When choral directors plan a rehearsal, improvisation is probably not foremost in their thoughts. Actually, improvisation as part of the choral curriculum exists mostly as an anomaly even though many teachers and students wish they possessed that ability. This session will define the word improvisation, describe its benefits in a choral setting, and give clear, specific procedures for learning to improvise.
Greg LeFils is director of choral activities at Seabreeze High School in Daytona Beach, Florida, where he directs three large choral ensembles as well as the resident American Musical Theatre program. His choirs have received numerous invitations to perform for Walt Disney World’s Christmas Candlelight Processional and have consistently performed for state festival. A consummate recruiter, choral programs under his direction have more than tripled in five years. His music degrees include the BME from Stetson University, the MM in choral conducting from Texas Tech University and the PhD in music education from Florida State University.