Changing the Choral Landscape
The Choral Literacies and Skills rubric is a ground-breaking document for choral music educators. Grade-based rubrics such as these have been foundational elements in the development of bands and orchestras for decades, but heretofore were non-existent in the choral world. Choirs differ from instrumental groups in that singers come and go from ensembles, do not start “on their instrument” at the same time, and for the most part do not take lessons, so it was necessary to develop a Level-Based, rather than a grade-based Rubric.
The Rubric consists of twelve areas of literacy, only two of which deal what the traditional elements of music literacy, that is music reading. The descriptors on the rubric are written as Mileposts and Markers of development, and describe what literacy looks and sounds like for ideal choir at every level of development.
This site will direct you to information and resources to bring your choir and your teaching to the leading edge of the choral art.