Page 8 - Mar_Apr23

Letters to the

Editor

Editor, which uses the F clef, often another piece in
SAT which uses a tenor clef, and occasionally
In the Nov/Dec 2022 Cho- SATB, pulling it all together. It is most unfair
ral Journal Patrick K. Freer’s to a chorister who has successfully sung with
article on Singing and Adoles- violins and flutes to be handed a voice in the
cent Males gave a fine outline cello or trombone range, and then, to top it
of what has been published. off, be told to navigate a new road map to
Just one addendum: the find those pitches. There is no quick fix, but
staves which the adolescent male must con- it helped my students (sixth–eighth graders)

quer are formidable. The youngsters spend to see the full staff, one on top of the other,
a minimum of 10 years singing from the G with middle C the prominent joiner of the
clef staff. During that time most of the cho- two. The large chart of the labeled lines and
risters realize which notes appear high and spaces of both clefs hung prominently on the
which are low. They often can feel how to board. Referring to it in warm-ups, in sight-
produce the pitch accurately. Now look at the reading, and in learning new pieces was help-
bass or F clef. Compare the second line and ful in reminding not just the changing and
top space of the G clef with the second line changed voices, but the sops and altos as well,
and top space of the F clef. What a different exactly where those pitches were, and what
sense the aforementioned line and space of they sounded like. (The tenor clef was some-
the F clef feel like in comparison to the same how easier to “get” for my students.)
known and friendly line and space in the G
clef. To add to the confusion, at the 6-8 grade Sue Fay Allen
level we perform music that is voiced SAB Past President, New York ACDA

ACDA Leadership Opportunity • ACDA Leadership Opportunity • ACDA Leadership Opportunity

LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITY

Diversity Initiatives Committee
Call for Standing Committee Membership
Details on page 62

ACDA Leadership Opportunity • ACDA Leadership Opportunity • ACDA Leadership Opportunity •

6 CHORAL JOURNAL March/April 2023 Volume 63 Number 7