Learn the fundamental skills for singing in a choir. This will include vocal technique, how to determine voice type, how to navigate a choral score, singing in different languages and styles and basic music reading. We will also discuss norms and good habits of being a chorister, and what it’s like to participate in a choir rehearsal. These topics will be covered and explored through singing selections of choral repertoire. These selections have been made to showcase a cross-section of choral repertoire, representing as many different historical periods, genres, and learning styles as possible, while remaining accessible to mostly beginner singers. We will not be preparing any of the repertoire for performance, but all of the repertoire will be explored and sung to some extent.
Note: The scores used in this course will be yours to keep and will cost $35. This amount is payable to the instructor at the first class. Please bring the correct amount.
Instructor: Erin Craig
Erin Craig (they/them) is a pianist, conductor, vocalist, and composer born and raised in Edmonton. They are the artistic director of Accord Ensemble, an auditioned community chamber choir for young adults, and they have been a professional choral singer since 2003. Erin is a piano, voice and theory instructor at Crescendo Music Studios in Sherwood Park, where they facilitate peer coaching and education masterclasses for the teaching staff. Erin completed their undergraduate degree in jazz piano at Berklee College of Music Boston in 2008 before returning to Edmonton to teach arranging, ear training, theory and music history at MacEwan University while gigging as a jazz and rock pianist and vocalist and their work with choirs. In 2018, Erin graduated with a MMus in Choral Conducting from the University of Alberta. Erin lives in Edmonton and also enjoys playing video games, painting with watercolours and acrylics and writing stories.
