Submitted by Suzanne DeVene, Willard, Ohio
Idea posted June 13, 2003
I don't do many rounds when teaching beginning part singing; it seems so much harder for the students. Maybe because everyone sings the same melody and it is too easy to be swayed over to the 'other' part!
I start with ostinatos, then partner songs, then two-part choral music where the parts are a fifth or a sixth apart (It makes the individual parts easier to hear.).
Another easy song type to sing is one that has echo phrases while one group is holding out a note. One of my choir's favorite harmony songs is "Friendly Sounds" (from Music K-8, Vol. 11, No. 5). Each part - and there are several - is very catchy and singable, and they all sound great together. Plus, it's repeated about a million times, so they have lots of practice to get it right! Another favorite is "One Bottle of Pop," a medley of three partner songs.