I have a degree in voice and choral music, but have trouble playing the piano...do you know of other choral ?

Question

high school teachers that are not able to play accompaniments? Usually I teach the voice parts then work on songs by singing a capella. Then I bring in an accompanist after the songs are solid. Anyone else ever hear of this way of teaching chorus?

Answer 1

I just retired after teaching choral and vocal music since 1971.  My husband also taught HS choral music for 34 years - and our son and DIL are also choral conductors.  I am not peeved AT YOU - but at whatever college let you out with a skill level, or lack thereof, that will make the rest of your life such a pain.  Of course you can record everything in mp3 files - heck, you can even SCAN them in! - and make CDs for rehearsal.  I actually pay for my OWN website (because the school one does not have nearly enough space for all my music files) and upload all the part recordings for each work, for honors choruses, vocal solos, and then permission slips, letters, etc.  NO EXCUSE that kid is missing anything.  I also upload the accompaniments - either me playing or a scan - so we can work with these in school (off the computer, or I burn everything so I can blast it thru the choral room audio) or the kids can sing THEIR part over the accompaniment, after they have learned off their track.  I survived the days of NO tech, cassettes, CDs, and THIS method is the best.  I also tell them to rip the tracks onto their mp3 players.

But - the bottom line is that their is NO substitute for you having the piano skills in your own hands - which I do.  3 of the 4 of us are really good pianists - 2 (not me) are of astounding performance level - I am a flutist with really good music ed piano skills (theory major, also).  DIL is like you - OK, but not a *pianist*.

Interviews were held recently for my vacated, and I do not know the results, but people without demonstrable piano skills necessary to hold a rehearsal from the piano were dismissed.  Over th years, I have learned the subs on the list who LACK decent skills, and were salivating over my job - they are not gonna get it.  They might get a sub shot - but not tenure.

For the concerts, we bring in pros to play - the director must conduct. Last couple of weeks, I bring in someone equal to me or more, to play. so I can focus on my kids.  By then, they know their stuff - as do your, I am sure.  But as incredibly wonderful as technology is, we teach an immediate ART - you should be able to read all the vocal accompaniments, choral accompaniments, and especially for Voice study - be able to transpose.  Take some serious functional piano in grad school - or get lesson with Old School Dogs like us - there are folks everywhere who have these skill, and would gladly share them.  

I wish you luck - clearly, this bothers you, or you would not have written.  *Your way* might work OK for you - but is something upon which you can improve. I wish I were near to you to assist!