The Voice Foundation

Re-Imagining the Vocal Ensemble:
Differentiated Strategies in a “Triple Treat” Approach to Learning:
Promoting Student Agency via Vocal Development and Musical Exploration

Introduction: According to The Chorus Impact Study: Singing for a Lifetime (2019), 54 million Americans regularly sing in a chorus, citing numerous reasons for participation, including music making, fun, stress relief, connecting with others, and connecting with self (e.g., spirituality/emotion/faith). As such, it is safe to assume that many more people engage with singing in group settings rather than individual singing lessons. Reasons for this may be a preference for singing in an ensemble for the social or collaborative aspect of a group, issues of access (e.g., financial, locational, etc.), cultural norms, and musical preferences. However, an individual's singing voice changes throughout their life, and individual vocal development poses a challenge in ensemble settings. Most warm-ups are homogenized and may target musical goals or the development of an ensemble sound rather than the development of an individual’s vocal technique.

Objective: This workshop introduces a framework for a scaffolded series of differentiated warm-ups for multiple voice types to be used simultaneously in an ensemble setting to foster vocal technical development and to increase ownership and agency of voice use for individuals in an ensemble. Additional strategies to include musical growth and development will also be included.

Methods: The framework will be explored in a participatory and collaborative group warm-up session led by workshop facilitators. Participants will be immersed in the procedures of this design, including how to introduce this format to an ensemble, opportunities for co-instruction, strategies for assessing individual voices within the group, and general pre- and post-assessment of vocal efficiency.

Results/Conclusion: The workshop will conclude with a question and answer period for discussing the applications of this teaching design to specific populations. This workshop will connect the content areas of voice and choral pedagogy and help review general pedagogical principles for leaders of ensembles to foster self-reflective voice use for ensemble members and establish a culture of learner-centered practices in the rehearsal room. It can be used and adapted for various settings and populations, including the general music classroom, choral rehearsals, ensemble music rehearsals for theatrical productions, and group voice classes. Come ready to sing and be heard!