Why Singing New Music in a School Chorus is Great
Before we start, just to be clear, a school chorus can be high school age students in a public, private or homeschool group. This article even applies to community choruses as well.
Music has the remarkable ability to touch our hearts, uplift our spirits, and bring people together. In the context of a high school chorus, the experience of singing new music goes beyond mere entertainment; it can foster growth, creativity, and a sense of community among students. As we explore the benefits of singing new music in a high school chorus, we'll discover how this practice not only enriches musical abilities but also nurtures personal development.
Promotes Musical Versatility - Introducing new music to a high school chorus repertoire exposes students to a variety of musical genres, styles, and eras. While traditional pieces hold their charm, incorporating contemporary and unfamiliar songs challenges students to adapt to different rhythms, melodies, and vocal techniques. This process cultivates musical versatility, enabling students to confidently explore a broader range of musical expressions. As students navigate diverse compositions, they enhance their ability to interpret and perform a wide spectrum of music—a skill that will serve them well in future musical endeavors.
Some new compositions may include odd harmonies, whether incredibly close or having the sound of a Gregorian chant. They may have complex meters or constantly changing meters. They may have different languages all in the same song. No one singing such new music can ever complain about being bored.
Fosters Creativity and Expression - When high school chorus students engage with such varieties in new compositions, they're exposed to fresh ideas that inspire creativity and encourage self-expression. Singing new music allows students to connect with the emotions and stories conveyed by contemporary composers, enabling them to infuse their performances with genuine feeling and passion. This fosters a deeper connection to the music and helps students develop their unique vocal and interpretive styles.
Even the music itself, without the lyrics, can portray a wide variety of emotions. Music has been called the international language because of the way that it often needs no words to make its point.
A wonderful experience for members of a choral ensemble is to be able to have the composer come to explain the origin and meaning of the song, perhaps sharing some secrets about it. He or she may also be able to do the first rehearsals so that any nuances that were difficult to write out can be done correctly.
Helps Develop Listening and Analysis Skills - Analyzing and performing new music requires high school chorus students to engage in critical listening. They must discern intricate melodies, harmonies, and rhythms, enhancing their ability to dissect and understand complex musical arrangements. As students decipher the nuances of new compositions, they develop a more refined musical ear, enabling them to appreciate and analyze music at a deeper level. This skill not only contributes to their growth as musicians but also enriches their overall musical experience.
This listening process also provides for an opening to learn some music theory about forms, meters, chords and other unfamiliar components of the music.
Builds Flexibility - Singing new music presents challenges that can build resilience and adaptability in high school chorus students. Learning unfamiliar melodies or intricate vocal parts demands patience, persistence, and a willingness to embrace the unknown. Overcoming these challenges instills a sense of accomplishment and boosts students' confidence in their musical abilities. As they navigate the process of mastering new pieces, they develop important life skills that extend beyond the realm of music, preparing them to tackle challenges with resilience and adaptability.
Many students, and people in general, desire immediate gratification. They want to be able to do or have what they want right away. Learning new music is a great lesson in patience and delayed satisfaction. They can also learn about the construction process that music demands as each part is carefully added to the one before.
Strengthens Teamwork and Cooperation - A high school chorus is not just a collection of individual voices; it's a collaborative ensemble that requires teamwork and cohesion. Singing new music provides an opportunity for students to work closely together as they learn, practice, and perfect intricate vocal harmonies and arrangements. Collaborating on new pieces fosters a sense of unity among chorus members, teaching them the value of listening, blending their voices, and supporting one another. These lessons in teamwork and collaboration extend beyond the rehearsal room, benefiting students in their academic and personal lives.
It also allows the section leaders to demonstrate their leadership skills. They may need to do a bit of homework on their own so that they can effectively lead their section when singing the new music. For some pointers on how to best choose section leaders for your choral ensemble, read the SCC article entitled How to Select Section leaders for Your Choral Group.
Can Add to Expressions of Faith - For students with a Christian worldview, singing new music can hold a special significance. It's an opportunity to connect their faith and values with their musical experiences. Many contemporary compositions address themes of hope, love, compassion, and the human spirit—themes that align with Christian teachings. Through these compositions, high school chorus students can express their beliefs, share messages of inspiration, and engage with music that resonates with their faith.
There is a saying, “The devil isn’t always wrong”, meaning that truth is truth. Often, the devil misuses the truth for his own purposes, but many songwriters will present the truth undisguised and pure. The song by James Taylor called Shower the People is one good example. You can see the Salt Cellar arrangement of the song HERE. Showing appropriate love is a Biblical command, whether Christian or Jew.
Nurtures a Lifelong Love of Music - Exposing high school chorus students to new music helps cultivate a lifelong appreciation for the art form. By regularly introducing them to fresh and engaging compositions, educators can instill a curiosity and passion for music that extends well beyond their school years. This love for music can lead students to continue exploring and participating in musical activities, whether as part of a choir, a community ensemble, or even as individual performers.
Sometimes this love for music doesn’t even need to be as part of an organized group due to a true lack of opportunity or time. But, anyone who has belonged to a music ensemble, whether Chorus, Band or Orchestra, will listen to music with much more understanding and feeling.
IT’S FUN! - Singing is fun, and for those who put the extra effort into singing new music in a Choral Group have even more fun. Beyond the simple joy of singing in a group, where the Gestalt is strong, lie the concert experiences, and possibilities of singing in places other than the usual – for grand openings and other public events.
In conclusion, there are a number of great reasons for singing new music in a high school chorus are vast and multifaceted. From cultivating musical versatility and fostering creativity to building resilience and promoting teamwork, the experience of engaging with contemporary compositions enriches students' lives in numerous ways. The opportunity students to connect their faith with their musical journey adds an extra layer of meaning to the experience. As educators continue to prioritize the inclusion of new music in high school chorus curricula, they nurture not only musical talent but also personal growth, creativity, and a lifelong love for the transformative power of music.
Salt Cellar Creations understands the beauty and power that a Choral Group can convey and has a growing library of original works and arrangements for choral groups of varying skill levels. Find out more about what Salt Cellar Creations has to offer for Choral Groups HERE. Explore the available music HERE.
SCC can also compose an original piece for you or do a custom arrangement for you. There are two ways that this can be done; one is much more affordable than the other. And SCC is always looking for ideas of pieces to arrange or suggestions for original pieces.
We have sold music not only in the US but in Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Australia, New Zealand and Austria. Please visit the WEBSITE or CONTACT US to let us know what we can do for you!