Choral Skill Development Class
Open to members of any Upper Valley choral group, such as church, barbershop, shape-note, & concert choirs, who wish to develop their choral skills.
Fall term: Holding Your Own – How do you develop the choral skill of singing your own part while hearing all the other parts going around you? Drones, ostinatos, polyphony, harmony, rhythmic counterpoint, and dissonant play are all possible choral combinations we can explore. Following warm-ups that build vocal accuracy, we will practice singing and listening both “horizontally” and “vertically”. Conscious work on this skill is valuable to choral singers of every level.
Spring term: Solfege Sight Reading – A chance to build up the knowledge base behind your singing, this skills class will help you sight-read with more confidence, both with rhythms and pitches. Singing from both the Jenson Sight Singing Course and other choral material, we’ll look at pulse, beat, meter, syncopation, major, minor, blues, and other scales and intervals. These skills will be immediately applicable in any choral group.
Random Quote: Class always contained unexpected surprises, which were always absolutely swell…. This is a fabulous school. After singing most of my life, finally I start to learn technique! — Priscilla Vincent, Norwich, VT
Prerequisite: have sung in a chorus before
Length: 15 weeks, 1 hour classes
Cost: $175
Minimum/Maximum Enrollment: 6/20
Faculty: Patricia Norton
Tuition Assistance
We believe that everyone, no matter their financial resources, should have access to high quality music education. Click here to learn more about available resources and how to get financial support.
Questions about a class or not sure whether to register yet?
If you are interested in a specific class and have questions, or not sure whether you are ready to register but want to stay up to date, please complete our New Student Inquiry Form and list the name of the class.
Tuition & Payment Plans
Payment plans of 2 or more payments are available by contacting the office or for group classes via online registration. Learn more about Tuition, Fees, Discounts, and Payment plans here.
UVMC Calendar
Wondering about holidays and whether UVMC is open? Find our school calendar including holidays and make-up weeks here.
Location
First Congregational Church in Thetford
2596 Route 113, Thetford, VT
Directions from I-91, exit 14 (Thetford):
Go West on 113 at end of off ramp. At the top of the hill, the Thetford Hill green is on your left, then the Thetford Hill Church is on the right across from the green. The parking lot is after (on the west side of) the church.
From the parking lot, as you face the church, there are two doors. Go in the central door, not the far left door, and go up the stairs inside. We’ll sing in the Newcomb Room, at the end of the hall on your left. Please pick up your music in the Pie Room, which is down the first hall to the left after you come up the stairs, past the kitchen. Then you can go through the double doors into the Newcomb Room.
Accessibility: If you need to use an elevator rather than stairs, please let us know ahead of time so we can be sure door is unlocked; the church has a great full-sized elevator! You will use the door on the far left and the elevator is just inside. When you come out on the second floor, you’ll turn right and right again to reach the Pie Room.
