Page 9 - ChorTeach vol14-1.indd

Performance-Based Assessments in Choirs

the ensemble while connecting to the greater idea off ered arts (who identifies as gay), prompting discussions centered
by the singers. on how our district can support its LGBTQIA+ students
Naturally, the repertoire and the theme spark conversa- and employees. The first course of action was to collabo-

tions pertaining to social and environmental justice and the rate with our chapter of GSA (Gay-Straight Alliance) and
important role vocal music has in affecting change. In an take steps in classrooms, faculty meetings, and other school

effort to be mindful of rehearsal time while acknowledg- spaces toward understanding and normalizing vocabu-

ing student thought, I began to explore program notes as lary pertaining to the LGBTQIA+ community across the
a platform for choristers to share their ideas about the mu- school district. Choristers were proud to be leaders in this
sic and its theme. Program note writing is a relevant task systemic change in their community. As a result, they were
that is often expected of professional musicians. It creates more invested in the music because our concert became an
spaces where young musicians can think critically about opportunity to advocate for their peers.
music and real-life issues. I believe it is a meaningful tool Through this PBA, singers have found ways to advocate
for evaluating student understanding. for their school music program. When writing program
The program note writing assignment is multi-modal in notes to be presented at the concert, singers consider their
order to adapt to the needs of the singers. Some singers audience, which is made up mostly of non-musicians. They
choose to write a short essay in the format of what mu- recognize that although the audience enjoys the music, they
sicians typically expect in a program note. Some write in may not understand it or relate to it. The singers engage
their home language even if it is not English. Some choris- their audience by speaking about the music at the concert
ters speak their ideas in a video recording via Flipgrid or and why it is important to them, inviting their families and
YouTube, and some individuals group together to create even administrators to become invested, too. Through pro-
a round-table podcast in which they engage in discussion gram notes, singers are directly connecting with their audi-
about the repertoire and the theme. Choir members have ence. In addition, this approach has helped foster positive
also composed raps and poems and performed them in relationships between the vocal music program and the
front of the ensemble. community.
This activity provides singers with a safe space to con- Performance-based assessments such as concert perfor-
nect music with their lives while thinking critically about mance sight-reading checks are valuable but only allow the
the repertoire and the topic for the concert. My goal is that opportunity to evaluate one part of the holistic musician.
afterwards, the singers feel a deeper responsibility for their Through program note writing, directors can evaluate cho-
performance and have greater knowledge of the repertoire risters’ understanding of music and its function in society
and topic than before they began rehearsing. In addition and their culture. Additionally, singers are participating in
to engaging in the music outside of rehearsal time, I found an activity in which they are exploring how the music is
that there were several positive outcomes from this assign- relevant to them and others and thinking critically about
ment. Sharing program notes has helped choir members its purpose. Singers should engage in critical thinking and
learn about each other and foster connectivity and rela- reflection. They are also sharing thoughts about musical

tionships that may not have existed before. The changes interpretation based on personal experiences, all of which
in relationships have positively affected our performance, deepen their understanding of music.

since singers have a deeper appreciation for their commit- Performance-based assessments can be a useful tool for
ment to themselves and each other and their role as cho- singer evaluation, an authentic and meaningful experience
risters. Furthermore, program notes have inspired ideas for which builds relationships and program advocacy. They
action in our community. For example, during a semester can also be implemented in a variety of diff erent teaching
when our theme was LGBTQIA+ composers, one student settings, including online learning. Perhaps most impor-
wrote a program note that made connections between the tantly, PBAs can exist alongside music performance to mo-

struggles of this community in the music industry and in bilize communities and affect change, thus affi rming what
our school. vocal music has done for centuries.
This note was brought to the attention of our adminis-
tration by our former supervisor for fine and performing

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