Solfège, Sight-Singing & Vocal Technique for Choir Teachers
Saturday, October 24, 2026 | Live Online + Recording
Do your singers rely heavily on the piano?
Do you want to build stronger sight-singing skills without turning choir rehearsal into a theory class?
Are you looking for practical ways to improve vocal technique, musicianship, confidence, and independence in your ensemble?
Building Independent Singers is a live online workshop for choir directors, vocal music teachers, and music educators who want practical strategies they can begin using immediately.
Together, we’ll explore how solfège, sight-singing, and purposeful vocal technique can become a natural part of your rehearsal process — helping students become more confident singers and more independent musicians.
Registration: $79 USD
Your registration includes the live workshop, recording access, and over $75 USD worth of ready-to-use choir resources.
Practical Professional Development for Real Choir Classrooms
You don’t need to completely redesign your choir program to develop stronger musicians.
Small, intentional changes to your warm-ups, sight-singing routines, and rehearsal strategies can help singers:
- rely less on the piano
- recognize and sing musical patterns more confidently
- improve intonation and ensemble awareness
- develop healthier vocal technique
- maintain their own part more independently
- become more active participants in the rehearsal process
This workshop focuses on practical strategies that can fit into the rehearsals you’re already teaching.
What We’ll Explore
Building Solfège Into Your Rehearsal Routine
Learn simple ways to use solfège consistently without sacrificing large amounts of rehearsal time.
We’ll look at strategies for developing:
- tonal awareness
- audiation
- intonation
- pattern recognition
- part independence
- ensemble listening
Developing Stronger Sight-Singers
Sight-singing becomes much less intimidating when students have a clear sequence and familiar musical patterns to work from.
We’ll discuss practical ways to help students gradually move from imitation toward independent reading.
Using Vocal Technique With Purpose
Warm-ups should do more than simply get voices moving.
We’ll explore ways to use vocal exercises intentionally to support:
- breath and coordination
- resonance
- healthy tone
- range
- vowel consistency
- confidence and vocal independence
Putting It All Together
The goal is not to add three separate programs to your rehearsal.
It is to create a more integrated approach where vocal technique, musicianship, and repertoire reinforce one another.
Your Resources Are Included
Your registration includes a collection of classroom-ready resources that directly support the strategies explored in the workshop.
Choir Solfège Bundle
Includes Easy Solfège Warm-Ups and Solfège Canons designed to strengthen tonal awareness, intonation, audiation, and ensemble independence.
Sight-Singing Lessons 1–3
Progressive lessons designed to introduce and reinforce foundational sight-singing skills and solfège patterns.
Vocal Workouts 1–5
Guided vocal exercises designed to develop healthy technique, coordination, resonance, range, and vocal confidence.
Total Resource Value: $75 USD
You’ll receive access to these resources after registration, so you can begin exploring and using them before the workshop.
Can’t Attend Live?
No problem.
All registered participants will receive access to the workshop recording afterward.
You can attend live, watch the recording on your own schedule, or revisit the session later as you begin implementing the strategies in your classroom.
Workshop Details
Building Independent Singers: Solfège, Sight-Singing & Vocal Technique
Date: Saturday, October 24, 2026
Time: 11:00am–12:30pm Eastern Time
Format: Live online via Zoom
Registration: $79 USD
Your registration includes:
- 90-minute live online workshop
- recording access
- Choir Solfège Bundle
- Sight-Singing Lessons 1–3
- Vocal Workouts 1–5
- practical strategies you can immediately apply in rehearsal
Who This Workshop Is For
This workshop is designed for:
- secondary choir directors
- vocal music teachers
- classroom music teachers
- developing choir programs
- mixed-level ensembles
- educators who want to incorporate more musicianship into their rehearsals
- choir teachers who want singers to become less dependent on teacher modelling and the piano
Whether you’re newer to choir teaching or simply looking for fresh strategies, the goal is to give you practical ideas and resources you can begin using right away.
What Past Participants Are Saying
“Thanks again for a fabulous learning experience. The Choir Intensive was very well organized and clearly explained, with helpful visuals throughout. The bonus was the set of resources provided to help us carry the learning forward and put the strategies into practice.”
— Choir Intensive Participant
About the Instructor
I’m Shana Swain — a secondary music educator, vocalist, pianist, collaborative musician, and curriculum creator.
My teaching background includes choir, vocal music, piano, music theory, musicianship, and classroom music in both classroom and private teaching settings.
I’m passionate about helping students become well-rounded musicians — not simply singers who memorize notes, but musicians who can listen, read, respond, and sing with confidence and understanding.
- Master of Music in Voice Performance & Literature
- Bachelor of Music (Honours) & Bachelor of Education
- ARCT Piano & ARCT Voice, Royal Conservatory of Music
- Ontario secondary music teacher
- Choir director and vocal specialist
- Creator of Lessons With Shana
Looking for a Deeper Dive?
The Independent Choir Intensive Returns in July 2027
The Independent Choir Intensive is my extended professional development experience for choir directors and vocal music educators who want to go deeper into the pedagogy and systems behind building stronger, more independent ensembles.
Over multiple sessions, the Intensive explores:
- vocal pedagogy
- musicianship and sight-singing
- rehearsal structure and efficiency
- reducing piano dependence
- ensemble independence
- student leadership and ownership
- long-term choir program development
- rehearsal troubleshooting
- sustainable systems for choir teachers
The next cohort is currently being planned for July 2027.
Registration is not yet open.
Join the Waitlist
Join the waitlist to be the first to receive dates, program information, and registration details when they are announced.
Joining the waitlist does not commit you to registering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the October workshop be recorded?
Yes. All registered participants will receive access to the recording after the live session.
Do I need to attend live?
No. You’re welcome to attend live and participate, but the recording is included with your registration.
When do I receive the resources?
Your included choir resources will be sent to you by email after registration.
Is this only for experienced choir directors?
No. The workshop is appropriate for both newer and experienced choir teachers.
Is this only about solfège?
No. Solfège is one component. The workshop also focuses on sight-singing, vocal technique, musicianship, and building more independent singers.
What is the difference between this workshop and the Independent Choir Intensive?
The October workshop is a focused 90-minute session centred on solfège, sight-singing, vocal technique, and independent musicianship.
The Independent Choir Intensive is a longer, more comprehensive professional development experience that goes deeper into vocal pedagogy, rehearsal technique, musicianship, planning, ensemble culture, and building a strong choir program.
Ready to Build More Independent Singers?
Join me live on Saturday, October 24 for a practical session you can begin applying in your choir room immediately.
You’ll also receive the complete workshop resource collection to support the strategies we explore.
