Voicing

Voicing Middle School Boys (from David G. Stone)

"All sing row row row your boat. It is good because of the octave leap. I start in the key of F. You will immediately be able to tell who cannot sing the low F. Move those kids that cannot sing an F below middle C into a group. With boys that are left sing row row in the key of D and E. If they can sing the low note in E but not D pull them out into another group. Your group that can sing it in D see if they can sing row row in C. You now should have three groups. Take your group that couldn't sing a low F and move to A and B flat. If they can hit the high A and/or B flat then there are your first tenors. If they struggle with either of those keys move it down to G and see if they can sing that stronger. All those boys will still be first tenors but lets you know where all the boys in that section are.

Now your other two groups. If they can sing it in E try it in F again with that group and do it in E again. Then E flat. Here are your second tenors

The group that can sing it in D and C try it in E just to see who has some on the upper side of their range. This group is your baritones.

Don’t shy away from TTB music. They can do it and do it well."

Voicing Middle Schoolers by Millie Shiflett