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2026 ACDA Southwestern Region Conference March 4-7, 2026 Albuquerque, New Mexico

move quickly from “score to stage.” It’s all about build-
Susan Brumfield Interest Session ing knowledge and skills through small, intentional

steps over time. This session will explore strategies for
Kodály-Inspired Teaching readiness, preparation, and presentation of repertoire
in the Choral Classroom for young choirs while continuing to develop singing,
reading, writing, part-work, and aural skills in the cho-
Part 1 ral setting. We’ll explore Kodály-based tools for analyz-
ing and teaching repertoire at beginning, intermediate,
From Classroom to Chorus: and more advanced levels. A complimentary choral
Building on the K-5 Foundation reading packet will be provided.

It’s a big leap from the “happy circle” of the K–5 Susan Brumfield is professor of music
music class to the structure and pace of a choral re- education at Texas Tech University, artis-
hearsal. There’s a lot to learn, and even kids who love tic director of The West Texas Children’s
to sing can be overwhelmed and intimidated by the Chorus, and academic director of The
change in their environment. Making connections be- West Texas Kodály Initiative. An interna-
tween your rehearsals and the musical skills your sing- tionally recognized expert in the Kodály approach, she
ers bring with them from the K–5 classroom is essential is widely known as a dynamic teacher, conductor, au-
when it comes to helping them feel successful in choir. thor, and composer. She is the author of First, We Sing!
Building on the “other” musical skills (playing instru- Kodály-Inspired Teaching in the Music Classroom, a series of
ments, literacy, composition, improvisation, memory, textbooks and song anthologies published by Hal Leon-
inner hearing, and part-work) can build confidence and ard. Her additional publications include Hot Peas and
keep young singers engaged as they grow into choral Barley-O: Children’s Songs and Games from Scotland, Over the
musicians. Fast-paced and fun, student-tested and ap- Garden Wall: Children’s Songs and Games from England, and
proved, these Kodály-inspired activities fit easily into Kentucky Mother Goose, coauthored with American folk
your rehearsal and lesson plans, with minimum plan- legend Jean Ritchie. Brumfield’s choral music is pub-
ning and maximum results. We will explore five- to sev- lished by Galaxy Music Corp, Colla Voce Music, Hal
en-minute practice activities designed to save planning Leonard, and BriLee.
time and to provide efficient and fun ways to deliver
instruction and assess your singers’ progress in all areas The West Texas Children’s Chorus
of musical skill.

Part 2

What’s Next? Repertoire, Planning, and Teaching
Strategies for Young Choirs

Whether you’re working with beginning singers in
elementary choir or more advanced singers in middle
school or community ensembles, teaching in a choral
setting brings unique challenges and exciting oppor-
tunities to move beyond the K–5 classroom. Choral
singing creates a unique environment where children
can grow into well-balanced, independent musicians. Originally founded as a teaching lab for music edu-
In a Kodály-inspired approach, the goal isn’t simply to cation majors, The West Texas Children’s Chorus has

CHORAL JOURNAL January 2026 Volume 66 Number 5 133