Rawlings Project H.S.

≥Right Note/ Wrong Note≤

Anticipitory Set:

The Concert Choir will hear a CD of Benjamin Brittenπs Processional from the Ceremony of Carols.

Materials:

CD player

CDs w/ examples FINE INTONATION. (Children of the Golden Harp)

Auralia software program**≥Ear Training≤

Midi Keyboard and computer

Copies of Processional by Britten

CD of Wonderful Town (Wrong Note Rag) by Leonard Bernstein

Objective:

Students will improve PITCH ACCURACY. Members of the Concert Choir will work to improve their accuracy of pitch ---considering that sharping or flatting is actually singing the ≥WRONG NOTE≤. Focusing awareness on care of vocal production as it relates to pitch, and by utilizing a software program as reinforcement, the students will develop keener skills in terms of pitch.

Purpose:

Improved pitch will improve singing. As the student learns to listen critically to pitch, next sing critically with pitch in mind, the choral texture will benefit from improved intonation. This unit begins with single line chant; building to 8 part texture.

Procedure:

1. Teacher will use Aurelia software on the overhead projector going through each step in the ≥Ear Training≤ program. Choices will be made as a class to match pitches as a means of tutoring the use of the program.

2. The teacher will incorporate pitch ≥reminders≤ into warm-ups. By using small groups of 3 or 4 voices singing a pitch on ≥oo≤, The remaining students will close their eyes and point up, down, or level hand, as they listen and guide the group to unison. (Notice how removing vibrato allows for tuning.)

3. The class will rehearse the first two measures of Processional listening to the phrase. Singing on ≥oo≤. (No text yet.)

4. Divide group in half. Alternate ≥listeners≤ and ≥singers≤. Repeat. Continue to add small segments of the piece.

5. Tape-record each group. Listen to the results for evaluation and reflection.

6. Students are asked to use the Aurelia ≥Ear Training≤ program as a individual ≥test≤ (20 examples) prior to their next sectional.

7. Section leaders will create a database for individual scores. Choir members must report scores to section leaders. ãhonor system. (Microsoft Word) Vocal sectionsπ AVERAGES will be posted on the Concert Choir ≥Pipe line≤ announcement board.

Extensions:

Discuss pitch awareness outcomes at sectionals. Did the ear training heighten their pitch awareness? How did they do on the ≥quizzes≤? What do students think of using the computer as a critic?

Closure:

Compare the class recording of rehearsal of Processional prior to software tool and after. Student/teacher comments will reveal results.

Just For Fun***Play Wrong Note Rag (Bernstein) from Wonderful Town as students leave the classroom.