Copyright 1997 by Steven M. Demorest, All Rights Reserved.
Improving Sight-singing Performance in the Choral Ensemble: The
Effect of Individual Testing
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of individual testing, in conjunction with group instruction, on students' sight-singing skills. A quasi
experimental study was designed to test the following prediction: Choir students given a regular program of individual testing, will show a significantly greater improvement in individual sight-singing over students given group sight-singing instruction
alone. A sample of N= 306 subjects was drawn from the beginning and advanced choirs of six Washington high schools that taught sight-singing. Intact choirs were randomly assigned in a pretest-posttest control group design to examine the effect of a ser
ies of three individual tests administered to the experimental group throughout one semester. Results showed a significantly greater gain in individual sight-singing performance on the major melody for members of the experimental group who were beginning
choir members. Advanced choir members showed no significant gain over the control group in either major or minor melodies. There was a significant school to school difference in individual achievement, but no interaction with the treatment. Individual
testing was found to be an effective means of improving individual sight-singing performance in group instructional situations.