BEAUTIFUL CHORAL TONE QUALITY REHEARSAL TECHNIQUES OF A SUCCESSFUL HIGH SCHOOL CHORAL DIRECTOR A Dissertation presented to the Faculty of the Graduate School University of Missouri-Columbia In Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy by BONNIE L. JENKINS Dr. Wendy Sims, Dissertation Supervisor DECEMBER 2005 © Copyright by Bonnie L. Jenkins 2005 All Rights Reserved APPROVAL PAGE The undersigned, appointed by the Dean of the Graduate School, have examined the dissertation entitled BEAUTIFUL CHORAL TONE QUALITY: REHEARSAL TECHNIQUES OF A SUCCESSFUL HIGH SCHOOL CHORAL DIRECTOR Presented by Bonnie L. Jenkins A candidate for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy And hereby certify that in their opinion it is worthy of acceptance. Dedication This project is dedicated to my loving mother, Charlotte L. Mitchell She passed away one year ago and had so wanted to see me reach this goal. My mother not only supported and encouraged me but she inspired me to work hard to see my goals fulfilled. Acknowledgements The author wishes to express deep appreciation to the following individuals: • To Dr. Wendy Sims for her support, encouragement, expert teaching, and guidance of my program and project. • To Dr. Martin Bergee, Prof. Anne Harrell, and Dr. Jay Scribner for their additional support, encouragement, and excellent teaching. • To my husband, Doug, who has not only encouraged and supported but has sacrificed and helped care for the family through this entire process. • To my two beautiful children, Deja and Mitchell, who have loved, supported, and also sacrificed to help me fulfill this goal. • To my father, Leon Mitchell, the rest of my family, and friends who have given love, encouragement, and support. • To Matt (pseudonym), the participant, who graciously allowed me to observe, interview, and listen. Without his great attitude and willing spirit this study would not have been possible. ii Table of Contents Acknowledgements............................................................................................................. ii Abstract............................................................................................................................. vii CHAPTER 1 ....................................................................................................................... 1 Introduction, Purpose, and Definition............................................................................. 1 Introduction and Purpose ............................................................................................ 1 Statement of Purpose .................................................................................................. 1 Definition and Historical Overview............................................................................ 2 Tone Quality ........................................................................................................... 2 Beautiful Tone Quality ........................................................................................... 3 Beautiful “Choral” Tone Quality............................................................................ 6 Participant’s Definition of Beautiful “Choral” Tone Quality................................. 7 Limitations .................................................................................................................. 9 Conclusion ................................................................................................................ 11 CHAPTER 2 ..................................................................................................................... 12 Literature Review ......................................................................................................... 12 Vocal Technique: Views and Findings of Contemporary Vocal Pedagogues.......... 12 Posture and Breath Control...…………………………………………………….13 Tone Quality: Placement, Resonance, and Color ................................................. 17 Tone Quality: The Ideal........................................................................................ 23 Vowels .................................................................................................................. 25 Vocal Freedom...................................................................................................... 29 The Great Debate: A Soloistic or Blended Approach to Choral Tone Quality?... 34 iii Philosophy................................................................................................................. 46 Teaching Method ...................................................................................................... 49 Positive Learning Environment ............................................................................ 51 Leadership Skills................................................................................................... 52 Personality............................................................................................................. 53 Communicating: Teaching Strategies................................................................... 54 Communicating: Modeling--Nonverbal and Verbal............................................. 56 CHAPTER 3 ..................................................................................................................... 60 Method and Procedure.................................................................................................. 60 Purpose of the Study ................................................................................................. 60 Method and Procedure .............................................................................................. 62 Type of Study............................................................................................................ 67 CHAPTER 4 ..................................................................................................................... 70 Developing Vocal Technique: Results and Discussion ................................................ 70 Introduction of Vocal Technique: The First Two Weeks of School......................... 70 Time Line– 9th Grade Choir (First Two Weeks of School) .................................. 72 Vocal Technique ....................................................................................................... 75 Posture and Breath Control................................................................................... 76 Results............................................................................................................... 76 Discussion......................................................................................................... 80 Tone Quality--Placement, Resonance, and Color.................................................. 85 Results............................................................................................................... 86 Discussion......................................................................................................... 94 iv Tone Quality-The Ideal.......................................................................................... 98 Results............................................................................................................... 99 Discussion....................................................................................................... 101 Vowels ................................................................................................................ 102 Results............................................................................................................ 103 Discussion...................................................................................................... 108 Vocal Freedom.................................................................................................... 113 Results............................................................................................................ 114 Discussion...................................................................................................... 119 The Great Debate: A Soloistic or Blended Approach To Choral Tone .............. 123 Quality? Results............................................................................................................. 125 Discussion....................................................................................................... 126 CHAPTER 5 ................................................................................................................... 131 Philosophy and Teaching Method: Results and Discussion ....................................... 131 Philosophy............................................................................................................... 131 Positive................................................................................................................ 132 Results................................................................................................................. 132 Discussion........................................................................................................... 138 “Life Lessons:” Inspiration of James Jordan and Others..................................... 141 Results............................................................................................................. 141 Discussion....................................................................................................... 145 v Purposeful