How to Get Your Students to Appreciate a Song by Using Technology

I have a fear when it comes to teaching music. I fear that my students won't like or appreciate the repertoire I've prepared for them. Obviously, I want my students to like they're singing and I want them to enjoy singing it too. Overall, I want them to have a positive experience. However, it is becoming increasingly clear to me that I won't have the same taste in music as my future students will have. I mean this in terms of repertoire. As in, traditional vs. modern. It seems like I'd need to do some convincing and persuading to get them on board if they aren't thrilled about what I've picked. Plus, I don't want to be the stereotypical choir director and be like "You will sing it and you will like it!" No, I will value their input and only put my foot down when necessary. So how do I do convince and persuade? I'd use our wonderful friend technology!

It is inevitable that musicians will be given music they don't care for and are required to perform either for a grade or money. I've been down that road before plenty of times. But before even singing it or practicing it, I've listened to the songs or pieces. I use YouTube or Spotify. I'd research and look for different recordings, videos, or performances to help me get an objective feel of the piece. It really helps listening or seeing someone perform to serve as a demonstration. After listening and watching, I'd take my sheet music and read along with the recordings in a subjective way. Finally, I'll hum or quietly sing with the recording to help me begin the process of actively practicing the piece. With this strategy, one should have found the motivation and possibly the appreciation to perform whatever it is they're doing. I know this from my own experience and this strategy works.

I mention this strategy because it's something that I'll encourage all of my future students to do if they have trouble getting behind a song I have chosen for the next concert. I will even play a recording off of YouTube or Spotify for the choir at school or share a video through Twitter to listen to when they're home. I feel it's a lack of exposure or knowledge in certain genres of music that leads to the apprehensiveness to sing a song they might not care for. But through this strategy, a student can be exposed to a whole new genre of music that they fall in love with. If that happens, I know I did my work.