My Musical Musings Blog | betsyleebaileymusic.com - The Music of Betsy Lee Bailey

Getting the Kids to Really Sing in Primary

1/30/2023

Games, Motions, Choosing Time, Visual Aids, and Flip Charts are just tools to use in Primary SINGING Time. They provide variety and can be good teaching aids, but in and of themselves do not ensure that the children learn to SING.

Inspiring active, involved, in-tune and beautiful singing can be elusive for many Primary Music Leaders. It doesn't just happen as a natural result of lots of FUN and GAMES.

Children need to hear and watch good singing MODELED for them. And they need FEEDBACK to help them figure out how they make their own voices work.

Following a Music Leader who can DEMONSTRATE good singing is crucial. Most young children do not have opportunities in their families or at school to learn how to sing. They may be surrounded by recorded music and singing, but few children naturally respond to recorded music they way they do with someone singing with them LIVE.

One of my grandsons was born with an unusually low voice. He had trouble singing in anything beyond a monotone. For the past year, I have been teaching him piano lessons. As an eight year old now, he has been progressing through his piano lessons, but I wondered if I could also help him find his singing voice.

At each lesson, we sing the little songs as he learns to play them. Little by little, he has been learning to hear and match pitches with his voice. It helps him to look at the RELATIONSHIPS between steps and skips on the written music and how his fingers manage the distances on the keys. We have worked with his voice the same way exploring how to adjust his BREATHING, SUPPORT, and MOUTH POSITIONS to match the changing pitches. He has my voice to model as well as my feedback to tell him when he is correct. These exercises have really helped. Now he can actually sing in the Treble Clef! He is also doing very well at vocally matching pitches on his own. He just needed someone to help him discover his own singing voice.

I am certain that many children need help finding their own singing voices. They need help figuring out how to match pitches and support their tone. They need a good example to follow to learn good tone quality. Having a ROLE MODEL who loves singing and sings well can also help children learn to enjoy singing.

The Music Leader in Primary needs to really LISTEN to the children and and WATCH how they are participating. They should always take time to assess their teaching methods to EVALUATE if they are working. How else will they know if they are truly getting the kids to SING in Primary?

Camelot

1/25/2023

Whittier Stake Center on Mulberry Lane

When my husband and I were first married, we moved from college life in Utah to his home town in Whittier, California. Ellis had tried to explain that the people in the Stake where he grew up were my "people." I just smiled and nodded, but didn't really believe him.

He had said that there were some tremendously talented musical people in the Whittier 7th Ward and that I would instantly love them. They were always doing big events like Roadshows, Dance Festivals, full-scale Musicals, and other programs at the drop of a hat. In fact, their Roadshows were known to win "All Church" honors and be presented at June Conference in Salt Lake City.

Betsy and Ellis Bailey 1978

I confess that I listened to Ellis talk and found what he said very hard to believe. But it wasn't long before I learned that what he told me was absolutely true! From the first time I met Joan Haskins, Marylyn Thorn, Joan Ostler, Joyce Nuttall and many others, I was duly impressed. Soon, they had me singing for any and all events. Who knew that Wards even had monthly Elegant Dinners, Talent Shows, dances and other get-togethers? And the ward choir was huge --- easily 40+ people. Who could resist coming to rehearsals when the reward was Joan Haskins' homemade pancakes?

These were indeed my "people." Those were the days when the Church provided much of its own "culture." We were encouraged to do many activities in Music, Drama, Art, Dance, and Sports. In fact, these kinds of activities were outlined by the General Board of the Mutual Improvement Association (MIA) for the Youth. My growing up years in the Church were filled with lots of glittery, sparkly events. Everywhere we lived (many places across the country) my mother made sure that these Church-sponsored events were done "to the nines." The people in Ellis' ward growing up did the same -- maybe even more so since there were simply more like-minded folks.

Apparently, those years of the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s were very special to a lot of the Whittier locals. So special and unique, they called it Camelot --- a time and place most people only dream about. It truly was a special time, a time probably never to be repeated. So glad I was privileged to be part of at least some of those good times!

When and How to Use Wiggle Songs in Primary

1/16/2023

Wiggle Songs can be any activities that provide relief in Music Time.

Question: "When should I use a wiggle song?

Answer: "Whenever the children need it!

It is useful to remember that the children in Primary come in all abilities and all ages -- from 11 down to barely 3 years old. Sometimes the Seniors outnumber the Juniors or vice versa. The older children may be able to pay attention for longer stints, but remember that the little ones probably can't even read yet and to them EVERYTHING IS NEW and different. The last thing they can handle is more sitting still while people are just talking.

January is the beginning of a new year, and that, for most Wards, means a TIME CHANGE. After sitting in Sacrament Meeting for one hour, the children are likely going to be fidgety, especially the very young ones. The new schedule may be spanning lunch time or nap time, too, which complicates things. Younger children have a hard time adjusting to new rhythms in their day.

This is precisely why Wiggle Songs are so important. As valuable as doing movements during a song are, they aren't as laser-targeted as Wiggle Songs can be. Most of the Wiggle songs in the Children's Songbook start with movements but end with calming down. Many times using scarves, ribbon wands, hand signs, marching, rhythm sticks, shakers, or clapping can actually heighten the "free for all" to a fever pitch! It is very hard to regain control once you've lost it.

Leading by Example - Be sure that you practice doing the Wiggle activity or song that you intend to use. Use your hands and facial expressions as well as your whole body just like you expect the children to do. You can't be looking at sheet music!

A few of my favorite "go to's" from the CSB are "My Hands" 273, "Oh, How We Love to Stand" 279, and "Hinges" 277. I usually sing them unaccompanied so I can vary the Tempo. I often go faster and slower in places or even put in complete stops. That way I am training the children to watch me for Tempo, Breathing, Facial Expressions, and Physical Movements - including any "freeze" pauses.

Maintaining Eye Contact - Memorize the words and music! That way you can keep your eyes on the children. How else can you really judge how they are participating and how effective your teaching methods are?

Read the Room - Even the older children will give you signs that they are bored or just "checking out." You can bring them back by doing a quick BREATHING EXERCISE or a FULL BODY SHAKE. Better yet, plan VARIETY into your teaching methods from the get go. Change things up every few minutes.

Magic 7 Rule - To the very young children in Primary, every song is new. They likely cannot read or even understand most of the words to the songs. They cannot be expected to catch on to the melody and lyrics (let alone to doctrinal meanings) from just experiencing them one or two times through. Let your goal be to introduce and review the songs 7 times in various ways (and in fairly close succession) before expecting the children to start participating. Be sure to SING MORE and TALK LESS!

The key is to use a wiggle song or activity in quick, surgical strikes. A few seconds change of pace is all you need to provide relief and regain the children's attention. Then you can go back to teaching whatever you had planned.

Wiggle Songs are your FRIENDS!

The Curse of "Back Seat Drivers" in Primary

1/10/2023

Let's face it --- standing in front of a room of people is intimidating enough without "back seat drivers" trying to show or tell you what to do ---on the spot.

I read a heartbreaking post the other day about a new Primary Music Leader who kept getting reactions from teachers in the Primary who kept correcting her. They sometimes tried to help her get back on track with her conducting patterns, or they came up afterwards with a whole bunch of criticisms and suggestions.

It sounds like this poor novice leader could have benefitted by some inservice training --- something that is rarely offered any more.

To that "newbie" --- DON'T PAY ATTENTION TO THOSE "BACK SEAT DRIVERS!"

If you already like to SING, start there. FORGET ABOUT BEAT PATTERNS. Instead, focus on MEMORIZING THE SONGS BEFORE YOU TRY TO LEAD THEM. All you really need to do is TAKE A BREATH in rhythm before you start singing. The BREATH is the CUE.

Work with the PIANIST, especially if she or he is competent. Let him or her set the TEMPO and help you work out the CUES.

Practice feeling the RHYTHM and tapping the BEATS. Have the Pianist help you learn to move your hand up and down in PREPARATION CUES going UP and strong BEATS going DOWN. Don't worry about memorizing Beat Patterns yet. You can do very well just directing the words by stressing important syllables with DOWNBEATS. You want to concentrate on "pulling FOCUS" toward your face so the children can read your lips and imitate your facial expressions and follow how you MODEL the singing.

The important thing is to maintain EYE CONTACT with the children, rely on your memorization, and sing out. They will follow you if you draw them in. You need to ACT as if what you are doing is the absolute right thing in the moment (no matter what anyone else thinks).

Although you probably won't be whistling, this is great advice:

Whenever I feel afraid, I hold my head erect,
And whistle a happy tune so no one will suspect I'm afraid.
While shivering in my shoes I strike a careless pose
And whistle a happy tune and no one ever knows I'm afraid.
The result of this deception is very strange to tell
For when I fool the people I fear, I fool myself as well.
I whistle a happy tune and ev'ry single time
The happiness in the tune convinces me that I'm not afraid.
Make believe you're brave and the trick will take you far.
You may be as brave as you make believe you are. (whistle)
You may be as brave as you make believe you are
("Whistle a Happy Tune" from "The King and I" by Rodgers and Hammerstein)

Many times I have had to ACT braver than I really was. That's when you have to TRUST in what you've practiced.

You could also skip the whole "conducting" bit if you hold VISUAL AIDS and are busy pointing out pictures, or words, or doing MOVEMENTS like using scarves or shakers. Once again, it's taking the BREATH combined with NODDING your HEAD that is the CUE.

There will always be people who think they know your job better than you do. The trick is to develop your own STYLE. The children won't understand the finer points of choral conducting, so they won't be critical. They respond best when they know you LOVE them, know their NAMES, and have something interesting for them to do.

So don't let those "back seat drivers" rattle you!

Conducting Singing for Primary

1/9/2023

Often, I am asked what it takes to be a good Music Leader in Primary.

"I don't play the piano. I don't have a great solo voice. I don't really know anything about leading music, but I guess I do like to sing. How can I do this calling?"

Well, let's discuss first things first. The good news is that you like to sing. With that as a starting point, you can grow your skills to become an effective Music Leader in Primary. I would say that enjoying singing and loving the children are the most important parts of the calling. Other skills can be taught and mastered over time.

Teaching the Music in Primary is mostly a DEMONSTRATION activity. You don't necessarily need a trained solo voice in order to do the calling, but it helps if you can develop CONFIDENCE IN YOUR SINGING. PRACTICE your own singing. Learn what you can about BREATHING and POSTURE so that you can MODEL those things for the children.  Memorize the songs you are to teach. Sing with the proper FEELING and INTERPRETATION. Not every song should be sung the same way. Help the children find their own voices and variations in TONE and DYNAMICS. Help them learn to invite the SPIRIT as they sing.

Remember that your music period is SINGING TIME. That means that your teaching should involve actual SINGING for most of the minutes. Out of the 20-25 minutes, the children should be singing and experiencing music in many ways for most of the time. When PLANNING, be sure to do more singing than talking.

Most of the Primary songs in the Children's Songbook are between 30-60 seconds per verse. If you plan to sing four songs each week two times through each that only takes 6-8 minutes of your time. Imagine if in your teaching and reviewing, you do little activities where you do your "explaining" mostly by using singing and musical activities that support the singing. You could involve the children in more and better singing! You may even get so you sing 4-6 songs --- and a bigger variety of songs --- several times through each week.

Practice so that you feel confident DEMONSTRATING the melody and lyrics as you teach the songs. Sing part of a phrase yourself. Have the children sing it back to you. Do a few phrases, then review those few. (The pianist is the best tool in your tool belt. Have the pianist help you. However, you will need to plan your strategy so that the pianist knows how to support you!)

"But I'm an Alto! I can't sing as high as those songs are in the Primary Songbook." Well, you can and you should!

The Primary songs were not pitched for your benefit --- they were carefully pitched for the children's benefit. It is generally accepted that a child's range is about 1 octave from Middle C up to Treble C. Children need to learn to sing in their HEAD REGISTERS (light, high voices) in order to be able to HEAR and MATCH PITCHES! That's part of your job --- to help them sing in tune and ENJOY IT!

Conquering your own fears about singing alone in front of people is the first step to tackling this calling. That and learning to TEACH THROUGH SINGING! But you can do it! So GO AND DO!

Clever Conducting Cues and Clues

1/6/2023

January begins the Ward Conference gauntlet for Stake Music Coordinators. Sometimes they also need to arm themselves with ideas of how to help the Church Musicians in the various wards they go to visit. Working with the Ward counterparts on how to grow Conducting skills is usually high on that list. Here is a repost from 2014 about Conducting Cues and Clues.

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Once upon a time, I taught a lot of conducting workshops to budding church musicians. We used a handbook that had a section on conducting styles with comical descriptions of incorrect methods.

The cartoon caricatures (from the old LDS Conducting Manual put together by Ralph Woodward) were delicious - Flamboyant Flossie, Tremulous Thomas, Stolid Stephan, Amiable Annie and Down-the-Line Dorothy. Each of these characters demonstrated how "clueless" these put-upon conductors were. Obviously, most of these characters were thrown into the opportunity to conduct music with very little training or experience.

Where Flamboyant Flossie thought that she needed big, showy motions to direct the singing, Tremulous Thomas barely moved a muscle beyond the shivering in his bones from stage fright. Stolid Stephan could keep the beat but nothing more, and Amiable Annie kept the same sweet facial expressions no matter the pathos of the song. Then, there's Down-the Line-Dorothy who was so intent on following the music that she never took her eyes up, out of the score.

Obviously, a good conductor must keep a good solid beat. And, yes, there are times when a conductor will use big, showy motions. It goes without saying that he will pay close attention to the score. Hopefully, he won't be shaking in his boots from stage fright. But one of the most important jobs of the conductor is to give expressive facial clues to help the performers know how to emote and create a good performance.  Conducting is all about giving easy to follow cues and clues.

As I have studied what good conductors do, I have noticed the vast repertoire of CUES and CLUES they use to get the job done. Facial expressions are easily the most fun to remember such as:

The "Look Alive, People!" face -- the conductor holds his fingers up at his eyebrows indicating you may need toothpicks to keep your eyes open to look engaged.

The "Evil Eye"-- indicating that there are certain singers in your section allowing their voices to come out of the fabric of the dynamic.

The "Stinky Diaper" face -- indicating that the passage just sung was terribly out of tune, SO FIX IT!!!!!!!!

The "Come On, Everybody, Let's Do This" face -- indicating his great expectations of the singers with just a twinge of anxiety. This face is usually employed just before the beginning of the first downbeat of the first number.

The "Good Job, You Finally Did It" face -- Oftentimes employed in conjunction with a thumbs up, indicating a satisfied conductor.

Other interesting CUES and CLUES include:
1. The sudden, intense tapping on the chest to indicate the correct TEMPO.
2. The index finger pointing up, up, up bidding the singers not to sing FLAT.
3. The sudden grabbing of the cheeks to thrust the lips FORWARD (creating
fish lips) hoping to quickly better the vowel sound.
4. The frantic arching of the hands and arms in the "I'm a Little Teapot"
stance to urge the singers towards a more perfect placement of the tone.
5. The conductor holds his arms still with palms flat in the STOP! pose
indicating that "nobody had better move or even breathe until I give the
RELEASE."

Conductors are fascinating to watch. To the untrained eye, their motions may seem clueless and even comical, but to the trained choral singer, all of those idiosyncrasies are full of deep meaning and have power to build great performances. We performers depend on those quirky CUES and CLUES!

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With Ward Conferences in January - March, the Ward Choir Directors may need choir pieces that are quick and easy to put together. Hymn Arrangements for Easy 2-Part Mixed Chorus may be just the ticket when there is little to no time to prepare!

Endings and Beginnings

12/31/2022

Most people I know try to take a bit of time at the end of each year to take stock of the passing year and make goals for the future. Some years lately have gone along without much of a plan on my part. Instead of sitting in the driver's seat, I have felt like more of a passenger or someone being dragged along! In fact, it has been difficult to keep up!

Peter learning about tornados and lightning -- Peter is a TORNADO!!!

2022 started with a bang! Cami and Morgan and their two adorable toddlers moved in with me. Their plan was to trade turns who would commute for school or work during the last two years of Morgan's college. 2022 was to be Cami's turn to commute to work in Salt Lake City while Morgan attended classes at UVU in Orem. Then they would switch in 2023 by moving back to Salt Lake. But the situation changed. The Day Care plan didn't work out, so they decided to stay on living with me for at least one more semester. (Lucky for me, but hard on Cami.)
Oldest granddaughter Makayla also came to live with us while she goes to BYU, at least until June when she plans on serving a mission. So, 2022 has been quite busy with a growing household.

Looking back, I am amazed that I was even able to accomplish a few goals. I had hoped to be able to do a Summer Theater Camp in 2022, and it happened. Yay! (Getting back to doing Theater after COVID has been a struggle!) This was also the year that five grandchildren turned 8 and got baptized. I promised Ellis that I would attend every grandchild's Baptism. So far this year, I have been to four of those baptisms -- 2 local and 2 on either coast. The fifth one happens next week! Thirdly, I was able to finish another Picture Book to give out as Christmas gifts. This was a story about my mother's mother Lora Harmon Thompson. I asked if any of my cousins would like to have that story book, too. Many of them did, so I had the printer do an extra large print batch. Hope they liked it

Other random accomplishments for this year have been attending the Washington D.C. Temple Open House and Dedication and getting some landscaping done to clean up our back yard and fix the sprinklers. Mitchell graduated from his second Police Academy. I also signed up for some workshops on marketing and networking. Maybe someday I will figure out using technology.

I also got to see some Broadway shows, beautiful scenery, and enjoy visiting family!

Things to look forward to in 2023 -
1. Writing a new Picture Book
2. Rebuilding my websites and boosting the marketing for my Children's Musicals
3. Writing some new choral works.
4. Having a Family Reunion and also welcoming grand baby #26 in June.
5. Doing another Summer Theater Camp (and possibly writing a new show).
6. Moving up from being the Nursery Leader to teaching granddaughter Camilla Joy in Sunbeams.
7. Sending off another missionary grandchild and welcoming one back.

Happy New Year 2023, One and All!

Christmas Messiah-Sing with SOGO

12/23/2022

Singing Handel's "Messiah" oratorio is quite the Christmas tradition in our family. We have tried to attend local "Messiah-Sing" concerts together whenever we can. And sometimes we just get together as a family and sing our favorite selections. (Our problem is that we don't like to skip any of the solos or choruses, so we end up doing most every number even though it takes several hours!)

This year, I got to attend a "Messiah-Sing" concert with my grandson Noah Cornwall's SOGO Academy orchestra playing for us. We went to the Washington Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Olympia for this concert. The Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia (SOGO) advanced group accompanied the concert. My grandson plays the Viola and was pretty much hidden from my view during the concert. But, he was there right behind the conductor!

My brother Ben Lee (Tenor), my daughter Carolyn (Alto), her daughter Heidi (still deciding), and I (Soprano) sat together in the Tenor section. That was rather fun holding our own parts in amongst the Tenor singers. (We wanted to sit together!) It wasn't too hard for me because I basically had those few choruses they did memorized. But poor Heidi, age 13, had barely been exposed to singing "Messiah" before. So she was basically sight-singing or just listening trying to follow along. (No easy feat!) We had a great time singing together six of the most famous choruses and listening to four of the most popular solos. The concert was just one hour long.

The kids in the orchestra did a very good job. I was impressed by how SOGO operates. They practice and learn as a group, of course, but they also have experienced "Artists in Residence" interspersed to help them during rehearsals as well as the performance. (In the picture you can just see a few of the older players.) What a great experience for the students. I was so glad I was able to attend!

Fun Christmas Concerts

12/17/2022

We have been needing snow, wanting snow, praying for snow, but now that it is here, we are intimidated by it. The snow we have gotten has been slick and dangerous! The little kids have wanted to build a snowman up to the sky, but the snow just doesn't hold together. And driving in it is quite scary. But, all in all, we are not complaining. We just wish we could stay home in our nice warm house!

But, this has been a week of going to see concerts. So I have trusted in my snow tires and new windshield wipers to take me safely to see my brother, my sister, and my children and grandchildren in their concerts.

Camilla Joy, Peter and I went to watch the Tuba Christmas at the Gateway Mall's Olympic Fountain last Saturday. Their mom Cami and cousin Makayla were playing in it. The concert was fun, but very cold. Peter was done with the concert after about three songs. Then he wanted to get off my lap and go throw snowballs like the other kids. He fought me until he was free enough to reach the little snow patch near us. Yes, he threw snow and ice chunks for the rest of the the concert.

Although I couldn't fit all of the possible concerts into my schedule, I did go to see Elementary School "Christmas Sing" concerts, a High School Band concert, the local Timpanogos Symphony Orchestra concert, and the Tabernacle Choir Concert.

We even had our own family Messiah-Sing at my brother Bob's house. Tomorrow I fly to Seattle area to attend another Messiah-Sing concert where my grandson will be playing in the Community Orchestra.

Hopefully, the snow will not be an issue when I fly back home just before Christmas!

Janie Shows

12/4/2022

Janie Thompson, entertainer about 1960

When I was growing up, I was privileged to watch how my aunt Janie Thompson operated. She put together many Christmas shows and concerts. Even her Ward's Christmas parties were something extra special. I was very young when I started to understand that when Janie did a show it was magical! I figured this out when I went to other events that were far inferior. Even as young as I was, I knew something was missing. My mother took 4-year-old me aside and tried to explain that not everyone had the talent to do what Janie did.

So, what made Janie's shows so extraordinary? Well, the first thing was the music. She could take regular people from her ward and train them to do awesome performances. She would size up their natural abilities and then create special arrangements to magnify their gifts. For example, she might give them a song but then change the key to suit their vocal ranges and, of course, dress up the accompaniment so that they would sound awesome.

But her training wouldn't stop there. She worked with them so that they could show personality and sparkle as they performed. She even taught them choreography and helped them with costumes so they looked coordinated and sharp.

Janie's job was to produce shows and touring groups for BYU. Through the 1950s-1970s, Janie Thompson organized shows that performed in places all over the world. Her most famous groups were the Young Ambassadors and the Lamanite Generation (now know as the Living Legends).

I have a memory from when I was still four years old. Janie asked me and two other kids to sing in her Christmas shows. We started working on our training in September. Tanya and Cory were older than me, so Janie figured I would sing the melody and they would sing trio harmony. But really what happened was I learned harmony parts, too.

We would go to her office on BYU campus and stand around her piano. She pulled me up close to the keyboard. It was right at my eye level. She told me to watch her little finger and sing those notes. So I did. One of the first songs we learned was "The Christmas Alphabet." This was a Christmas song made popular by the McGuire Sisters in the 1940s. We sang while the BYU Program Bureau students danced behind us.

From then on, we got to be on many of Janie's shows, mostly the holiday shows when fewer of her BYU students were available. We sang for anybody, anywhere, anytime. I remember singing in fancy private homes, schools, community halls, office buildings, church gymnasiums, theaters, basketball courts, football stadiums, and even the elegant Ballroom at the old Hotel Utah.

Those were magical times. No wonder, I have a hard time watching shows that don't have anything even close to the Janie touch!

"The Christmas Alphabet" is such a fun song. Here are two arrangements, one for 2-Part Children's Chorus and the other for Children and SATB. We sang it on a Family Show in the Festival of Lights at the Temple Visitor's Center in Washington D.C. in 2006.

The Music of Betsy Lee Bailey copyright 2020