Teaching Kids to Sing with Canons from One and All Rejoice

One and All Rejoice (OAR) contains numerous opportunities for teaching children part singing. A great way to get started is by learning one of the many canons included in OAR. To discover everything that can be sung in canon in OAR, check out the index “Hymns and Songs in Canon” on page 361 of the hymnal.

What Makes Canons Good for Teaching?

A canon employs a musical technique called imitation. This allows a single melody to be sung simultaneously by at least two groups, with the second statement occurring a bar or two after the first statement. Listen to “Canon for Meals” (OAR 286) to hear how this is accomplished.

Because canons are relatively simple in form, they are great options for teaching children to sing in parts. Many different styles are found in OAR, including 2-, 3-, and 4-part canons and canons that feature more than one melody. Additionally, OAR has canons for different seasons of the Church Year, such as Lent and Advent. For this exercise, a great starting point is “Epiphany Canon” (OAR 190).

How to Start Teaching 

Begin by teaching the children the melody. Once the children are confident and have established control of the melody, divide the classroom into two groups and slowly practice the canon in two parts. The piano accompaniment may be used to support singing, but the canon may also be sung a cappella. Once successful, designations for singing this canon in 3- or 4-parts are provided on the page.

When you’re ready to move on to something that offers more of a challenge, check out “Prepare the Way of the Lord” (OAR 176). This selection begins as a canon and later incorporates a secondary canon.

Aside from canons, hymns provide countless opportunities for part singing. To encourage this, many of the hymns in OAR include harmony. Listen to “Benediction” (OAR 331) to hear an example of a hymn sung in two parts.

Teaching your children’s choir to sing in parts is rewarding and opens new opportunities for music making. With a little patience and perseverance, you will be well on your way.

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