institute for choral teacher education
TRANSCRIPT
Institute for Choral Teacher
EducationDoreen Rao, PhD
Choral Music ExperienceIntroduction to
the Practice, Publications and Professional Development Programs
TablE of ConTEnTs
InTroduCTIon ................................................................................. 1
organIzaTIonal CharT ........................................................... 3
hIsTorICal baCkground ........................................................ 4
a PErformanCE ParadIgm for musIC EduCaTIon ....... 6
ThE InsTITuTE for Choral TEaChEr EduCaTIon ............. 7
InsTITuTE CoursE objECTIvEs ................................................ 11
CmE CErTIfICaTIon and arTIsT-TEaChEr dIPloma ........ 15
ChICago sIngs! summEr fEsTIval .................................... 17
boosEy & hawkEs CmE PublICaTIons .............................. 18
dorEEn rao sElECTEd PublICaTIons ................................ 21
For the art of choral music and the future of music education.
Copyright © 2014 by Doreen Rao www.DoreenRao.com
www.choralmusicexperience.com
brochure photos by William Elliscopyright © Doreen Rao 2014
Choristers work with Doreen Rao
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InTroduCTIon
CHORAL MUSIC EXPERIENCE
Choral Music Experience publications and professional development
programs link the standards of concert performance with the goals of
music education and social responsibility. The following introduction
offers an overview of CME performance teaching values, conducting
programs, certification and diploma courses available in the United
States, Canada, the UK and Ireland.
Developed by Doreen Rao as a performance model for music
education, CME publications and professional development
programs were inspired by Rao’s tenure as Music Director of the
Glen Ellyn Children’s Chorus, her Grammy Award-winning work with
the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and her visionary leadership
in founding the American Choral Directors Association National
Committee on Children’s Choirs.
Dedicated to the ongoing professional development of conductors
and teachers working with children and youth choirs in school,
classroom and community singing programs, CME annual courses
and regularly scheduled workshops provide sequential conductor
and choral teacher certification programs to support professionalism
and inspire the highest standards of repertoire and vocal performance
teaching.
The repertoire-based courses and workshops include cutting edge
instruction in voice education, score preparation and musical analysis,
conducting, program and rehearsal planning, choral pedagogy and
performance practice. The professional development curriculum
is distinguished by Doreen Rao’s performance approach to music
education. It is rooted in the practice of awareness (mindfulness),
the development of cultural sensitivity, and an exploration of socially
engaged musicianship.
American and Canadian conductors and choral teachers may
choose to study in a number of summer workshop locations, or at
the annual CME Institute in Chicago. In the United Kingdom and
Ireland, choral conductors and teachers may enroll for a sequenced
series of workshops sponsored in London, Fife and Dublin, or at the
biannual CME Institute at Stirling University.
The CME Institute is dedicated to the development of vocal artistry,
“Doreen Rao has truly changed the face of choral music…”Nick Page, American singer, song leader and composer
“For her, every note has an urgent meaning, not just within the composition, but within the wider world.” Robert Everett-Green, critic
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teaching expertise and social sensitivity as these essential qualities
impact the continued professional development of gifted musicians
and dedicated teachers. The Institute exists to inspire and support
emerging conductors and teachers committed to choral singing as
music education.
hIsTorICal baCkground
Throughout its history of exemplary
programs, publications and professional
development initiatives, Doreen Rao’s
Choral Music Experience has provided
both a theoretical and practical
foundation for choral music education.
Rao’s concept of performance
teaching, combined with her research
and professional achievements,
converged to renew and inspire the nation’s interest in choral singing
for children and youth.
Beginning in 1986, Doreen Rao’s innovative choral textbooks
and culturally diverse choral music series with Boosey & Hawkes
developed simultaneously with her annual CME Institute for Choral
Teacher Education. The first professional development program of
its kind, the CME Institute for Choral Teacher Education’s annual
conducting courses and certification programs were developed
to establish professional standards for conducting and teaching
children and youth choirs.
Throughout North America, the United Kingdom, and around
the world, the CME Institute for Choral Teacher Education has
provided choral conductors and music educators with a clearly
articulated set of principles and practices. Distinguished from both
organIzaTIonal CharT
CmE Institute for Choral Teacher Educationdoreen rao Phd, founder - director
lee r. kesselman, Co-founder, associate director usmandy miller, associate director uk/Ireland
board of directors
Institute uk/Ireland
Institute us/Canada
london, England Ithaca, ny
dublin, Ireland
st. louis, mo
stirling, scotland
Portland, or
Chicago, Il
www.choralmusicexperience.com
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the “autocratic-technical approach” to rehearsing choirs and the
“conceptually oriented, music-elements approach” to teaching
general music, the “CME performance approach” differs significantly
from conventional methods by the quality of its joyful, engaged and
reflective rehearsal pedagogies practiced collaboratively for the
artistic, educational and social benefit of young singers and their
communities.
Doreen Rao’s Choral Music Experience instructional methods and
music materials link the standards of concert performance with the
goals of music education. In a national tribute presented to her
by the American Choral Directors Association, eminent American
conductor Robert Shaw wrote: “The world of choral music owes her
special thanks. She is preparing our future.”
a PErformanCE ParadIgm for musIC EduCaTIon
Rao envisioned Choral Music Experience as a way to unify the values
of performance experience with the goals of music education.
Through her research, writing, concerts and lecture-demonstrations
around the country, Rao sought to unite the best practices of
music education with a choral repertoire and reflective pedagogy
that would bring singing back to the center of music education in
American schools and community music programs.
The Choral Music Experience concept was developed by Rao as a
performance model for music teaching and learning based on a
musically distinguished and culturally diverse choral literature suited
for the social and cultural conditions of a changing world. This
teaching philosophy and musical practice is widely recognized as
an American-inspired educational paradigm for ensemble singing
that begins with the personal skills of receptivity and respect.
phot
o by
Willi
am E
llis
Choristers at CME London
“The world of choral music owes her special thanks. She is preparing our future.”Robert Shaw
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ThE InsTITuTE for Choral TEaChEr EduCaTIon
The CME Institute for Choral Teacher Education is a professional
development program for singers, conductors and choral teachers
seeking to renew and enhance their skills. While the majority of
course participants are working professionals, student participation
is encouraged. The repertoire-based curriculum emphasizes the
essential elements of singing and conducting, score study and
rehearsal planning, choral pedagogy, and performance practice.
The Institute’s professional development program is based on the
principles of diversity, inclusion and social responsibility - values closely
aligned with performance and education in a changing world. While
instruction focuses on developing and refining conducting expertise,
participants are encouraged to transcend technical mastery and
embrace the opportunity to make music in a way that empowers
and transforms the lives of young singers and their communities.
Courses and workshops
CME Institute courses and workshops encourage ongoing, long-term
professional development. Participants generally attend a series
of courses or annually repeated workshops and study retreats to
connect with a trusted community of choral colleagues who support
one another’s musical growth and professional development. The
ongoing CME Institute courses in all countries offer three or more
choral teacher certification levels.
For those interested in furthering their choral music education
studies beyond Level III, the Institute program offers the CME Artist-
Teacher and Master Teacher Diplomas, available exclusively with
Professor Doreen Rao and Institute Faculty in the US (Chicago), UK
(Stirling University) or through private study. The Institute Course
Objectives and Artist-Teacher qualifications can be found later in
this publication.
CME courses and workshops are offered annually in a variety of
locations in the United States, Great Britain and Ireland. They are
led by distinguished professionals who have earned both the Artist-
Teacher and Master Teacher Diplomas. Thematically developed
annual courses feature a balanced repertoire of choral classics,
contemporary and world music compositions, with composers-in-
residence as part of the guest artist faculty. Academic credit is
available in some locations upon request.
Doreen Rao at Britten’s “Red House” in Aldeburgh
phot
o by
Willi
am E
llis
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Participants
Participants who attend CME courses and workshops come from a
variety of backgrounds with a wide range of professional interests.
University choral directors and music education faculty attend
courses to observe innovative practices and research perspectives
related to choral music education. Music teachers attend courses
to develop knowledge of the repertoire and improve their singing
and conducting skills. Choral conductors attend to expand their
knowledge of the repertoire, refine their analytical skills, and
improve their choral pedagogy. Many emerging conductors,
university students and beginning level teachers are interested in
earning nationally recognized certification or academic credit
for professional advancement. Others simply return annually to
study new choral repertoire, renew professional skills, and re-kindle
friendships.
Institute Curriculum
The Institute’s curriculum includes the study of performance
philosophy, curriculum building, culturally diverse instructional styles,
and innovative choral pedagogies. The Institute also offers a vast array
of professional resources and contacts. Professionally accomplished
and nationally recognized conductors, teachers and composers set
the standards for each CME course. The rigorous and transformative
course of study takes place in an environment of compassion and
kindness, hallmarks of every Institute. The curriculum objectives of
developing a robust and versatile musicianship, motivating best
practices, and encouraging teaching and performance innovation
are deeply enhanced by the development of a professional
community of mutual support and encouragement – perhaps one of
the greatest resources for conductors and choral teachers desiring
to continue their professional growth.
“The Festival Chorus performed with incredible energy, joy and precision. To watch Rao pull every ounce of music out of her artists was a joy in itself.”
Ann LeBar, The Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Washing-ton Northwest Bach Festival
Finally, the CME Institute, certification courses and workshops
encourage invisible and interpersonal skills related to conducting
and choral teaching. Contemplative-based instruction for singers,
conductors and choral teachers introduces the use of mindfulness
meditation, yoga and tai chi forms to enhance the quality of
rehearsal interactions and performance relationships. These
practices promote singing as integral to health and well-being and
as a path to peacemaking and social action. Through the integration
of musical and contemplative practices adapted for ensemble
teaching and learning, the Institute encourages the merging of
ethics and excellence in the practice of choral music education in
a changing world.
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InsTITuTE CoursE objECTIvEs
knowledge of the repertoire
To develop a diverse and distinguished repertoire of choral classics,
contemporary music, and world musics as the basis for performance
teaching and learning in the choir. We encourage the study of
historically significant repertoire alongside the new music of local,
national and international living composers, with an emphasis on the
cross-cultural and transformative potential of all repertoire.
The art of Concert Programming
To develop a balanced curriculum of repertoire and performance
opportunities that serves as the basis for enhancing musicianship,
empowering personal confidence, encouraging social responsibility,
and benefiting the community. We encourage innovative
programming - inclusive of multigenerational singing, multimedia
productions, audience participation and service-oriented social
outreach as central to music education in the world today.
Principles and Practices of score Preparation
To develop a systematic approach to the study of choral repertoire
that includes a sequential and detailed analysis of text, musical
structure, and composition. We encourage score preparation
based on best practices related to structural analysis, musicology,
harmony, counterpoint and culture, as practiced and taught by
American conductors Margaret Hillis and Robert Shaw.
rehearsal Planning: key to success
To develop and deepen an awareness of musical structure as
the impetus for efficient and effective rehearsal planning and
choral pedagogy. This is accomplished through diagramming or
charting a work after it is studied. We encourage a sequenced
approach to rehearsal planning that begins with the singing of easily
mastered segments moving toward the gradual integration of more
challenging segments. We encourage an approach that empowers
learning through ongoing, gradual musical mastery, always ending
rehearsals with a sense of accomplishment and success.
The versatile Conductor
To develop a confident and articulate conducting technique as core
to the practice of choral teacher education. The art of conducting
is central to the Institute’s professional development curriculum. We
encourage a systematic approach to gesture as a dynamic form
of listening, teaching and performing. We encourage conducting
as an articulate nonverbal gesture, an embodiment of our musical
understanding, our knowledge of the repertoire, healthy singing
practices, and as a demonstrated commitment to conveying music
artfully.
Interactive rehearsal Pedagogy
To develop a dynamic range of experientially-oriented teaching
techniques and nonverbal choral methods distinguishable from the
limitations of autocratic, verbally-oriented leadership.
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We encourage the use of conducting gesture, chant, Kodály
methods, movement and other nonverbal and reflective pedagogies
practiced in the spirit of musical collaboration. We encourage co-
creativity and musical engagement through singing and musical
problem solving practiced in the teaching and learning context of
the repertoire itself.
adaptable Performance Practice
To develop a broader understanding of historically informed
and culturally considered musical practices from a ‘diversity of
perspectives’ including a demonstrated commitment to living
composers and contemporary culture. We encourage performance
practices that embody personal qualities of character and
personality, suggesting that what we do in conducting and teaching
is always contingent upon, and never separate from, the invisible
internal skills of adaptability, cooperation, receptivity and respect.
Ethical discernment and Engaged musicianship
To encourage the relationship between excellence and ethics,
we stress what Harvard University research calls “good work,”
defined in a dual sense as work that is both excellent in quality and
socially responsible. Our professional development program links
the teaching of visible, external skills such as analysis, musicology,
conducting and pedagogy with the teaching of invisible, internal skills
developed through reflective practices and the contemplative arts.
These mindfulness practices go beyond stress reduction to facilitate
new ideas, novel solutions and the enhanced musical perspectives
required of 21st century singers, conductors, and choral teachers.
best Practices in the 21st Century
To develop an understanding of what constitutes “Best Practices,”
we take into account “authenticity of spirit” -- a quality that can be
heard in and through the music as a continuum from considerations
of reproduction to originality. We encourage conductors and choral
teachers to honor traditions and practices without imposing a 19th
century Western European aesthetic on modern 21st century and
world musics. We suggest that conductors and choral teachers are
ethically bound to build the bridges that connect historical traditions
and practices with personal sensitivity and social responsibility, a
practice defined by Doreen Rao as “socially engaged musicianship.”
Community of CME Colleagues
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CmE CErTIfICaTIon and arTIsT-TEaChEr dIPloma
CME Certification in Choral Teacher Education
Earning the CME Artist-Teacher Diploma
The successful CME Artist-Teacher candidate demonstrates expertise in:
• Conducting in a confident, expressive and skillful manner
• modeling a way of thinking, singing and believing in the music
• Teaching nonverbally in a reflective and collaborative style
• demonstrating a studied and dynamic understanding of selected musical repertoire
The successful CME Artist-Teacher candidate demonstrates a commitment to:
• Programming quality choral music for all levels of instruction
• singing with vocal expertise as an essential teaching and rehearsal skill
• Empowering student musicianship in rehearsals
• Performing musically diverse and artistically distinctive concert programs
The CME Institute’s Choral Teacher Certification, Levels I, II, and III, are prerequisites to the CME Artist-Teacher Diploma, but do not constitute an exclusive criteria for the Diploma. The CME Artist-Teacher Diploma is awarded after the suc-cessful completion of a Level III course, and only after the candidate demonstrates these professional qualifications with ease and confidence. It is recommended that can-didates for the CME Artist-Teacher Diploma take the Level III and Artist-Teacher courses with Doreen Rao at the CME Institute for Choral Teacher Education in the US or UK.
The successful CME Artist-Teacher candidate demonstrates:
• a cross-cultural view of music education as the opportunity to participate in diverse musical cultures through singing
• a philosophy of performance teaching with the ability to articulate the same
• The ability to work with composers and solo artists to inspire collaboration and develop innovative performances
• Commitment to an educational vision of choral singing, reaching out to the wider community of parents, administrators, and the general public The successful CME Artist-Teacher candidate demonstrates active participation in professional service organizations and conferences, such as:
• International Federation for Choral Music (IFCM)
• The American Choral Directors Association (ACDA)
• Chorus America
• Association for Canadian Choral Conductors, Association of Irish Choirs, Association of British Choral Directors
• Specialist music education organizations (e.g. Kodaly Association, Orff Association)
• Local networking efforts that encourage collaboration and professional growth
A CME Artist-Teacher is one who has successfully completed a minimum of three full courses in choral teacher education under the guidance of a certified CME Teaching Associate. All CME professional development courses and workshops under the auspices of the US and UK Institute for Choral Teacher Education are designed to enable course participants to develop the specialized professional qualifications described below.
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ChICago sIngs! summEr fEsTIval
Chicago Sings! hosts the Summer Festival concert performances
in association with Doreen Rao’s CME Institute for Choral Teacher
Education. Institute conductors, choral teachers and young artist
choirs perform a wide range of diverse and distinguished repertoire.
Institute composers and scholars-in-residence join forces with the
Festival choruses and orchestra to present musical insights and short
stories to take performers and audience members beyond the score
and between the notes of a spiritually inspired concert repertoire.
The mindfulness-based Chicago Sings! Summer Festival emphasizes
the importance of choral singing as a spiritually and socially engaged
celebration in which artists
and audiences alike learn
more about themselves
and the world around
them. Chicago Sings!
Summer Festival is open to
the public and is recorded
in performance.
Chicago’s glorious St.
James Cathedral is the
concert home of Chicago Sings! For further information, visit
boosEy & hawkEs CmE PublICaTIons
In 1986 Doreen Rao signed an agreement with music publisher
Boosey & Hawkes to develop and edit the Choral Music Experience
series of publications. The internationally popular choral octavos
offer a balanced and inspired repertoire of European classics,
contemporary compositions, and world music for classroom choirs,
concert stages and music education choral curricula.
CME publications are carefully selected compositions and
arrangements developed into specialized choral series for treble
and mixed voice choirs. Conceived and organized for teaching and
performing by levels of musical challenge (beginning, intermediate
and advanced), the growing CME catalog has evolved into twelve
distinct series of collections and classroom textbooks. www.Boosey.
com
Rao’s award-winning books and choral publications continue
to serve a diverse population of school, community and church
choirs. Composed and arranged by an international roster of gifted
composers, Boosey/CME publications serve choirs of every age and
ability.
The following overview of Boosey & Hawkes Choral Music Experience
Series shows the scope, range and diversity of these choral
publications. For a review of any CME publication please visit
http://www.halleonard.com.
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boosEy & hawkEs CHORAL MUSIC EXPERIENCE
Doreen Rao, Series Editor
Building BridgesFor developing choirs, including middle school, junior high and beginning level high school singers, this CME series features a culturally diverse and educationally conceived choral repertoire composed and arranged to motivate and inspire continued musical growth through the transition years. Interchangeable voicings are often used.
Celtic VoicesUsing original compositions and inspired arrangements from diverse Celtic traditions, both ancient and modern, Celtic Voices features music from Ireland, Scotland, England and Europe. It includes works for treble and mixed chorus for use in both the classroom and the concert hall.
Choral Music ExperienceThis original CME series for children’s choirs pioneered “artistry in education;” it was the first published resource to encourage the development of musicianship through performance repertoire. It includes a culturally and stylistically diverse repertoire for young treble choirs at the beginning, intermediate and advanced levels of challenge.
Conductor’s ChoiceFeaturing a broad and comprehensive range of choral music for mixed voice high school, college, and community choirs, the music in this CME series is inspired by great poetry and distinguished texts in many languages. It has it all, from a cappella to multi-movement works with orchestra or instrumental ensemble accompaniment.
From the PodiumDoreen Rao’s signature series showcases familiar multi-movement works recommended for professional and educational performance contexts. These 20th Anniversary editions feature newly edited and compiled versions of CME favorites. They include culturally diverse repertoire, a cappella and accompanied.
Holiday LightsFor holiday festivals, liturgies, or concert programs, Holiday Lights celebrates the season in many different styles. American, Canadian, British and European composers and arrangers are included in this CME series.
In High Voice sandra snow, editorEspecially for women, In High Voice features an innovative and expressive repertoire for high school, collegiate and community women’s choirs. Included in this CME series are choral classics, serious contemporary works, and world music repertoire for treble choirs of all levels and abilities.
In Low Voice jonathan reed, advisorEspecially for men, In Low Voice offers an original and exciting repertoire for high school, collegiate and community men’s choirs. Choral classics, serious contemporary works and world music repertoire for men’s choirs of all levels and abilities are included in this CME series.
Latin Accents janet galván, advisorA unique series designed to broaden students’ knowledge of authentic Latin American vocal styles containing Indian, Arabic, African, Hispanic and European influences. Predominantly in Spanish, with English translations, this CME series includes repertoire for treble and mixed voiced choirs at all levels of ability.
Opera Workshop Emily Ellsworth, advisorThis is a series of drama-inspired works (acts and scenes from theater-based works) developed to encourage interactive musical experiences for young choirs. Repertoire in this CME series includes standard classics as well as new and experimental projects.
Gospel Music Experience walter whitman, jr. and Eugene rogers, advisorsThis CME series includes compositions and arrangements in the traditional and contemporary styles of Gospel alongside European classics arranged in the Gospel style. From unison to traditional three-part voicings with interchangeable alto-tenor-bass parts, GME is perfect for church, school and community choruses and choirs at every level of ability.
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dorEEn rao sElECTEd PublICaTIons
Doreen Rao. Circle of Sound: A Contemplative Approach to Voice Education. New York: Boosey & Hawkes, 2005.
Doreen Rao. We Will Sing! Choral Music Experience for Classroom Choirs. New York: Boosey & Hawkes, 1994.
Doreen Rao. We Will Sing! Choral Music Experience for classroom Choirs, Performance Programs: One, Two and Three. New York: Boosey & Hawkes, 1995.
Doreen Rao. Choral Music for Children’s Chorus: An Annotated Guide. Reston: Music Educators Conference (MENC), 1990.
Doreen Rao. (co-author). SING! Choral Textbook for Secondary School Music. Houston: Hinshaw Music, 1987.
Doreen Rao. Short books published from 1987-1991. New York: Boosey & Hawkes The Art in Choral Music The Artist in Every Child Artistry in Music Education Developing the Young Singing Voice Teaching and Learning Through Choral Music Experience
Doreen Rao. Choral Music Experience Anthology, Books 1, 2, 3. London: Boosey & Hawkes Music Publishers Ltd., 1998.
Doreen Rao. CME Concert Collections, Vol. 1 and 2. London: Boosey & Hawkes Music Publishers Ltd., 1995.
Doreen Rao. “Authentic Choral Music Experience as “GoodWork”: The Practice of Engaged Musicianship,” in DeQuadros, Andre (ed), Cambridge Companion to Choral Singing. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2012.
Doreen Rao. “Feminine Perspectives on Conducting and Teaching Choral Music,” in Conlon, Joan (ed), Wisdom, Wit and Will: Women Choral Conductors on Their Art. Chicago: GIA Publications, 2009.
Leonard Bernstein MASS. Doreen Rao, edition (Concert Selections for Soloists and Choruses) a new 35’ concert edition for school, community and church choirs. Boosey & Hawkes, 2009.
Doreen Rao’s Choral Music Experience Series, Boosey & Hawkes A comprehensive choral music curriculum developed for choral music in education, comprised of ten separate choral series. It includes 1000+ octavos and extended works featuring Canadian, American, British, Latin American, and European composers and arrangers.
On Location with Doreen Rao and the Glen Ellyn Children’s Chorus. American Choral Director’s Association (ACDA), On Location Series, Volume 1, 1987. Oklahoma City, USA. (CD)
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Institutefor
Choral Teacher EducationChoral Music Experience
has successfully completed the requirements for
Artist-Teacher Diploma in Choral Music Education
Doreen Rao, PhD Institute Director
Lee KesselmanInstitute Associate Director
2014
Institutefor
Choral Teacher Education
Choral Music Experience
has successfully completed the requirements for
Master Teacher Certification in Choral Music Education
Doreen Rao, PhD Institute Director
Mandy Miller Institute Associate Director
2014
copyright © Doreen Rao 2014
“Doreen Rao is a brilliant artist and teacher… whose methods and materials could reenergize the art of singing in our schools.”from bronwyn drainie, The globe and mail
“Singing Teacher’s approach turns a chorus of woes into wows”