The primary objective of this thesis is to provide guidance to music instructors who teach children in the areas of voice change and correct vocalization. In this thesis, proper training methods are introduced and wide ranging repertoires are suggest...
The primary objective of this thesis is to provide guidance to music instructors who teach children in the areas of voice change and correct vocalization. In this thesis, proper training methods are introduced and wide ranging repertoires are suggested.
Most of the members of a Children’s Choir are elementary school age children before their voices change, and middle schoolers who are going through the change.
At this age, the children must be able to produce beautiful choral harmony using correct vocalization and technique. In addition, they should be able to perform various repertoires.
First, the thesis explains principles of vocalization, right posture, and presents two different methods of breathing, costal and abdominal respiration, and provides training methods to improve these principles.
Next, I clarify the distinction between head voice and chest voice and clearly explain methods of correct diction with vowels and consonants. I also explain characteristics of the change of voice in childhood and its implications. In addition, I provide practice songs using: dynamics, tempo, phrasing, articulation, diction, etc.
Last, I divide existing children’s choirs’ regular performances from the past four years into local numbers and foreign numbers, and analyze them by percentage into: classical style songs, children’s songs, sacred songs, opera, animated film/ film music, choruses, musical numbers, folk songs, carols, etc.
Little training with minimal technique does not create good choruses. They can only be achieved through correct vocalization and the effective guidance of an experienced instructor..
When it comes to selecting repertoires, efforts should definitely be intensified and emphasis should not be placed on performance affects, amusement or showiness.
Chorus education in childhood is extremely crucial, but, in reality, there is a lack of professional instructors and a serious lack of various genres of repertoires, composers and choruses. Also other problems have surfaced resulting from individual choruses showing their own distinct character and following standardized formats in their performances.
Through this study, I believe that what is needed is the development of diverse repertoires, increased proper preparation of children’s choirs’ with each member progressing to bring about great improvement for the entire choir.