Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
Department of Music
MUS 223
Development of The Child Voice
Approved by Department: November 4, 2003
Course Description
The study of the nature of the child voice, its potential and development. Concentration on techniques
which are appropriate to the context of the elementary school: classroom, vocal ensemble, operettas and special
programs. Identification and help for the uncertain and atypical singer.
Two clock hours -- one semester hour
Course Objectives
1. To prepare the teacher to recognize and encourage good singing habits in the elementary classroom.
2. To prepare the teacher to recognize and deal with vocal dysfunctions and individual
variations.
3. To develop singing and listening skills necessary for good demonstration and discrimination.
4. To explore organizational procedures for singing experiences.
5. To learn techniques utilized in group singing situations.
6. To become acquainted with some of the song, choral, and operetta literature available for children.
Outline
A. The teacher as model
B. The physiology of vocal production
C. The growth and development of the child voice
1.
Nursery through primary grades
2.
Intermediate grades
3.
Grades five and six
a. The adolescent girl’s voice
b. The adolescent boy’s voice
4.
Individual variations
a. Influence of culture
b. Recognizing and dealing with vocal dysfunctions
c. The vocally limited
d. The gifted singer
D. The indefinite singer
1.
Reasons for indefinite, out-of-tune singing
2.
Remedial techniques
E. Techniques for teaching children to sing in group situations
1.
Posture
a. Relaxation
b. Standing
c. Sitting
d. Holding books
2.
Breathing
a. Using abdominal and intercostal muscles
b. Control, attack, and release
3.
Developing clear, free tone
a. Dealing with breathiness, nasality, and forcing
b. Open throat--lifting the soft palate
c. Relaxed jaw
4.
Diction
a. Correct use of tongue, lips and jaw
b. Forming vowels and consonants
5.
Developing range and flexibility
6.
Interpretation
a. Expressing mood through vocal timbres
b. Teaching phrasing
c. Dynamic limitations and control for children’s voices
F. Selecting literature and organizing for school singing experiences
1. Arranging the classroom for singing experiences
2. Writing harmonies and descants for changing and gifted voices
3. Program planning
4. The singing assembly
5. School choirs and special ensembles
6. Producing and directing children’s operettas
7. Creating musical plays with/for children
Procedures
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Lectures
Demonstration
Individual and group performance
Films, recordings, VCR tapes
Readings of research
Selected scores
Observation of children’s singing, K-6
Assessment
Assessment of each student’s level of accomplishment with reference to the course objectives will be based upon the
following:
1.
Basic knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the vocal mechanism with an emphasis on the child voice.
2.
Understanding the appropriate vocal ranges and tessituras of the child voice.
3.
Articulate and demonstrate appropriate methods of singing in classroom situations.
4.
Demonstrate ability to select appropriate literature for school singing experiences.
5.
Articulate and demonstrate techniques for proper body alignment and correct breath management.
6.
Understanding the characteristics of vocal development in the child and adolescent singer.
7.
Understanding the rationale for teaching children to sing.
8.
Demonstrate knowledge of proper use and care of both speaking and singing voices.
Instructional Resources
Appelman, D.R. The Science of Vocal Pedagogy. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1967.
Atterbury, B.W. Children’s singing voices: A review of selected research. Council for Research in Music
Education, 80, 51-63, 1984.
Bennett, P. A responsibility to young voices. Music Educators Journal, September, 1986.
Bennett, P.D. and Bartholomew, D.R. Song Works: Singing in the Education of Children. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth
Publishing Co., 1997.
Brand, M. Lullabies that awaken musicality in infants. Music Educators Journal, March, 1985.
Bunch, M. Dynamics of the Singing Voice. NY: Springer-Verlag, 1982.
Burgin, J.C. Teaching Singing. Metuchen NJ: Scarecrow Press, 1973.
Davidson, L., McKernon, P., and Gardner, H. the acquisition of song: A development approach. Documentary
Report of the Ann Arbor Symposium: National Symposium on the applications of Psychology to the
Teaching and Learning of Music. Reston VA: Music Educators National Conference, 1982.
Edwards, L.S. Valencia’s tooth--a first-grade operetta. Music Educators Journal, November, 1982.
Evans, K.W. Creative Singing in the Primary Classroom. London: Oxford University Press, 1971.
Franklin, E. Monotonism. Music Educators Journal, March, 1981.
Goetze, M. Wanted: children to sing and learn. Music Educators Journal, December, 1988.
Gould, A.O. Developing Specialized Programs for Singing in the Elementary Schools.
Washington DC: USOE#5-0241, 1968.
Gould, A.O. Finding and Learning to Use the Singing Voice. Washington DC: USOE #5-0241, 1972.
Hirano, M. Clinical Examination of the Voice. NY: Springer-Verlag, 1981.
Junda, M.E. Part Singing Revisited. Music Educators Journal, May, 1997.
Kirkpatrick, W. Relationships between the singing ability of prekindergarten children and their home environments.
(Doctoral Dissertation, Northwestern University, 1979). Dissertation Abstracts International, 40, 3177-A.
Large, J. (Ed.) Contributions of Voice Research to Singing. Houston: College Hill Press, 1980.
Lyon, J.T. Teaching all Students to Sing on Pitch. Music Educators Journal, September 1993.
Marshall, M. The Singer’s Manual of English Diction. New York: G. Schirmer, Inc.,1953.
McRae, Shirley W. Directing the Children’s Choir: A Comprehensive Resource. NY: Schirmer Books, 1991.
Miller, K.E. Vocal Music Education. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1988.
Nordholm H. Singing in the Elementary Schools. Englewood Cliffs NJ: Prentice Hall, Inc., 1966.
Nye, R., Nye, Y., Aubin, N. and Kyme, G. Singing with Children. Belmont CA: Wadsworth Publishing Co., Inc.,
1970.
Phillips, K.H. The effects of group breath-control training on the singing ability of elementary students. Journal
Research in Music Education, 33(3), 179-191, 1985.
Phillips, K.H. Training the child voice. Music Educators Journal, December, 1985.
Point of View. Should elementary choruses be select or nonselect? Music Educators Journal, November, 1985.
Punt, N.A. The Singer’s and Actor’s Throat. (3rd ed.) Great Britain: Redwood Burn, Ltd., 1979.
Rao, D. Chiildren’s Choirs: a Revolution from Within. Music Educators Journal, November, 1985.
Richardson, C.P. Measuring musical giftedness. Music Educators Journal, March, 1990.
Rowand, S.E. Intonation problems of the elementary singer: characteristics, causes and possible solutions. PA
Music Educators Bulletin, Fall, 1985.
Sins, N. Let the whole school sing! Music Educators Journal, January, 1990.
Smith, J.P. Selecting music for the elementary school chorus. Music Educators Journal, April, 1987.
Stoer, V.L. and Swank, H. Mending misused voices. Music Educators Journal. December, 1978.
Swanson, F. Changing voices: don’t leave out the boys. Music Educators Journal. January, 1984.
Webb, M.N. It’s a hit! Planning the elementary musical. Music Educators Journal. October, 1986.