, Harpool Middle School Directors often face a set of unique challenges when employing traditional teaching strategies for choral music as it applies to the middle school adolescent male voice. Due to the nature of the middle school men’s choir, directors can struggle to find balance in managing the classroom environment, monitoring voice change, recruiting & retaining men to the program while creating an environment of trust, learning, & musical sensitivity. Delaney will demonstrate how teaching the all-male choir can be approached in a manner that encourages a dedicated team & structured environment, while incorporating specific strategies to address the competitive & active nature of the adolescent male. A particular emphasis will be placed on pedagogical approaches addressing visual & kinesthetic learners.