January 22,2010
Show Choir? You bet!

by Barbara Tappa
Eastern Liason                          

Yes! Show Choir is back! The success of the television program “Glee” is proof of it. My students are always talking about the latest episode and often embellish their discussions with impromptu parodies of musical numbers. What do I make of this? Simple – our students are excited about the prospect of singing and dancing!

I added Show Choir to my choral program two years ago and the students love it. We meet two mornings a week during zero hour and occasionally add an afternoon rehearsal as performances approach. I only use SAB music so we can learn the music quickly and move on to choreography. I can do a lot of things, but I know my limits… so, I hired a choreographer!  She is high-energy and fun-loving and keeps the kids moving and engaged the whole period.

The emphasis is on singing and dancing so, although costuming is important, we keep it simple. We start with a base layer of black and add accents appropriate to the pieces we are performing. 

As for programming, I like to do a musical theatre piece in the fall, a show medley in the winter, and a contemporary piece in spring.  Use live musicians whenever possible.  It takes the “cheese factor” out of the mix. You can get far more energy out of your performance by using just piano, bass and drums than you could with a fully orchestrated CD!

The kids on “Glee” can be handed a piece of music and perform it flawlessly the first time. Well, we’re not quite there yet. But, we sure have a lot of fun singing, dancing and, of course, hearing the applause! If you’re interested in starting a show choir I will be happy to share my ideas.

Contact Barbara Tappa

WA-ACDA welcomes Barbara Tappa as new liaison for Eastern Washington

Starting the Year
by Barbara Tappa, Eastern Liaison WA-ACDA

August, 2009

So school is starting and I am once again wondering what to do on the first day of school.  I am always torn between administrative details (music folders, course outline, uniforms, etc) and singing.  Although the admin stuff is important, the students have joined choir to sing, so sing they will!

Once the bell rings I will lead them in organized physical movement and then vocal warm-ups. From there I will teach about 16 measures of a song by rote. The choir will learn each section’s part. Then, the sections will take over their own parts and we will put it together. Harmony on the first day!

My goal is to have the students walk out of class singing and excited about the choral program.  If the students are excited about the program then they will tell their friends and the program will continue to grow.

Alas, on the next day I will need to tend to the administrative details but  I will do it quickly and then go back to what we do best: making music! 

I would love to hear what you do on the first day. Please contact me at:  barbarata@spokaneschools.org.  Have a wonderful year!