High School Choir

10 Minute Choral Warm-up 2-27-15

Objective(s):
1. Students will be able to deconstruct their bodies to promote proper alignment and
posture while singing.
2. Students will be able to relax their larynx to prepare for proper singing.
3. Students will be able to stretch their tongues to prepare for proper singing.
4. Students will visually, aurally, and physically understand proper vowel formation
and placement.
Materials:
Ubi Caritas by Ola Gjeilo
Procedures:
1. Relaxation:
a) Rag doll
- Melt slowly like a snowman
- Hang and roll head back and forth
- Lean forward and back on toes and heels
- Rise up slowly - head is the last to come up.
b) Swallow to relax the larynx
2. Deconstruct the Body - Alignment:
a) Balance bodies from the ground up
- Feet, knees, hips, thorax, arms/shoulders, head all relative to spine
3. Tongue Stretch
a) Demonstrate sticking tongue out and down slowly
b) Ask class to join
c) Repeat three times and add length each time
4. Ee, eh, ah, oh, oo:
a) Demonstrate hand signals for and sounds of each vowel
b) Slowly talk through the vowels with the class
c) Add pitch and sing with hand signals C4
d) On oo, pentatonic scale for a few chords going up
5. Connect ee, eh, ah, oh, oo to Ubi Caritas
a) Measure 1 ubi to oo - bi
b) Measure 6 unum to oo noom
c) Measure 8 amor to ah moor
d) Repeat concept for measure 13-16
Assessment:
Teacher will watch for proper rag doll formation to ensure safety and proper
relaxation. (group assessment)
Teacher will watch for proper body alignment and balance. (group assessment)
Teacher will watch for proper tongue stretch. (group assessment)
Teacher will watch for physical reinforcements of vowel placement. (group assessment)
Teacher will visually observe each student for lip movement during vowel warm-up and
connection to Ubi Caritas. (individual assessment)

Evaluation:
1. Were students able to properly execute the rag doll position?
Indicate accuracy level for class:

75-85%

86-94%

95-100%

Novice

Competent

Mastery

2. Were students able to align their bodies for proper singing?

Indicate accuracy level for class:

75-85%

86-94%

95-100%

Novice

Competent

Mastery

3. Were students able to form vowels and execute the visual/physical aid with accuracy?
Indicate accuracy level for class:

75-85%

86-94%

95-100%

Novice

Competent

Mastery

NAfME National Standards addressed:

1. Singing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.
6. Reading and notating music.
8. Understanding relationships between music, the other arts, and disciplines outside the
arts.
Resources:
Jordan, James. Evoking Sound: The Choral Warm-Up. Chicago: GIA Publications, Inc., 2005.
Print.