The Fun Times Singers is not only dedicated to the enjoyment
of group singing, but also to improving every member's skills in the art of
choral singing. Singing, like any hobby or occupation, becomes more enjoyable
when there is the challenge to grow one's understanding and capabilities in the
art.
Here are some links to resources that have been created by others who enjoy singing
and teaching choral techniques.
General Singing Information
SaveTheMusic.org references to music education resources
Introduction to Sight Singing
A good list of common tunes that demonstrate the various music intervals
used in choral singing.
Video: Enunciation and Shaping Words for Singers
SaveTheMusic.org references to music education resources
Music Score Reading
These links are specifically chosen to help the new singer become familiar with
the most important part of choral singing, i.e singing the same pitches at the same time
as the other members of your section.
Choral singing, unlike solo improvisation, relies on all singers in the section
producing a unified sound.
The choral score is fundamental contract of your section, so it is important
to know how to read this document.
Great Intro video - only 6 minutes
Best intro video for reading a score
Goes through the basics of reading a choir score
Great simple video about how to read the notes and how they correspond to the piano notes
Good supplemental video to the one above, mentions octaves and if someone likes the acronyms it has it here.
Good video about notes, rests and how to count them
Video about how to clap different easy rhythms
Very simple video showing what each note means and what they look like (whole note - sixteenth note)
Video about time signatures and how to count them
Video about dynamics
Differences between solo singing and singing with a choir
Singer Assistance
If you are finding it difficult to follow the music, be sure to ask for assistance.
There are many members who are more than willing to share their experience with new singers
to help them understand and enjoy their choral singing endeavor.
As we find more websites with information useful to the Fun Times Singers, we will
add the links to this page. Let us know if you have found websites with good
training information to add here.