Lucas Ensign Spring 2014 Reflection Today I was able to lead in warm ups and a short lesson for

a sixth, seventh, and eighth grade choir. Each of the ensembles were significantly different in a few ways, but generally had the same response. With the first choir that I was able to do the warm up with, I was very surprised by their responses to the warm up and short lesson. When I would over explain something the choir would produce an unsatisfactory sound, this is because their focus was not on what I was saying after a few sentences. When I chose to use the piano instead of modeling with my voice, the ensemble produced a sound that wasnt the most appropriate for their age. Finally, every word I said was taken literally, so I found myself being a little confused as to why they would do certain things. Now, I was able to reflect on what had just happened in the warm and lesson with the first choir and improve for the second and third choir. When the two choirs entered the room I first led a discussion on the purpose of warm ups, those being to warm up the voice, warm up the ears, and to have the choir focus. This immediately gave the choir a few things to think about during the warm up. For the duration of the lesson, I focused on being concise with my directions, modeling with my voice, and choosing my words carefully to set the choir of up for success. When each of these things were implement, the choir had a more enjoyable experience and I was able to get my main points across. Additionally, for assessment purposes, I had each of the students right down the three purposes of warm ups in their own words, on a notecard and had them turn it into me. Assessing a choir helps in pondering and reflecting on what had occurred as it gives an idea of what the choir is and isnt learning.