REVIEWER: Betty Starobinsky

TITLE: Sight-Singing Scores of High School Choristers with Extensive Training

in Movable Solfege Syllables and Curwen Hand Signs
AUTHOR(S): McClung, Alan C.
LOCATION:
Journal of Research in Music Education, October 2008, Volume 56/No.3, pages
255-266

Since previous studies were limited to students who were minimally

trained in movable solfege and Curwen hand signs, this study will expand the
knowledge base using students with extensive training in movable solfege
syllables and Curwen hand signals.

Three school choral programs within Northern Texas were asked to

participate in this study. Using a simple random sample, 130 choristers from
three advanced mixed high school choirs were picked who had extensive training
in sight-singing skills and experience using moveable solfege syllables coupled
with Curwen hand signs. Two sight-singing examples were given with specific
levels of difficulty and using specific limitations.

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Test rooms were provided with a piano and a description of the two testing
procedures. Anonymous numbers were assigned to each participant. To avoid
sequences, examples were administered in a counterbalanced order. In a post
test informal interview, students were asked to share their thoughts. All tests and
interviews were administered using the same investigator. A recorder was used to
record the performances for further analysis and scoring.

Music literacy must be a primary goal within the music classroom.

Therefore, the author found a need for this study because former studies tested
the impact of Curwen hand signals on elementary aged children. when it came to
a study testing the impact of sign reading after using hand signals, the results
indicated that there were no significant differences between the test scores of
those that used Curwen hand signals, and those that did not.

This study focused on high school choristers, and used choristers who had
instrumental background, and those that did not. The study found that
choristers that had instrumental background benefited from the use of Curwen
hand signals, and those that had no instrumental background did not. A lot could
have explained why the students with instrumental background were able to

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benefit from Curwen hand signals, especially since they are used to multitasking
and can easily do both.

Although I teach a series of ages in my school, I do use Curwen hand

signals as early as Kindergarten. I think it is important for students to be exposed
to solfege symbols and Curwen hand signals. Even if students are not 100%
accurate when using their Curwen hand signals, I think its important visually,
auditory, and kinesthetically when it comes to accuracy in pitch. Although the
referenced research indicates that for first graders there has been no significant
differences in their posttest scores after using Curwen hand signals, I would not
want to eliminate this routine from my curriculum. I feel that this exposure in early
on, will allow the transition to be smoother in fourth and fifth grade. I like for the
students to think that solfege and Curwen hand signals are standard when sightreading and echoing, and would like them to feel natural.

This is an important study for me to reference when it comes to my band

ensemble. An important part of my teaching focuses on teaching students how to
look at new piece of music, and different ways they can practice. This includes
counting rhythms, speak-singing on letters, singing on note names, and Curwen

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hand signals. A variety of these practices are displayed on the wall to encourage
different ways to approach sight-reading and practicing. At first, my students used
to question why we sang so much in band class. Now, it has become a common
practice and they enjoy sight-singing it. Now, after reading this article, I am happy
that I insist on these crazy activities in my classroom.

I believe that high school choristers especially those that have an

instrumental background are more mature. They have also developed the ability
to respond to different instrumental methods in music literacy. The high school
students ability has been enhanced by their experience with instruments.

McClung, Alan C. (2008). Sight-Singing Scores of High School Choristers with

Extensive Training in Movable Solfege Syllables and Curwen Hand Signs. Journal of
Research in Music Education, 56 (3), 255-266.

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