Tyler Hsieh

M100B
2/1/2016
Observation for Michael Hayden
Observing Mr. Haydens choral program at Mira Costa was sublime His students show a high
level of respect for Mr. Hayden, and he shows it right back to the students as well. There is a
mutual sense of respect going on, and that showed in the music. An interesting aspect of Mr.
Haydens teaching is his background. He is from a college teaching background, and his
pedagogy reflects it too. For example, he asked us, how would you provide a class for students
who have never played an instrument before? I had no idea. It turns out that most of his
students had never read music before. Now they can identify notes and key signatures very
quickly.
Mr. Haydens choirs did these warmups:
1. Sirens with BBB
a. Students did sirens from their lowest to highest range with bbbbbbb
This allows the students to warm up, increase range, and work on air speed.
The students were successful.
2. My Country on BBBB
a. Students were to sing My Country with bbbbbb
b. Students were to conduct with Mr. Hayden
The students were at first unsuccessful, but after Mr. Hayden told them to increase air
speed, they became successful
3. M3 on BBBBB
a. Students were to sing Major 3rds with bbbbb
b. Students were to listen to the quality of a Major 3rd
c. Students were to have fast air speed
d. Students were to use Kodaly Hand Signals
The students were successful in singing Major 3rds while using Kodaly Hand Signals

second note should be E

4. M3 with Solfege
a. Students were to sing Major 3rds with solfege
b. Students were to listen to the quality of a Major 3rd
c. Students were to have fast air speed
d. Students were to open up their vowels

The students were successful, but I wasnt

do

mi

re

fa

mi

so

fa

ra

so

ti

ra

do

ti

re

Second note should be E

5. One
a. Students were to sing and enunciate correctly
b. Students were to have resonance
Students were successful at this task

one one one one one

one one one

one

6. many many many many men

a. Students were to sing many many many many men, using their hands to help
b. Students were to listen to equal temperament.
Students were successful at this task.

7. Major Scale
a. Students were to sing a major scale
b. Students were to use Solfege
Students were successful at this task.

do

do

re

mi

fa

so

la

ti

do

ti

la

so

fa

mi

re

do

My favorite part about Mr. Hayden is that he was very pedagogical. He reminded me of Yehuda
Gilad and Jerry Simas put together. Mr. Hayden always explained the reasoning behind what he
did, and made his plans around that. He is who I want to be when I become a teacher.