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Music in the Schools
NEIU offers faculty performances and master-classes at your school free of charge. Master classes are the best way to give your students new ideas and reinforce positive habits. Directors benefit from the opportunity to observe their students in action and learn fresh perspectives from our esteemed university faculty. These master classes are designed to fit into normal class periods and usually run 45 minutes to an hour in length. Topics include or can be combined to include:
To schedule a performance or master-class at your school contact:
Dr. Travis Heath, t-heath@neiu.edu
CHORAL ENSEMBLE
Faculty: Michael Melton
The choral master class is generally structured as a rehearsal, but can be easily adapted to meet the particular needs of the host school. The goals are to encourage students to think about music and singing from new perspectives, generate fresh energy for choral singing, and inspire them to continue their study of music after high school.
The master class begins with vocalizes, introducing exercises that can be used individually, as well as in the ensemble. Elements of good vocal production are addressed, including: posture, breathing, relaxed phonation, balanced resonation, and vowels/tone. Repertoire to be rehearsed should come from music that is already being prepared or has been performed by the choir (usually two or three pieces). The rehearsal will focus on musical interpretation, performance practice/style, expressive singing, diction, and choral sound.
There are many ways to adapt the master class to the needs of the school. Some of the time may be devoted to coaching individual students, soloists, conductors, or accompanists. Another approach (popular with many choirs) is to have the clinician “tag team” with the conductor from the school (e.g., one accompanies while the other conducts or sings). The goal is to energize students, and the master class can be adapted as necessary to meet that goal.
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STRINGS
Faculty: Joseph Glymph, Nazar Dzhuryn, Sylvia Myintoo, Gregory Sarchet
1. Posture and correctly holding the violin and viola
2. Bow arm technique
• Bow grip
• Arm weight, bow speed, and sounding point
• Proper and expressive use of the bow
• Various bow techniques
3. Left hand technique
• Fingering
• Shifting
• Vibrato
• Scales and arpeggios
• Double stop studies
4. Repertoire
• Concertos
• Sonatas
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BRASS
Faculty: Travis Heath, Arthur Linsner, Jared Bulmer, Christine Worthing
1. Flow
Posure
• Inhale/Exhale - tips on how to maximize the efficiency of your breath
• Tone quality and production
2. Flexibility
• Slurring - intervals small to wide
3. Phrasing
• Articulation - the role of the tongue
4. Slide/Fingering technique
5. Right hand placement
6. Intonation tips
7. Ensemble Training - How to listen, blend, support, or lead.
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JAZZ ENSEMBLE MASTER CLASS
Faculty: Mayo Tiana, Travis Heath
1. Swinging as an Ensemble
• Attacks, Releases, Conveying Tempo through held notes
2. Swinging as a Soloist
• Ooh-dah vs. triplet feel
3. Tips for transcribing solos
• Line contour, Rhythm, Notes
4. Tips for creating your solo
5. Tips for Rhythm Section
5. Setting up the band, under solos
6. Survey of Appropriate Jazz Ensemble literature from beginning to advanced.
Typically this master class is presented during a Jazz band rehearsal period and incorporates our curriculum into the repertoire that is currently being rehearsed.
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PERCUSSION
Faculty: Owen Clay Condon
Available Formats for Percussion Masterclass
Snare Drum Fundamentals – 30 minutes
• Basic Grip Overview
• Rebound Control
• Use of Fingers vs. Arm / Wrist
Marimba Fundamentals – 30 minutes
• Tone Production
• Placement / Accuracy
• Four Mallet Techniques
Timpani Fundamentals – 30 minutes
• French Grip Overview
• Basic Stroke Types
• Tone Production
• Tuning
Drum Set / Multi Percussion Fundamentals – 30 minutes
• Ergonomic Layout
• Basic Styles
• Posture / Endurance
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VOICE
Faculty: Phyllis Hurt, Kathy Cowan, Keven Keys
Topic: How to Succeed in Singing (and make it look easy!).
1. Learn the basics of a healthy singing technique
• Good posture
• Good breath management skills
• Getting a good sound
• Good pitch skills or singing in tune
• Clear diction (words)
2. Practice Habits
• Focus and Centering
• Recording, listening, learning
• Mirroring and reflecting
• Never expecting perfection
3. Performance Skills
• Overcoming nervousness or anxiety
• Making an entrance
• Communicating with the audience
• Interpreting a song
• Making an exit
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