CHORAL SPEAKING There are broadly 4 different ways in which choral poems can be presented:(i) (ii) (iii) Refrain

The leaders say the bulk of the poem, rest of the group help him/her to say the refrain only. Line-a-child- (group). Each of the lines/couplets may be spoken by a specified pupil or a small group. Then, each pupil or group says its line. Antiphonal two groups of pupils take turns speaking in either a) Question Answer arrangement b) Conversational exchange c) Contrasting type of situation Antiphonal speaking can be used in solos, duets and whole groups to give variety to the verse(s). Unison all the voices speak together.

(iv)

Techniques 1. Simple Repetition Read each line and asks the class to repeat after your pronunciation/stress/intonation. 2. Two-part Dialogues question answer or verse and refrain format. 3. Different group speaking in parts example: Row A, Row B, Row C, High voice/Middle voice/Low voice/ Solo voices/All Different rows/groups 4. Different groups speaking in parts with Echoes: Rhythm or rhyme schemes can be easily echoed by repeating the final rhyming word/phrase. 5. Different groups or Individual Reading lines in succession Each taking one line/phrase at a time. Elements of Choral Speaking (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) (vi) (vii) (viii) Number of voices increase/decrease sound or volume express meaning of the text Pitch highness/lowness of a sound (inflection) Tempo speed/rhythm Dynamics to create mood, emotion and meaning. Tone light/medium/dark (heavy) Movement minimal movement Rhythm patterns of sound short, medium, long repetitions. Staging organizing the group on stage. (sight lines) - entrance/exit stance/bearing - general demeanour

Note: Teams DO NOT state /tell where (which school) they are from. Timing starts at the first utterance. Facial expressions : eyebrows, eyes, mouth. Gestures : waist up Left, Right, Front, Back. Head and shoulder nod, roll, up, down Attire : no ties, no bows, no blazers. Strictly school uniform. Conductor can wear gloves (white). Words : local words accepted , e.g. nasi lemak / roti canai Sounds : imitation of sounds, e.g. traffic, animals, objects. SATB voice soprano / alto / tenor / bass

Strictly NOT allowed 1. Conductor cues - snapping fingers - clapping hands - stamping feet - squatting / marching GESTURES with FINGERS (WITHOUT SOUND) 2. Singing (not even a word) 3. Aided sound effects bell, triangle, horn, whistle 4. Props and costumes Choice of poem 1. Choose something contemporary / modern that has audience appeal. 2. With alliterations and onomatopoeia, e.g. a bee buzzes, a duck quacks, lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore. 3. With variety of moods happy / sad / angry / fear / anxiety, etc. 4. Easy to comprehend listen understand - listen interpret understand 5. Avoid overused poems (because too familiar) - archaic words, complex or bombastic vocabulary, hard to pronounce, hard to understand.