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K-12 Resources:

Book Reviews

Compiled by

Jamila L. McWhirter

Jamila L. McWhirter is a profes- Teaching Music Through Performance as composers, arrangers, and di-
sor of music education at Middle in Contemporary A cappella is one of rectors in the genre. J.D. Frizzell,
Tennessee State University. She is the most recent publications in the Erin Hackel, Deke Sharon, Marc
the national chair of ACDA’s Stand- Teaching Music Through Performance Silverberg, and Ben Spalding each
ing Committee for Education & series published by GIA Publica- contribute meaningful chapters

Communication. tions. If you are familiar with oth- with specific detail on the learn-
Jamila.McWhirter@mtsu.edu er books in the choral series, then ing and teaching of a cappella.

you will not be surprised that this The first chapter is an overview
Editor’s note: The following book re- follows the same format of infor- of the musical elements, perfor-
views were submitted by the mem- mative chapters followed by the mance elements, sound reinforce-
bers of ACDA’s Education & Com- Teacher Resource Guide. Part one ment, and stage positioning of
munication Standing Committee. is devoted to the fundamentals of contemporary a cappella, vocal
These reviews are reprinted from teaching contemporary a cappella, jazz, and barbershop styles and is
ChorTeach Summer 2022. View emotional expression, singing in especially valuable to choral music
the full summer issue at acda.org/ a variety of contemporary styles, teachers who desire to teach a cap-
chorteach. and the elements of contempo- pella styles to their students but per-
rary a cappella competitive singing. haps feel under prepared or over-
Part two is an invaluable resource whelmed. Chapter two includes
guide that presents information on important reminders about the
Submitted by Jamila McWhirter various a cappella arrangements, fundamental task of authentic com-
including barbershop, contempo- munication, regardless of the vocal
Teaching Music Through rary, doo-wop, folk/classical, and style, through creating a safe space
Performance in Contemporary vocal jazz. Lastly, this is followed for emotional exploration, inter-
A cappella by a user-friendly set of indexes of personal harmony, emotional con-
Compiled and Edited by arrangements listed by diffi culty nection through an understanding
Deke Sharon, J.D. Frizzell, level, composer/arranger, and title. of musical elements, and openness.
and Marc Silverberg Written in a straight-forward, The Spectrum Method of vo-
Chicago, IL: GIA Publications, Inc. conversational style, the book is au- cal instruction discussed in the
(2020) thored by a distinguished panel of third chapter was particularly in-
329 pages experienced a cappella choral ed- teresting to me as a reviewer. The
$29.95 (softcover) ucators, who also wear many hats overview of laryngeal position in

CHORAL JOURNAL October 2022 Volume 63 Number 3 67