A Model For an Effective Note Teaching and Learning Strategy For Community Choirs, Incorporating Malay Folk and Childrens’ Song Material Exemplars

Abstract

This paper identifies the difficulties encountered by choir directors, particularly directors of community choirs, which is the use of a clear pedagogy for the teaching of notes and development of musical literacy. In amateur, community choirs this issue has pertinence to the choristers’ perception of the success of their conductor, amongst other measures. The role of the choir director includes many ‘music teaching’ elements, and teaching to a wide variety of musical skill and knowledge, while encouraging creativity from the choir. Through several research tools and experience, suggestions are offered for the development of pedagogies. The final decision and design of such pedagogies remain the provenance of the choir director, who best understands the most appropriate approaches and content for their group. Some ways of encouraging choristers’ creativity and ownership of music and performances are suggested, using Malay folk-song material. From this rich, regional repertoire, two exemplars have been selected and their possible performance arrangements are provided.