• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

“What earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us too…” Pope Benedict XVI (7 July 2007)

  • Our Team
  • Pew Resources
    • Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal
    • Jogues Illuminated Missal
    • Campion Missal, 3rd Edition
  • MUSICAL WEBSITES
    • René Goupil Gregorian Chant
    • Noël Chabanel Psalms
    • Nova Organi Harmonia (2,279 pages)
    • Lalemant Polyphonic
    • Saint Antoine Daniel KYRIALE
    • Roman Missal, 3rd Edition
    • Emporium Kevin Allen
  • Miscellaneous
    • Site Map
    • Saint Jean de Lalande Library
    • Sacred Music Symposium 2023
  • Donate
Views from the Choir Loft

What If You Never Again Had To “Teach” Your Choir Notes?

Lucas Tappan · February 12, 2015

324 Sight Singing HE BOYS of Westminster Cathedral Choir, London, are legendary for their sight-singing capabilities. Msgr. Lawrence Hull—who at one time sang as an adult member of the choir under its famous founder, Sir Richard Terry—reminisced:

“I well remember…the suggestion for a Continental tour. A maestro of one of the great churches, delighted at the prospect of a visit from Dr. Terry and his choir, and wishing to be as accommodating as possible, wrote to say that he would willingly send the music it was proposed to sing, in order that it might be learned. His letter was read to the boys, who all chuckled in genuine amusement at the idea of having to ‘learn’ any music. They were used to singing-practices in plenty, but never for learning notes.”

What if you never had to “teach” your choir notes again?

One of the greatest investments you will ever make in your singers is to take the time to teach them to sing at sight. Think of the mother of a 5 year old who teaches her child to help around the house. It is more work in the beginning, but it provides a great benefit later on. In addition, the child learns to take ownership in the household and has a greater sense of belonging. The same is true for your choristers. But how?

I was not trained to be a music educator, so I have come to most of this through the school of “learning it the hard way.” To put it in a better light (and to lift your spirits if you have struggled and failed), I think of Edison trying a thousand different times to create the light bulb and failing each time. When he finally succeeded, he understood the why as apposed to just the how. You will too.

I would like to begin our journey into the world of sight-singing with a book by John Bertalot

Five Wheels to Successful Sight-Singing
A Practical Approach to Teach Children (and Adults) to Read Music

If you haven’t heard of John Bertalot, treat yourself right now and get your hands on a copy of his book. It is not only short, but it is fun to read. Next week I will begin with his Practical Secret. If you can manage the Practical Secret, the rest will be a piece of cake!

Warning: The website of John Bertalot is very slow, so be patient!

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: January 1, 2020

Subscribe

It greatly helps us if you subscribe to our mailing list!

* indicates required

About Lucas Tappan

Dr. Lucas Tappan is a conductor and organist whose specialty is working with children. He lives in Kansas with his wife and four children.—(Read full biography).

Primary Sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

Quick Thoughts

    Tempo?? • 𝘏𝘰𝘭𝘺 𝘎𝘰𝘥, 𝘞𝘦 𝘗𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘛𝘩𝘺 𝘕𝘢𝘮𝘦
    Once, after Mass, my pastor said he really loved the hymn we did. I said: “Father, that's Holy God, We Praise Thy Name—you never heard it before?” He replied: “But the way you did it was terrific. For once, it didn't sound like a funeral dirge!” Last Sunday, our volunteer choir sang that hymn. I think the tempo was just about right … but what do you think?
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Don’t You Agree About These?
    If you want to make Jeff Ostrowski really happy, send him an email with effusive praise about the individual voice recordings for hymn #296. [Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass] They came out dazzlingly sensational, don't you agree?
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Choral Vowels? Yes? No?
    Here's a live recording of one of the choral “warm-up” exercises my choir enjoys. It was taken during our rehearsal on 27 January 2023. It’s good to make sure each chord is perfectly in tune and balanced before moving to the next one. That only happens when each singer has the correct vowel. If you like, you can freely download that vocal exercise.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“In case of urgent danger of life anyone may baptize, even a heretic or pagan. It is sufficient that he administer the essential matter and form and have the implicit intention of doing what Christ instituted. Naturally a Catholic must be preferred, if possible. A man is preferred to a woman; but anyone else to the parents.”

— Father Adrian Fortescue (1917)

Recent Posts

  • Tempo?? • 𝘏𝘰𝘭𝘺 𝘎𝘰𝘥, 𝘞𝘦 𝘗𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘛𝘩𝘺 𝘕𝘢𝘮𝘦
  • PDF Download • Belgian Book of Gregorian Accompaniments (Official Edition)
  • Don’t You Agree About These?
  • Choral Vowels? Yes? No?
  • Crucial Tip For Choir Directors

Subscribe

Subscribe

* indicates required

Copyright © 2023 Corpus Christi Watershed · Isaac Jogues on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Corpus Christi Watershed is a 501(c)3 public charity dedicated to exploring and embodying as our calling the relationship of religion, culture, and the arts. This non-profit organization employs the creative media in service of theology, the Church, and Christian culture for the enrichment and enjoyment of the public.