Cohort
Proposal
Title: Choir
Online
Brief Abstract
As part of an ongoing initiative for the enhancement
of choral music online, the vision of this cohort would be to establish a
method whereby choral directors can implement effective online instruction into
their classrooms. A second goal of the
cohort is to provide continuing education for choral directors throughout the
state of Kansas. Choral directors would
be able to view clips of choirs and directors pinpointing the importance of
gesture to the related sound. Further,
directors would be able to video their own conducting and post clips to the
site to seek tips from colleagues on how to work on their technique.)
Purpose/Vision/Need
By their nature,
choral ensemble rehearsals are oriented toward synchronous group performance in
ways that often differ from courses in general music, music theory, or
musicology. Yet, if singers are to perform with rich understanding, some degree
of relationship is desirable between the ways of knowing encountered both in
choral performance classes and other music courses.
The Concert
Choir website at the University of Kansas links students to rehearsal notes with
information for students to pencil in their scores and use in learning the
music. Posting such notes on the web page saves considerable rehearsal time. It
also facilitates individual student practice and potentially prepares the way
for more productive ensemble rehearsal. Further, such web notes can provide
convenient links to other information such as the composer's biography, the historical
period, culture, and characteristics of style and form. Search engines permit
students to locate and explore other related sites. One goal of this cohort is
to empower choral music teachers to effectively use similar websites for their
choirs.
Current Members
Dr. James Daugherty, Assistant Professor, Choral
Music Education
Dr. Anne Daugherty, Courtesy Faculty, Humanities and
Western Civilization
Erin Stewart, Senior Music Ed Major
Proposed Member
Janeal Krehbiel, Middle School Teacher, Lawrence
Middle School Student of Janeal
High School Teacher from Lawrence
High School Student from Lawrence
Scope of Work
1.
To
establish an effective website to explain to teachers the value of using online
supports for their choral music classrooms. This task would mostly be done here
at KU
2.
To
develop a number of modules taken from the list of most frequently performed
works so that teachers can take a use a module to see for themselves the
benefit of online instruction in choral music education. This task would be
done as a collaboration between the whole cohort, including the selection of
works to be made into modules, and the content of the module.
3.
To
offer a workshop for teachers to come to Lawrence and learn how to develop a
web module for use in their own classrooms. Open to all teachers in the state
of Kansas, directed by Dr. James Daugherty, and run by members of the cohort.
4.
To
develop a digital video library of effective conducting techniques for teacher
use. Developed by KU students in the cohort.
5.
To
develop a digital sharing system where teachers can view videos of themselves
and others and discuss technique issues that will assist in professional
development. Developed by all the cohort.
Deliverables
1.
A
white paper.
2.
A
website.
3.
Modules
(number to be advised by the cohort) for use in choral programs
4.
Workshop
5.
Digital
Video Library
Timeline
Start date: March
1, 2001
End date: February
28, 2002
White paper: April
9
Website: April 9
1st Module: June
Workshop: July
Other modules: During
the fall
Digital video: Beginning
August and working throughout the year
Resources
A digital video camera
2 Imac laptops
Suitable software
A digital still camera
Institutionalization/Extension
The online choral music project is already an
established part of the music program here at KU. The learngen cohort would add to that initiative, and the work of
the cohort would carry on as a continuing part of the initiative.
Evaluation
It is expected that teachers would evaluate the
project, and that a number of research papers would be presented and published
from the project.