After visiting an exciting vocal workshop for teachers in Kettering, Wendy had time to reflect on how the Clear Principle worked within the session.
Kettering station is a very calm place. It’s the sort of location which has a picture of the late station cat on the wall. It was the perfect location to reflect on Lin Marsh’s vocal workshop – that and the fact the train I needed only runs every hour.
The second Principle that really grabbed my attention during Lin’s workshop was Clear. This Principle appears to incorporate so many other areas - in order to be Clear, the leader needs to be confident and well prepared. However, flexibility in approach and material can still be achieved.
As I sat in the waiting room, I considered what tools a good vocal leader needs to demonstrate clarity. Firstly they need to be Well-informed, or the content loses its validity. The Musical Principle should also be at the centre of every singing workshop. Lin showed beautifully that being Clear can be achieved with a very gentle approach; it’s not necessarily about marching, clapping and rallying everyone.
I tried to imagine the Principles in isolation – would I be engaged in a session that was Clear even if it did not encompass other Principles? If the session wasn’t clearly Positive, Inclusive, Encouraging, Creative and Musical it would simply not have been complete. I wondered to what extent each is important: do they (and should they) all have equal weighting? Or does their importance alter depending on external constraints?
What do you think? Do you place a certain emphasis on a particular Principle? Or do you think they should all be treated equally? You thoughts would be most welcome!
5 hours after leaving the session I arrived back home. By that time I was weary, exhausted, tired of trains, aching and suffering from the effects of the heat. Was it worth it? Oh, yes. A thousand times, yes! Everyone made me feel so welcome. It was also an honour to see Lin at work and try to place her session within the framework of the Quality Principles. I learnt so much!
My next stop is London to meet the Sing Up Reference Group (or SURG for short!). They’ll be talking about the Principles. I’m really looking forward to it!
