Considerations of Lateral and Vertical Conducting Gestures in Evoking Efficient Choral Sound

Authors

  • Melissa L. Grady The University of Kansas

Abstract

A brief internet search for pictures of choral conductors will return a cornucopia of often very humorous results. Conductor arms are shown contorted into a huge variety of positions, from high to low, close to the body and reaching out, a multitude of hand shapes, and bodies that are relaxed or full of tension. These images lead us to ask a very important question: What does a nonverbal conductor gesture really do to the sound of the choir and the efficiency of singers’ output? Choral conductors have often looked for the most efficient ways to produce their desired choral sound. Textbooks on conducting and research available in the realm reveal a multitude of positions on the most effective means of producing desired choral sound. An effective nonverbal gesture could show what the conductor intended in an instant rather than using seconds or minutes of valuable rehearsal time in a verbal explanation. The present investigation analyzed trends in conducting textbooks and current conducting gesture research including three studies by the author specifically focused on lateral and vertical conducting gestures. This exploration sought to show the status of current research is in terms of nonverbal conductor gestures, analyze the trends in the research, and discuss future directions for research in nonverbal conducting gestures.

Author Biography

Melissa L. Grady, The University of Kansas

Melissa L. Grady graduated from Wichita State University with her undergraduate degree in music education and also holds a MEd with an emphasis in choral conducting. During her eleven year public school teaching career, Melissa has taught at all levels of music education; elementary general music, middle school choir and high school choir. She is a member of NAfME and ACDA. Melissa is in her last year as a student pursuing her PhD in choral pedagogy at the University of Kansas. She is a Graduate Teaching Assistant, teaching undergraduate courses in Choral Conducting, Secondary Choral Methods, Adolescent Changing Voice and conducting one of the University’s choirs. Research presentations include the 2012 and 2013 Annual Voice Foundation Symposiums, 2012 Biennial Music Educators National Conference, and the 6th International Conference on the Physiology and Acoustics of Singing. She has been published in the International Journal of Research in Choral Singing. Melissa is currently pursuing a PhD in choral pedagogy at the University of Kansas where she is a Graduate Teaching Assistant, teaching undergraduate courses in Choral Conducting, Secondary Choral Methods, and conducting one of the university’s choirs. Melissa’s research interests are effects of choral conducting gestures on choir sound, hearing dosage and hearing conservation in choir contexts, and choir spacing. She has been published in the International Journal of Research in Choral Singing. Refereed research presentations to date include the Eighth International Phenomenon of Singing Symposium, the 2012 Biennial Music Educators National Conference, the Kansas Music Educators’ Conference, and the 6th International Conference on the Physiology and Acoustics of Singing.

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Published

2014-01-30