Choral Techniques By: Gordon Lamb Choral Techniques By: Gordon Lamb Online: < http://cnx.org/content/col11191/1.1/ > CONNEXIONS Rice University, Houston, Texas This selection and arrangement of content as a collection is copyrighted by Gordon Lamb. It is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/). Collection structure revised: March 8, 2010 PDF generated: October 29, 2012 For copyright and attribution information for the modules contained in this collection, see p. 388. Table of Contents 1 Introduction 1.1 Choral Techniques Foreward . 1 2 Conducting Techniques 2.1 Conducting Posture and Use of a Baton . .. 3 2.2 Use of a Baton . 4 2.3 Holding the Baton . 4 2.4 The Preparatory Beat . 6 2.5 Starting on the First Beat . 6 2.6 Starting on the Last Beat . 17 2.7 Starting on Other Beats . 20 2.8 Starting on Fractions of Beats . 21 2.9 The Release . 54 2.10 The Conducting Beat Patterns . 55 2.11 Conducting Asymmetrical Beat Patterns . 63 2.12 Practicing the Patterns . 64 2.13 Conducting Fast Tempos . 65 2.14 Conducting Divided Beat Patterns . 66 2.15 Unmetered or Free Rhythms . 72 2.16 Mixed Meters and Other Conducting Problems . 74 2.17 The Fermata . 115 2.18 Use Of The Left Hand In Conducting . 116 2.19 Tempo Determination . 119 2.20 Change of Tempo . 121 2.21 Establishing the Mood . .. 123 2.22 Expressive Conducting . 123 2.23 Performance Conducting . .. 123 3 Score Study 3.1 Melodic Considerations . .. 125 3.2 Harmonic Considerations . 125 3.3 Rhythmic Considerations . 126 3.4 Part Examination . .. 127 3.5 Text Considerations . 127 3.6 Texture of the Choral Piece . .. 128 3.7 Applied Score Study . .. 128 3.8 Rehearsal Analysis of Indeterminate Music . 136 4 Interpreting Choral Music 4.1 Interpreting Choral Music . .. 141 4.2 The Renassiance Period (1400-1600) . .. 143 iv 4.3 The Baroque Period (1600-1750) . 147 4.4 The Classic Period (1750-1820) . 151 4.5 The Romantic Period (1820-1900) . 153 4.6 The Twentieth Century And Early Twenty-First Century . 155 5 Choral Diction: English and Latin 5.1 Choral Diction-English and Latin . 161 5.2 English . .. 162 5.3 Formation of Vowels . 167 5.4 A Relaxed Jaw . 168 5.5 A Relaxed Tongue . .. 168 5.6 Proper Space in the Mouth . 169 5.7 Vowel Modification and Range Considerations . 171 5.8 Darkening Vowels . .. 171 5.9 Consonants . 173 5.10 Marcato and Legato Diction . .. 173 5.11 Special Diction Problems . 179 5.12 Prefixes . 180 5.13 Word Seperation and Text Flow . .. 181 5.14 Liturgical Pronunciation . 188 6 Choral Tone 6.1 Choral Tone . 193 6.2 Abdominal, Diaphragmatic, or Intercostal Breathing . 195 6.3 Fundamentals of Voice . .. 197 6.4 Resonation . 197 6.5 The Choral Tone . 198 6.6 The Vibrato and Choral Singing . 199 6.7 Warm-Ups and Warm-up as a Tune-up . 200 6.8 Growth in the Choral Tone . 208 7 Selection and Placement of Voices 7.1 Selection and Placement of Voices . 213 7.2 Personal Data Card for Auditions . 214 7.3 The Audition for A Select Ensemble . ..