‘Combat Piano’ for the New Choral Director
Date
June 9-August 1, 2025
Online
Course Code
8005B
Credits
2
Tuition
$764
Course Description
This course is designed specifically for music teachers who find themselves stepping into unfamiliar territory—such as instrumental directors tasked with teaching choir. “Combat Piano for the New Choir Director” provides a comprehensive refresher on essential piano techniques and offers practical strategies for supporting choral students effectively. Key topics covered include:
- Playing choral warmups with confidence.
- Using adaptive strategies to accompany your choirs.
- Musically supporting your choir students even without the presence of a regular accompanist.
Instructor
Sarah Giordano earned a Bachelor’s degree in instrumental music education from Eastern Illinois University and a Master’s degree in choral music education from VanderCook College of Music. Ms. Giordano teaches general music, conducts the choirs and directs the musical at Jackson Middle School in Villa Park. In 2018 the Jackson Concert Choir was selected to perform at the IMEC All-State Music Convention.
Beyond the classroom, Ms. Giordano has a passion for musical theatre. She directs and serves as music director and vocal director with various youth theatre programs in the Chicago suburbs, and she has worked with Naperville’s only professional theatre company. Recent youth theatre productions directed by Giordano include Zombies the Musical (virtual musical), Getting to Know…Oklahoma, Shrek The Musical JR, Elf JR, The Pirates of Penzance, and Godspell. Mainstage productions include Spamalot, Guys and Dolls, The Bridges of Madison County, Hairspray, Joseph…Dreamcoat, and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.
Ms. Giordano teaches Secondary General Music Methods 6-12 and Musical Theatre Methods at VanderCook College of Music. She is active in the VanderCook MECA program, presenting “Bringing Out the Best in Young Singers,” and most recently “Musical Theatre Workshop: Planning, Production and Performance.” She consistently serves as a choral clinician, adjudicator and accompanist.