Getting Kids to Sing in Head Voice, Part One: The Adventures of Mozart the Mouth Magician

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In Missouri, one of our music objectives is teaching first graders about singing in head voice. As we know, this is important for vocal health, to save the throat and to encourage children to sing in their natural ranges. We use sirens, scarves, and other tricks.

I am always looking for new ways to utilize my ever-growing collection of puppets in new ways. This year, I had a brainstorm. Two years ago, I used a Merlin cap as part of the sixth grade program. I will admit, I’m lazy. My costumes are housed in our school basement in a corner of the STEM closet. Somehow, the Merlin hat didn’t make it to the box, and I really didn’t want to go downstairs to put it away. So, the hat ended up on my boy Folkmanis puppet we had named Wolfie (for Mozart, from the movie Amadeus).  This year, I looked at the hat, and Wolfie, in a whole new light. The hat remained, and I renamed Wolfie to the much more dignified name of Mozart the Marvelous Mouth Magician, complete with I.D. card (well, the picture has to be taken care of first. He has a temporary one). I decided that Mozart would make a great tool to teach first graders about head voice and proper singing. The video below shows Mozart’s first introduction to the first grade:

My heart almost broke when one little voice in first grade (when I talked about how Mozart was afraid someone would make fun of him) said “We would NEVER do that.” Lesson in head voice AND lesson in character education! These kids were too precious. And the Merlin hat? Terrific visual in head voice! Since the superstrain of lice hasn’t disappeared, the kids can’t share the real Merlin hat, but we will be making our own for their next music classes so they have their own magic hat for head voice. Hopefully I will be sharing those activities as well.

So, we’re going to keep on the continuing adventures of Mozart the Marvelous Mouth Magician. Stay tuned!

***Disclaimer: I will be developing activities with Mozart for future workshops and possibly other ventures. If you should choose to share this idea, I would greatly appreciate receiving credit. Thanks!

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Hi there!

I am an elementary music teacher and adjunct professor from Missouri and have completed my Ph.D. in music education through the University of Kansas.

I am an elementary music teacher and adjunct professor from Missouri and have just completed my Ph.D. in music education through the University of Kansas.

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