“Dynamic”  “Innovative”  “Stimulating”  “Enriching”

“Thank you for an exceptional week of thought provoking work!”
            - Choral Pedagogy Institute 2011 attendees 

Date: Week 2: July 2-6, 2012
Title: Choral Pedagogy Institute
Discipline: Choral Conducting
Teacher(s): James Jordan, Director; Constantina Tsolainou, Associate Director; Meade Andrews, Craig Denison, Lynnel Joy Jenkins, Mark Moliterno, Marilyn Shenenberger, Nova Thomas, Jason Vodicka
Fees:  $700 non-credit/$1200 with 2 graduate credits

Register Online

Westminster has been at the forefront of choral pedagogy in the United States and the world since the founding of the College by John Finley Williamson.  James Jordan of the Westminster faculty has carried on that leadership in choral pedagogical thinking, teaching and learning through his many books and recordings.  For the first time, using the model of the renowned Westminster Conducting Institute, conductors and teachers alike can attend a one-week institute to not only sharpen their rehearsal technique skills, but gain insight into the following areas of study.  Each day is organized into a series of intensive and focused classes, culminating in a rehearsal at the end of the day where participants experience the principles that faculty are teaching in the daily seminars.  Each participant will receive a music packet of 40 pieces for study and use.  Daily classes will cover the following areas:

• Philosophy of Group Vocal Technique and Proper Warm-Up Planning
• Aural Immersion Solfege for Use with All Choirs
• Practical Rehearsal techniques for Church and Amateur Choirs
• Building and Using Choral Resonance through Sound Vocal Pedagogy and Understanding
• Yoga and its use in the Choral Rehearsal
• Using Dalcroze in the Choral Rehearsal
• Working with Accompanists and Creative Use of the Accompanist to support good singing and teach listening
• Use of Critical Pedagogy as motivation and teaching in the Choral rehearsal
• Score Study Procedures
• Techniques for Working with Young Singers
• Enhancing Stage presence and Performance Skills:  How to Help your Choirs Connect with Audiences and Congregations
• Use of Conducting as Rehearsal Technique
• Using the Breath to Carry what is Taught in the Rehearsal to Support Honest and Compelling Singing
• Score Analysis Techniques

The Choral Pedagogy Institute brings together in one location for intensive study and experience, many of the most important and inspirational teachers in America in this unique and multifaceted seminar.  The Institute may be taken for credit or non-credit.  Persons opting for credit will be requested to complete a written project during the week.

Required texts: 

Jordan, James. The Choral Rehearsal. Chicago: GIA, 2007.
Jordan, James. Inward Bound. Chicago: GIA, 2007.
Jordan, James; Thomas, Nova; and Moliterno, Mark. The Musician’s Breath (book and DVD). Chicago: GIA, 2011.

Westminster Office of Continuing Education
609-924-7416