Choral PDLC
About the New Choral PDLC
The Choral Certification Program is based on the application of Music Learning Theory and preparatory audiation to beginning and advanced choir instruction.
Using Music Learning Theory, students simultaneously learn two instruments—the audiation instrument (the instrument in the mind) and their vocal instrument. Like all other instrumental PDLCs, the choir courses focus on audiation development so that choral and vocal performance becomes an extension of the student’s audiation.

Course
Choral, Level 1
Course Description
Choral PDLCs consist of three parts: 1) Musicianship wherein participants work on their own tonal and rhythmic skills, 2) the study of Music Learning Theory and 3) the practical application of that theory into their practice as choral educators.
During the practical application section of the course, teachers learn rehearsal techniques for how to teach choir using an audiation approach. Instruction includes the following:
1) how to develop and connect the audiation instrument to the vocal instrument,
2) how to teach and assess tonal and rhythm patterns in a choral setting,
3) how to perform and create through improvisation in ensemble settings,
4) how to make generalizations about music (both from an audiation and notation perspective) so students can become their own teachers
5) how to apply MLT to the teaching of reading music notation with understanding.
Course Outcomes
Participants will:
Course Content
Required Materials
Suggested Materials
Pre-Requisites
Participants should be familiar with the songs, tonal patterns (neutral syllable and solfege), and rhythm patterns (neutral syllable and rhythm syllables) available on the Tonal and Rhythm Skills Development CD, (Grunow, R. F., Gordon, E. E., & Azzara, C. D., (2010) Chicago: GIA. For a richer experience, participants should read Learning Sequences in Music: A Contemporary Music Learning Theory before attending the workshop.