A Jump Start on Fall

by Barbara Tappa, Eastern Liaison

Here we go again! In the next couple of weeks we will be back in our classrooms enjoying the rapt attention of our musically marvelous students. Well, we can hope for that. Anyway, I hope you were able to rejuvenate this summer and maybe even find the time to participate in the Washington ACDA Summer Institute. Those three days were loaded with excellent professional development opportunities not to mention the positive energy associated with great commaraderie. If you weren’t able to attend, or even if you were, and you are looking for something to to rev your engine for Fall, come to the Fall ACDA workshop in Spokane!

The Fall ACDA Workshop will take place on Saturday, September 11th, from 8:30 - 3:45 at Ferris High School in Spokane. We have lined up four wonderful clinicians: Marc Hafso will give us a fall tune-up on conducting; Kristina Ploeger will engage us with a session on jazz; Janice Newell will speak on “Singing and the Whole Child”; and, Darnell Preston will give us a lesson on practical vocal pedagogy. This workshop will provide excellent information applicable for all grade levels.

We will also be having some “Tried and True” reading sessions. We are asking you to bring 25 copies of three to five of your favorite pieces. We will read through them and create a list that you can take home and refer to in the future.

To make all of this even more enticing, it is free to ACDA members and a mere $35 to non-members. WMEA members will be able to receive 6.5 clock hours. So, what are you waiting for? Register now online. You can also register onsite on the day of the event. This will be a great way to “jump start” the year!

May 6, 2010

Never Underestimate the Power of Networking

by Barbara Tappa, Eastern Liaison

Every year we go on a choir tour. This year, I decided to do things a little differently by designing my own tour. I wanted the students to understand that music is an art to be shared and not a trophy to be won. We had been west to Seattle several times so I decided to go east:  Missoula, Montana. It has great music programs, it’s right off I-90, and we could stop at Silver Mountain Water Park on the way home!

I had met a colleague from Missoula at the Summer Institute last year. He graciously identified other directors in the area. When all the calls were made our tour was set. We went to the University of Montana for an enlightening clinic with the Director of Choirs and participated in exchange concerts with two high schools and a community choir.

It was a fantastic trip (and cost effective, too!). The students and I benefitted from performing, hearing different choirs and learning about other choral programs. And, who wouldn’t enjoy hiking up to the big “M” on the hillside and splashing in the water park? 

All of this became possible because I met a new colleague at the Summer Institute. So, I encourage you to come to the workshop this summer for great literature, new ideas and, of course, the opportunity to network with other choral directors. You just never know what may come of it!

January 22,2010
Show Choir? You bet!

by Barbara Tappa
Eastern Liaison                          

Yes! Show Choir is back! The success of the television program “Glee” is proof of it. My students are always talking about the latest episode and often embellish their discussions with impromptu parodies of musical numbers. What do I make of this? Simple – our students are excited about the prospect of singing and dancing!

I added Show Choir to my choral program two years ago and the students love it. We meet two mornings a week during zero hour and occasionally add an afternoon rehearsal as performances approach. I only use SAB music so we can learn the music quickly and move on to choreography. I can do a lot of things, but I know my limits… so, I hired a choreographer!  She is high-energy and fun-loving and keeps the kids moving and engaged the whole period.

The emphasis is on singing and dancing so, although costuming is important, we keep it simple. We start with a base layer of black and add accents appropriate to the pieces we are performing. 

As for programming, I like to do a musical theatre piece in the fall, a show medley in the winter, and a contemporary piece in spring.  Use live musicians whenever possible.  It takes the “cheese factor” out of the mix. You can get far more energy out of your performance by using just piano, bass and drums than you could with a fully orchestrated CD!

The kids on “Glee” can be handed a piece of music and perform it flawlessly the first time. Well, we’re not quite there yet. But, we sure have a lot of fun singing, dancing and, of course, hearing the applause! If you’re interested in starting a show choir I will be happy to share my ideas.

Contact Barbara Tappa

WA-ACDA welcomes Barbara Tappa as new liaison for Eastern Washington

Starting the Year
by Barbara Tappa, Eastern Liaison WA-ACDA

August, 2009

So school is starting and I am once again wondering what to do on the first day of school.  I am always torn between administrative details (music folders, course outline, uniforms, etc) and singing.  Although the admin stuff is important, the students have joined choir to sing, so sing they will!

Once the bell rings I will lead them in organized physical movement and then vocal warm-ups. From there I will teach about 16 measures of a song by rote. The choir will learn each section’s part. Then, the sections will take over their own parts and we will put it together. Harmony on the first day!

My goal is to have the students walk out of class singing and excited about the choral program.  If the students are excited about the program then they will tell their friends and the program will continue to grow.

Alas, on the next day I will need to tend to the administrative details but  I will do it quickly and then go back to what we do best: making music! 

I would love to hear what you do on the first day. Please contact me at:  barbarata@spokaneschools.org.  Have a wonderful year!