In this episode, the two researchers and I delve into effective strategies for teaching musical expression with experts Craig Hurley and Rebecca Atkins. We explore how integrating expression from the start can transform choir performances, and learn about innovative techniques such as using physical movements to teach dynamics, the importance of auditory cues, and the role of emotional connection in music. I learn a lot about how to engage students with both auditory and visual elements, and get to hear inspiring stories about fostering creativity and expression in young musicians. Whether you’re a seasoned conductor or new to teaching, this episode offers valuable insights and practical tips to elevate your teaching approach.

Tune in now on YouTube or your favorite podcast app!

Tune in, and have your thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself with your related ideas and experiences on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com Also, don’t forget to grab a reading rope for your classroom wall from the shop! Music Reading Rope

Independent Student Rehearsal By The Second Month Of School School by Chris Munce

Welcome back to Choralosophy Community Contributor, Ian Henning! This fantastic article will useful to vocal music educators of all levels. Ian is a great example of a myth buster.

For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

Craig Hurley is currently in his second year as the Artistic Director of the Spivey Hall Children’s Choir Program, where he leads both the Children’s Choir and the Tour Choir. Prior to this role, he led the Spivey Hall Young Artists, the preparatory ensemble of the organization, for 18 years. Dr. Hurley has been a guest clinician for honor choirs across the southeastern United States and is the immediate past president of the Georgia Chapter of the American Choral Directors Association.

In addition to his role at Spivey Hall, Dr. Hurley serves as the music specialist at Ford Elementary School in Cobb County, Georgia, where he instructs general music for students in kindergarten through fifth grade. He has led interest sessions at various state, regional, and national conferences including the 2024 ACDA Children’s & Community Youth Choir Conductors’ Retreat. His research focuses on expressive choral performance pedagogy and has been published in the International Journal of Research in Choral Singing, Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education, & The Choral Journal among others. Dr. Hurley was honored as the Teacher of the Year in both 2002 and 2016, and he was recognized as the 2020 Cobb County Elementary General Music Teacher of the Year. In 2021, he was named the Educator of the Year by the Georgia Music Educators Association.

Dr. Hurley earned his degrees from Shorter College, Berry College, and the University of Georgia.

Rebecca L. Atkins is an Associate Professor of Music Education (Vocal/Choral) and was awarded the General Sandy Beaver Professorship 2022-2024. Previously she was the Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Music Education at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga (2013-2016) where she supervised student teachers, conducted Women’s Chorale, and taught Choral Methods, Design, Instruction, and Evaluation for Music Education, and Ear-training. She also taught graduate courses in Psychology of Music, Research Methods in Music Education, and supervised projects and thesis. She received her Ph.D. in Music and Human Learning at The University of Texas at Austin (2013), an M.M. in Choral Conducting at Missouri State University (2008), and a B.M. in Music Studies at The University of Texas at Austin (1994).

Dr. Atkins is an active clinician, adjudicator, performer, and music education researcher. Her current research focuses on the effects of attention on vocal tone quality. She is also drawn to research questions that pertain to the development of performance skills and the refinement of pedagogy. Before her collegiate career, Atkins successfully directed middle school and high school choir programs for 14 years in the public school systems of Texas, Alabama, and Tennessee, earning superior and excellent ratings consistently at competitions.

Spivey Hall Children’s Choir Program: https://spiveyhall.org/education/childrens-choir/ Hurley Personal Teacher PD Page: https://express.adobe.com/page/C995ybF6tQiWP Rebecca Atkins UGA https://music.uga.edu/directory/people/rebecca-atkins

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