Music 158 Observation Form

Site: Stilwell Middle School Choir: 8th Grade Treble Choir Conductor: Kathy Gedler Date: 3/1/11 Time: 8:30-

I. Rehearsal Facilities A. Describe how the space was setup for rehearsals. They used 4 rows of chairs on a choral room, stadium-esque raised floor. B. Graph on the backside how the choir was seated. C. Graph where the piano was placed and discuss how often was it used or not? It was used once in a while, though not usually for the purpose of finding pitches, more for accompaniment and sometimes to give a helping hand here and there for the singers. D. Was an accompanist present or did the conductor teach from the piano? Mrs. Gedler had recorded things before hand so she wouldnt have to stand behind it, but she did do some teaching from the piano. II. Rehearsal Procedures/Rehearsal Goals A. List all octavos used during rehearsal. Include title, composer/arranger, voicing, accompaniment requirements, specials[soli?] 1. Simple Gifts arranged by John Coates Jr.; SA; piano; solo or small group 2. 100 Years; re-worked by Gedler, written by John Ondrasik and arranged by Ryan James 2 part (Treble/bass); piano; no solo 3. Reel a Bouche; arranged by Malcom Dalglish; SSA; no piano; no solo B. Was the text appropriate for the ensemble? Why? Yes, the first is a choral standard, the second is a fun pop number that they combine with the other choirs (keep interest) and the third is a French-Canadian folksong. C. Was the tessitura appropriate for the ensemble? Why? Yes, Simple, the range was a B3 to D5. 100 years had a lower tessitura staying around G4 and C4. Reel a Bouche had the largest tessitura with A3 to F#5. D. Were there any vocal/physical warm-ups? What was their purpose? Yes, she first did some stretching with the group and then did step touch with rhythm sounds, then step touch with solfege interval ear training and then echo solfege to the mystery tune (Happy Birthday). They also did a sight reading exercise and round.

E. Were there any solfege techniques used? Yes, used to help establish pitches, learn pitches and literacy. She did echoing and sight-reading and independent learning with it. Also used in the warm-up. F. Was there an introduction to a new piece and how? There was some sight reading of new sections but no actual introductions. However, Gedler had the Treble Choir sight read Simple Gifts all together on solfege and used visual cues and descriptors to describe so that they would produce the sounds she wanted even while sight reading. G. Was the major emphasis polishing or learning any pieces? The majority of the time was spent learning the new section as mentioned above in Simple Gifts, but then she also worked on polishing 100 years (on words) and Reel a Bouche (on solfege). H. Other observations? Some of these girls are really bright. I loved some of the things that Mrs. Gedler had to say to help get them doing the things she wanted them to do, such as: Slides only for solos puff of air on consonants power altos etc. She also started the whole rehearsal with written theory stuff, which was perfect - not too much, but just enough to be applicable and get them ahead. The only thing I wasnt too keen on was during her rehearsal of Reel a Bouche where she told the students to not use solfege on chromatic sections - they ended up kinda not singing at all. III. Rapport between Conductor & Singers A. Classroom Management Plan? If theres talking she just tells them to not and they usually perk right up (benefit of having only 1 gender in a room). B. Positive or Negative Energy in the Rehearsal? Positive C. Fast paced or relaxed rehearsal? Pretty fast paced - they have limited time and gaps in time = talking and thats a no go. IV. Singer Response to Directions A. Did singers respond quickly to conductor direction? Apparently they were having a couple of difficulties that they normally didnt but they seemed fantastic to me. B. Did singers need additional direction to accomplish tasks? Sometimes, but usually not. V. Overall thoughts about this rehearsal I thought it was a good rehearsal and I really and truly enjoy watching Mrs. Gedler. She has such a fun and awesome energy about her and she teaches some great music in great ways.