Inspiring Artistry

Abstract

Chapter 3 examines song and its role in the development of children’s artistry. It addresses the need for songs of increasing musical difficulty throughout childhood, and how rhythm, melody, and text, individually and together, affect the development of children’s artistry musically, expressively, and vocally. This chapter offers musical examples and songs that demonstrate the progression of children’s artistry in song with children as young as five through advanced choristers. Chapter 3 presents the findings of many years of classroom research on song as it relates to both music learning and the choral art in the development of children’s artistry. It brings together research on music learning and the process of choral development to highlight the need for songs for the development of children’s artistry that compel the musical mind, prompt artistic expression, and enable vocal technique throughout childhood. It applies concepts presented in the first chapter and practices presented in the second chapter in the context of song, the vehicle for the expression of children’s artistry in both the music classroom and children’s chorus. Songs and principles presented in this chapter can also be used with older singers.