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• Conductor connection: able to follow and respond to a ba- world). This presents another case of access to opportu-
sic conducting pattern nity, as schools and districts with poor funding may not
have the ability to hire an accompanist or voice teacher
• Musical expression: demonstrates dynamics, tempo, and to support students in learning their music for all-state.
phasing as indicated However, we will not focus here.
If, however, it is the case the students must learn their
• Independent musicianship: able to maintain vocal line music before arriving at all-state, then sight-reading is
when singing with others not actually a required (preferred, maybe?) skill to be
successful “on the job.” And if that is, in fact, the case,
• Tone: a healthy, energized tone with proper breath sup- then what shall we do with the sight-reading portion of
port the all-state exam? I say, toss it out! As a note, there are
some states that offer a “Sight-Reading Choir” experi-
• Choral collaboration: able to listen to peers and make ence. In many instances, students receive their music
real-time adjustments upon arrival, and I have seen instances where this par-
ticular group will sight-read a piece on stage during their
In many states, students are expected to have learned final concert performance. In this one instance, sight-
the music before they arrive at all-state (in a perfect reading is a required skill.

Band Orchestra Choir Jazz

MIDWESTERN MUSIC CAMP
Registration
opens in 2024!
music.ku.edu/mmc
JUNE 9 - 13, 2024 JUNE 16 - 20, 2024
Middle School & High School Choir Middle School Orchestra
High School Orchestra | Middle School Band High School Band
High School Jazz Organ Academy

CHORAL JOURNAL February 2024 Volume 64 Number 6 69