Choir Ninja, with Ryan Guth

Latest Episodes:

4 steps to create a happy and healthy community in your choir, with Spencer Jones Mar 06, 2017

Show notes

Having a healthy choir starts with you, the director. Be sure that you’re proactive in creating a culture of love and openness in your choir each and every day. Here’s what you need to think about today! Click to download episode! Show Notes:

Do things together
- Do things as a group! Anything from a basic outing (no singing), lunch/dinner, retreats, camps, festivals, competitions.
Change your Language
- Change how you say things to your class. Instead of “I” say “we”. Also by nature we are quite negative, change it up. Don’t just focus on what needs improvement, let them know what they did well. Don’t flower it, just be HONEST!
Have discussions
- Foster communication in your group through discussions. Discuss what was good, bad, needs improvements, etc. Many directors do this with little response from the class but be open to trying it. Also ask the class for suggestion on activities, and how a piece should be performed.
Take care of yourself
- Let the choir know you’re human. As much as many of want to come off as perfect (students have the same feelings) let them know that you make mistakes. For example, when you get sick, stay home and don’t spread it to your group. Let your kids know that it’s ok if you’re having an off day, but you’re going to bring it the next day (and expect them to) Getting enough sleep, having a solid morning routine, finding me time, are all parts of this point.

3 Key Takeaways:

It’s not about you, it’s about us. Make sure your language reflects that sentiment.
Include your choir in the discussion.
You should always lead by example as a happy and healthy leader, so take care of yourself.

Sponsored by: Sight Reading Factory (Use promo code “NINJA” at checkout for 10 free student accounts!)

5 tips to stay sane during festival season, with Spencer Jones Feb 20, 2017

Show notes

Learn some hacks that will result in increased mental clarity and better musical work with Spencer Jones, choral director and founder of of Jonesin’ to Get Fit. Click to download episode! Show Notes:

Schedule it
1. Lay it out in front of you on tools like a day planner or Google Calendar.
2. Year-at-a-glance calendars are perfect for zooming out and seeing what’s coming up.
3. Make a daily to-do list as a way to get everything out of your head. Feels great to cross it off!
Prep - Did you adequately prepare yourself and your group for the event? Sometimes we just can’t be as prepared as we’d like, but you get as close as you can through…
1. Looking over your calendar to see what’s coming up and making sure everything is in place. Just like a good sight-reader looks a measure or two ahead, so do you.
2. Adequate score study
3. Prepping non-musical things (Give away the menial tasks through delegation.)
Delegate-
1. GIve away things that don’t need you, such as...
  1. programs
  2. taking attendance
  3. uniform organization
  4. social media
  5. team activities
Breathe (Find me time) - We get so wrapped up in the anticipation of the event that we can get a little (or a lot) crazy. Take a step back, know that you’re doing what you can, and breathe. It could be as simple as 3 minutes to clear your mind or as much as a weekend of not thinking and worrying about it.
Enjoy the Performance - You did as much as you could in the time you had. Now stop fretting over it and enjoy it. As Constantin Stanislavski said “The rehearsal is the work, the performance is the relaxation.”

3 Key Takeaways:

Sometimes our frustration with our choir comes from our own lack of preparation.
GIve away menial tasks, like taking attendance, to students.
You’ve worked hard! Take time to enjoy the performance.

Resources/links Mentioned:

The Honest Guys - Meditations on YouTube

Sponsored by: Sight Reading Factory (Use promo code “NINJA” at checkout for 10 free student accounts!)

How to teach a piece using sequential layering, with Denise Eaton Feb 17, 2017

Show notes

In today’s episode I invite Denise Eaton back for a look at her layering method of sequential teaching. In other words, this is a breakdown of her step-by-step process for teaching a new choral piece to her choirs. Listen: Click to download episode! Highlight to Tweet: “Repetition is your friend and the key to successful learning.” -Denise Eaton #choirninja Show Notes: Eaton's Order of Events for Layering Skills in Sequential Teaching

Teach rhythms before looking at song (including all like patterns throughout)
1. Extract and breakdown rhythms for better understanding and skill development
2. Learning rhythm doesn't only include chanting· singing is also encouraged
3. Include emphasis on strong beats -always keep the text in mind
Add solfege -always with appropriate, desired tone
1. Introduce the key of the song through previous sight-reading (See resources and sponsor below)
2. Extract only the melodic contour in solfege (before looking at song) for greater mastery later
3. Chant solfege in rhythm -add emphasis on strong beats
4. Chant text in rhythm to reinforce understanding
5. Add syllabic and word stress emphasizing desired vowels
Sing on solfege -with desired vowels and tone
1. Focus on accuracy
2. Add in syllabic/ word stress
Sing on neutral syllable -with desired vowels and tone
1. Focus on accuracy
2. Add in syllabic/word stress
3. Add in final consonants for rhythmic releases and onset of sound
Monotone chant and sing the text -with desired vowels and tone
1. If singing in parts, separate to different notes of the tonic chord
2. Add in syllabic/ word stress
3. Repetition of the release of final consonants will, most likely, be needed
Sing on text -emphasizing desired vowels and tone
1. Focus on pitch accuracy
2. Add in syllabic / word stress
3. Explore combinations of voice parts
  1. sop 1 / alto
  2. Sop 1/Sop 2
  3. Alto/Tenor
  4. Sop/Bass
  5. Sop/Tenor
  6. Women
  7. Men

3 Key Takeaways:

Score study is absolutely necessary for you to identify items, such as rhythms, to isolate in the earlier steps.
Repetition is your friend and the key to successful learning.
Always emphasize and insist on desired tone, and vowels.

Resources/links Mentioned:

Denise’s books:
Sight Singing Made Accessible Readable Teachable,
Sight Singing Made Accessible Readable Teachable (MINOR)

Sponsored by: Sight Reading Factory (Use promo code “NINJA” at checkout for 10 free student accounts!)

Choosing repertoire the smart way, with Denise Eaton Feb 13, 2017

Show notes

In today’s episode (Part 1) you will find out what Texas music educator and superstar, Denise Eaton, looks at when choosing repertoire for her choirs so they can be successful at learning through her innovative sequential layering method of teaching (coming up on part 2 - Friday). This episode is sponsored by Sight Reading Factory (Use promo code “NINJA” at checkout for 10 free student accounts!) Listen: Click to download episode! Highlight to Tweet: “You need to make a noise before you can refine the noise” -Denise Eaton #choirninja Show Notes:

Get ‘em in the room and get ‘em singing immediately
- “You need to make a noise before you can refine the noise”
No harm singing and sight-singing in unison
- It elevates the weaker singing
- Can be VERY artistic
When choosing music, be conscious of…
- Tonality
- Rhythmic development
- Harmonic rhythm
- Vocal development
  - Range
  - Tessitura
  - Depth of sound
- Language
Use sequential layering (next episode) to teach the music.
- Sequence matters because of muscle memory

3 Key Takeaways:

Score study is imperative for sequential growth for choir.
Elevate their strengths and not their weaknesses.
You are limited to your own creativity. Don’t let your limitations limit your students.

Resources/links Mentioned:

Sponsored by: Sight Reading Factory (Use promo code “NINJA” at checkout for 10 free student accounts!)

The 3 R’s of Sight-Singing, with Jon Duncan and Chris Munce Feb 10, 2017

Show notes

In this episode you will learn the RESOURCES, RATIONALE, and ROUTINE of two amazing members of Choir Nation who have choirs that love to sight-sing and do it well! Join Chris Munce and Jon Duncan as they explain the whole process. This episode is sponsored by Sight Reading Factory (use promo code "NINJA" at checkout for 10 free student accounts). Listen: Click to download episode! Highlight to Tweet: “You don’t have time to NOT sight-read every day.” -@ChrisMunce Show Notes:

Resources
- Sight Reading Factory
  - Projected on screen, smart board, or smart wall
- Patti DeWitt
  - Printable PDF sight singing examples
    - Very easy at the start and progresses to quite difficult
    - Unison, 2pt, 3pt, 4pt, SATB, SSA, TTBB
- Octavos
- Warm-ups
  - Section leaders instruct
  - Circles
  - “Let them tell you what they did wrong.”
Rationale
- “You don’t have time to NOT sight-read every day.”
Routine
- Every day
  - Beginning of class
  - After warm-ups
  - On solfege
  - With hand signs
  - Give DO
  - Sing tonic triad and tuning exercises (d,m,s,f,r,t,d,s,d)
  - Sing first pitch
  - Audiate the example together using hand signs
  - Sing first pitch again
  - Sing through with snapping metronome on solfege with hand signs
  - Have student correct errors
  - Run again
- Test every child individually
  - 3 score choices
    - 50/50 = 2 (Best Score: totally independent sight-singing)
    - 30-49 = 1 (Needs teacher assistance)
    - 0-29 = 0 (Cannot replicate exercise at all)
- One concert per year, sing in front of the audience

3 Key Takeaways:

Sight-sing 5-10 minutes every rehearsal and build skills over time.
Use tools like Sight Reading Factory to save time.
Test every student individually using a simple scoring system.

Resources/links Mentioned:

Sponsored by: Sight Reading Factory (Use promo code “NINJA” at checkout for 10 free student accounts!)

New Podcast = Great for you Feb 09, 2017

Show notes

After almost 2 years and 130 episodes, the Find Your Forte podcast will become the Choir Ninja podcast. The new podcast will focus on giving Choir Nation actionable takeaways from EVERY episode that can be used to improve your middle or high school choral program. Listen: Highlight to Tweet: CHOIR NEWS! Find Your Forte podcast w/ @ryanmguth will now be Choir Ninja podcast Show Notes: Why?

If downloads are a measure of value, the most valuable episodes have been Technique Tuesday or Find Your Forte interviews with conductors who “spill the beans”. We need more of that.
Choir Ninja aims to be a solutions-oriented podcast, just like it’s host.
Predictability encourages habit which makes for more successful choral directors.
FOMO (Fear of missing out)
A stronger Choir Nation

What’s changing?

The title and the branding
Narrowing the focus
- No more profile interviews
- More interviews with in-the-trenches choral directors who can relate to Choir Nation
- Always actionable takeaways
The days
- Moving to Monday and Friday
The website soon moving from ryanguth.com to choir.ninja - Sign up there to recieve updates and other goodies.

What will stay the same?

The podcast feed
- Make sure to visit old episodes in the archive
The host (Ryan Guth)
The length (30-45 minutes)
The frequency (2x/week)

How can you make the most of the new show?

I’m using Rescuetime

Make sure you’re subscribed
- On iPhone
- On Android
Make sure you’re active in the Choir Nation Facebook group
Gain access to all content upgrades at http://choir.ninja/support
Use the resources mentioned and support the sponsors

3 Key Takeaways: Resources Mentioned:

The Find Your Forte archive of episodes on your podcast player of choice
Patreon
RescueTime (https://www.rescuetime.com/rp/choirninja)

Why aren't you in choir, with Ryan Guth Feb 01, 2017

Show notes

Ask the question! It's the best recruitment tool there is!

Falsetto and the smell of the weight room, with Chris DeVries Jan 25, 2017

Show notes

For the first time, I interview the choral director of an ALL boys school. Chris DeVries is an energetic guest, and for that reason an interesting conversation ensues about falsetto, the smell of the weight room, and morning routine. Listen Bio Coming soon! Chris recommends Links Saint Francis High Choir Nation on Facebook

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Uncover the joy of special needs choral students, with Ryan Guth Jan 24, 2017

Show notes

In this episode, I discuss ways to create meaningful relationships with your special needs students and their families of your choir program. You will also learn ways to accommodate these students moving forward both in class and in performance without depriving the rest of your choir of the attention they deserve. Listen I recommend... Calend.ly My notes...

Reach out to the family
- Phone is best
- If necessary, email requesting a phone call
- PRO TIP: Use a scheduler like Calend.ly to find a common call time
Find out their goals
- "How can I serve [Student} better?"
- LISTEN and take notes.
- Restate parent's goals for [Student] in your own words so they know you're listening.
- Filter all commentary through an "I want [Student] to be successful and show him/her in the best light possible."
- After conversation, log the contact.
Speak to the student, if possible
- What are your goals for being in choir?
  - Suggest options if he/she needs help, i.e. to make friends, sing better, be on stage and perform, learn to read music, have fun, etc?
  - "What else?" to encourage deeper thought.
  - After conversation, log the contact.
Speak to special ed department/music therapist about your notes.
- Could easily be added to the IEP for future teachers/you to reference later.
Put together a plan that includes participation in a meaningful way
- Class participation
  - Assign a choir buddy to help guide student success, because you can't be everywhere and you have many students who need you.
  - Give them a job that make them feel integral to the success of your class and show appreciation.
  - Make sure that student leaders in your class are cheerleaders for this (and all) students. It may be obvious that a special needs student is in the class, but sometime it may not. Be careful with this one, as you may not disclose confidential information about a special needs student.
- Concert participation
  - Potentially the parent only wants to see their son/daughter in one number in the concert.
  - Choose repertoire where student can be successful and plan it in the program strategically.
  - Be aware of the rest of your choir too.
- Non-singing participation (if singing is not a goal of the child)
  - Non-pitched percussion, ushering at concerts, is an example
Delight in the fact that you did something AMAZING for a child.

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Choir Chat, with John Hughes Jan 19, 2017

Show notes

Fellow podcaster, John Hughes, of Choir Chat comes on the Find Your Forte podcast to follow my format and share his choral philosophy, ups and downs, and his unique contribution to the choral world. Listen Bio Dr. John C. Hughes is assistant professor of music and director of choral activities at Ripon College in Wisconsin. In addition to conducting the college’s choirs, Hughes teaches conducting, choral methods, and private voice lessons. Beyond Ripon College, he is in demand as a clinician and honor choir conductor and serves as assistant conductor of the Choral Institute at the Green Lake Festival of Music (WI). He also founded and hosts Choir Chat, a weekly podcast of interviews with conductors and composers. Hughes earned his undergraduate degree in Vocal Music Education from Augustana College (IL), where he studied with Jon Hurty and Michael Zemek. After teaching in public schools for several years, he earned the M.M. in Choral Conducting from Northern Illinois University, where he studied choral conducting with Eric Johnson and orchestral conducting with Lucia Matos. Hughes earned the D.M.A. in Choral Conducting and Pedagogy at The University of Iowa, where he completed his dissertation on Leonhard Lechner’s 1593 Passion. His primary teachers at Iowa were Timothy Stalter and David Puderbaugh. A versatile choral musician and pedagogue, Hughes draws from his experience as a collegiate conductor, public school teacher, and church musician. His calm but firm demeanor and persistent dedication to excellence translate well across all ensembles. In addition to his busy performance schedule, Hughes is passionate about choral literature and scholarship, specializing in Lutheran music before 1600 and trends in contemporary choral composition. From January 2012 until August 2015, he wrote the Repertoire Forum column for the bi-monthly publication Choral Director. He has authored articles in Choral Journal and The Choral Scholar, as well as numerous reviews of choral music, books, and recordings. He serves as associate editor of Melisma, the newsletter of the north-central division of the American Choral Directors Association, and as associate editor of score reviews for The Choral Scholar. Additionally, he is a national board member of and the Wisconsin state representative for the National Collegiate Choral Organization. Links Book: Conscience of a Profession: Howard Swan, Choral Director and Teacher John’s Website John’s Twitter Choir Chat Podcast on Soundcloud Choir Chat Podcast on iTunes Support the show on

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