Sound Advice: Becoming a Better Children's Choir Conductor

288 Pages·2003·2.34 MB·English

by  Jean Ashworth Bartle

Sound Advice:
Becoming a Better
Children’s Choir
Conductor
JEAN ASHWORTH BARTLE
OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS
Sound Advice
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Sound Advice
Becoming a Better
Children’s Choir Conductor
J E A N A S H W O RT H B A RT L E
3
2003
1
Oxford New York
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Copyright © 2003 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
Published by Oxford University Press, Inc.
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Oxford is a registered trademark of Oxford University Press
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means,
electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise,
without the prior permission of Oxford University Press.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Bartle, Jean Ashworth.
Sound advice: becoming a better children’s choir conductor / Jean Ashworth Bartle.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 0-19-514178-4
1. Choral conducting. 2. Children’s choirs.
3. Choral singing—Instruction and study—Juvenile. I. Title.
MT88 .B35 2002
782.7(cid:1)145—dc21 2002002112
9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Printed in the United States of America
on acid-free paper
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
During the past thirty years, children’s choirs have become instruments of artistic
excellence treated with the same respect that has usually been reserved for adult
choirs, orchestras, and opera companies. Many colleagues have worked faithfully
to achieve this and have graciously endorsed this book or are listed in the bibli-
ography. What a privilege it is to work with them!
I wish to express my gratitude to several individuals who have offered their
own “sound advice” during the writing of this book: Matthew Baird, producer,
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, for his invaluable insights on the making of
recordings; John McGuigan for his computer skills; musicians Rebecca Davies,
Russell Hartenberger, Karen Henderson, and David Miller for their input to the
chapter titled “Conducting an Orchestra”; and composers Derek Holman and
Ruth Watson Henderson for their assistance with the section on the commission-
ing of new works and repertoire evaluation.
I also offer my heartfelt thanks to photographers Linda Locke and Maura Mc-
Groarty; to my computer guru, Heather Dunford, a teacher with infinite patience
and tact; to Toronto Children’s Chorus administrative staff members Beth Anderson,
Rebecca Davies, Jennifer Kirner, and Heather Wood; and to my personal assistant,
Carol Stairs, whose composure, devotion, enthusiasm, and formidable editing skills
have made this book possible.
Mentoring plays a vital role in the life of every teacher. This book is dedicated
with much love and gratitude to four great mentors in my life: Lloyd Bradshaw
(1929–1994), music director of St. George’s United Church, Toronto, 1960–1970;
Dr. Elmer Iseler (1927–1998), music director of the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir,
1964–1997, the Festival Singers of Canada, 1954–1977, and the Elmer Iseler
Singers, 1979–1998; Sir Andrew Davis, music director of the Toronto Symphony
vi ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Orchestra, 1975–1988; and Sir David Willcocks, artistic director of the London
Bach Choir, 1950–1998, music director of Kings’ College Cambridge, 1957–1973,
and director of the Royal College of Music, London, England, 1974–1984.
To the thousands of children I have had the privilege of teaching, I say a
humble, “Thank you. You have been the best teachers of all.”
And finally, to my husband, Don, soul mate and love of my life, thank you for
your unwavering support of my work, for the countless ways in which you show
it, and for sharing with me the joy of children and music.
TESTIMONIALS
Jean Ashworth Bartle is a superb musician, master conductor and teacher. She
writes this book from her years of experience building the Toronto Children’s
Chorus, one of the finest choral instruments in the world today. Sound Adviceis a
‘must have.’ You will use it your whole career.
Lydia Adams
Artistic Director, Elmer Iseler Singers
Music Director, Amadeus Choir
Toronto, Ontario
In the end, with Jean Ashworth Bartle it is all about the music. She has nurtured
and encouraged the love, the beauty, and the skills of music in young singers and,
as a consequence, has put the children’s choir right at the front in musical life.
Bob Chilcott
Composer & Former Member of The Kings Singers
Oxford, England
Jean Ashworth Bartle has opened the eyes and ears of the world to the artistry of
the child’s voice. Her dedication and devotion to the choral art have created
standards of performance that will benefit generations of children for years to
come. Jean continues to share her wealth of experience with choral directors
around the world. Who better to turn to for “sound advice”?
Barbara Clark, C.M.
Artistic Director, Central Children’s Choir of Ottawa-Carleton
Ottawa, Ontario
Jean Ashworth Bartle is Canada’s consummate conductor of children’s choirs.
Her articulate and insightful commentary not only on the fundamentals of
viii TESTIMONIALS
choral conducting and rehearsing, but also on the preparation of major works,
new repertoire, and the subtleties of successful chorus management is truly
“sound advice” for all conductors of the unchanged voice. This is an invaluable
resource—a rich and multifaceted compendium of choral excellence.
Robert Cooper
Conductor & Executive Producer of Choral Concert, CBC
Radio Two
Toronto, Ontario
Jean Ashworth Bartle is a great inspiration to me. It is a joy and an educational
experience to observe Jean in action with her choirs, each section of her
rehearsal ideally planned and creatively executed. The respect she shows the
children as musicians and as human beings is reflected by their behavior in
rehearsal, onstage and interacting with one another. The quality of vocal
production of her singers is rounded, clear and simply a beautiful tone
complimenting the young voice. TCC performances are always of the highest
quality. With great admiration I congratulate Jean on her fine work and thank
her for her contributions to the world of choral singing.
Debra Damron
Founder and Director of the Internationaler Oberurseler
Kinderchor, Germany.
Jean Ashworth Bartle’s Sound Advicemanages to pack a lifetime of experience
and reflection into one book. The range of topics—from vocal technique
through recording, repertoire and “other things you need to know that you
likely were not taught in music school”—will make this book a valuable resource
and a fascinating read for conductors of any choir, not only children’s choirs.
Morna Edmundson
Executive Director, World of Children’s Choirs–2001
Co-Director, Elektra Women’s Choir
Vancouver, British Columbia
Associate Artistic Director, Coastal Sounds Music Academy
Jean Ashworth Bartle is one of the world’s leading authorities on children’s
choirs. Her exemplary work as conductor, teacher, and champion of
contemporary composers has consistently set high standards for children’s
choirs.Sound Advice, with its artistic and practical information, is a gift to the
choral community from a master teacher. Jean has amazing knowledge of the
young voice and what is required to lead a choir to sing beautifully. This is a
“must have” for anyone involved with children’s choirs.
Dr. Janet Galván
Professor of Music
Ithaca College, Ithaca, New York
TESTIMONIALS ix
Jean Ashworth Bartle has a complete and awe-inspiring knowledge of the
conductor’s art; she is also a great humanist. We who know her are grateful for
her profound love of music and people. Her heart is as big as the world. When
she conducts my compositions, she has the uncanny ability to reach in and
touch the heart and soul of my feelings.
Srul Irving Glick, C.M.
Composer and Conductor
Toronto, Ontario
Jean Ashworth Bartle is dedicated to the children with whom she works and to
the artistic expression of the music she conducts. While striving for the highest
musical goals, she still manages to make rehearsals enjoyable and rewarding for
her choirs. The choristers are always treated as artists, not as mechanical robots,
and their singing conveys a musical sensitivity far beyond what one would
expect from young singers. Drawn from her wealth of knowledge and
experience, Jean’s new book will be of great interest to all conductors of
children’s choirs.
Ruth Watson Henderson
Composer and Pianist
Accompanist, Toronto Children’s Chorus
Toronto, Ontario
Jean Ashworth Bartle is an integral part of the Toronto artistic pyramid. Her
musicianship is world-renowned. She is inspired and inspirational. Her secrets
are out! A “must read”!
Jessie Iseler
Manager, Elmer Iseler Singers
Toronto, Ontario
When Jean Ashworth Bartle’s Toronto Children’s Chorus first appeared at the
National ACDA Convention in San Antonio, Texas, in 1987, we in the audience
were dazzled by their stunning tone, their ambitious repertoire, and their
glorious musicianship. Jean is a master teacher, a wonderful musician, and an
inspiration. Her new book is a “must have.”
Dr. Ann Howard Jones
Professor and Director of Choral Activities
Boston University School for the Arts
Boston, Massachusetts
Another gift to treasure! In Sound Advice, Jean Ashworth Bartle generously
shares her experience and expertise, her philosophy and passion. She challenges
each of us to become better at the magical work we have chosen to do—direct