SIGHT-SINGING: that elusive skill that seems impossible to gain in the choral rehearsal, alone!
Do you sing, and wish you could read music with greater facility? A meta-analysis of ~90 studies indicates that strong sight-readers are not BORN, but are MADE - in other words, you can become a strong sight-reader with the proper training and diligent practice. You don't need some mystical, inner gift! Just 15 minutes a day is all it takes to rapidly grow your sight-singing skills! (http://www.bulletproofmusician.com/are-great-sight-readers-born-or-made/ for discussion by Juilliard faculty member.)
Do this for yourself today. You can solidly develop these skills and they will provide enjoyment and confidence for a lifetime! Learning to sight-read with solfège (do, re, mi, etc.) also improves intonation (tuning) so that you add to the resonance and ringing sound of your choir, or you can sing a solo without making people wince from poor tuning issues!
Instruction provided in note- and rhythm-reading, solfège with moveable "do" and the Curwen hand signs, dictation, ear-training, multi-part singing when ready, and note-reading, as well as musical symbols commonly used in notation. Sharps, flats, and naturals, key signatures, and other concepts are covered . The interested singer can progress onward to the learning of music theory including scales and chords and how to properly tune one's own note within the chord being sung by the choir or played by the piano, as well as how to recognize what key is being sung in. Major/minor tonality and other areas of music theory can be learned. Knowing all of these aspects of the music can tremendously enhance your experience within a choir, or even just learning music on your own.
PRIVATE LESSONS are the best avenue towards rapid learning. More time can be spent on concepts that prove a challenge to the individual singer; yet, we can move right ahead when the "lightbulb" goes on quickly. This makes for individually-tailored pacing that produces the actual best value for your money and practicing time spent.
Private lessons are once per week at my home. Materials are inexpensive, at around $25 for an entire year. Bring a composition book in which to write assignments, definitions, vocal warmups, etc.
Private lessons will include practice, when ready, in multi-part singing against the teacher and/or against the piano. The student will learn to hold their own reading and singing their part against other parts, a skill necessary for choral participation. I'm happy to help you "drill" chorual music notes occasionally in an emergency if needed; but most of our time will be spent actually reading music. Bring your solo and choral music; we'll definitely work on learning to read your parts in the actual pieces/songs!