Secondary Choral Development Track

choir

American Heritage Choir, Utah

“Teach music and singing at school in such a way that it is not a torture, but a joy for the pupil; instill a thirst for finer music in him, a thirst which will last for a lifetime”
—Zoltan Kodály

The Kodály Vision for Choirs

Zoltán Kodály believed that joyful, meaningful music-making develops when students sing, listen, and learn in ways that cultivate both the heart and the mind. His vision calls for highly trained teachers who nurture musical independence, literacy, and artistry in every student.

The InterMuse Secondary Choral Track is designed specifically for Middle School, Junior High, and High School choral educators who want to build comprehensive musicianship and literacy into the choral classroom.

Core Philosophy

1. Singing as the Foundation
Singing is the universal instrument and the primary means of musical expression. Vocal pedagogy and healthy singing are essential for both teachers and students. A cappella singing develops intonation, musicianship, and independence — vital skills for every choir.

2. High-Quality Repertoire
Artistry grows from great music. Kodály-inspired teaching uses authentic folksongs, masterworks, and well-crafted choral literature to nurture a love of fine music. Such repertoire demands thoughtful, sequential teaching and a well-prepared teacher.

3. Musicianship of the Individual
Each singer’s musicianship contributes to the ensemble’s success. Tools such as rhythm syllables, movable-do solfa, Curwen hand signs, tone ladders, vocal exercises, staff notation, sight-singing, and part-singing develop independent, literate musicians.

4. Sequential, Experiential Learning
Kodály’s approach is discovery-based and experiential. It builds lasting musicianship through active engagement, guided discovery, and careful sequencing. Teachers are trained in lesson planning, sequencing, facilitation, and classroom leadership.

Course of Study

Over three summers, participants study a curriculum developed by Matt Thornton, grounded in the work of Dr. Jerry L. Jaccard, Lois Choksy, and others. The course includes:

  • Comprehensive music literacy assessments for secondary choirs
  • Rehearsal techniques and choral management strategies
  • Vocal pedagogy and warm-up design
  • Sequencing and lesson planning for adolescent singers
  • ​Musicianship development through a Kodály lens

Secondary Choral Track participants also enroll in the core InterMuse courses — Kodály Pedagogy, Sol-fa, and Conducting. These provide essential depth to personal musicianship and understanding of the Kodály vision.

Results

“The three summers I spent at InterMuse brought results. My students are more musically literate and they sing from the heart.”
— Ben Peterson

Graduates of this track return to their classrooms equipped to teach with artistry, structure, and confidence — empowering students to become independent, expressive, and musically literate singers.