Do I REALLY have to Sight Sing?

One of my least favourite classes at music festivals growing up were the sight singing classes. We would all groan and complain and mumble but ultimately, it became one of the most important skills I had for learning music quickly and efficiently!  Recently I discovered a fabulous series of two books for practicing your skills.  Sight Singing for Success is the brainchild of NATS member Dr. Joan Heels of Hamilton, ON and makes it easy for both students and teachers to prepare for Royal Conservatory of Music and Conservatory Canada exams.  

Published in two volumes with samples for Grades 1-5  in the first and Grades 6-10 in the second volume, it is efficient and easy to use.  Every 4 bar sample is numbered and gets progressively harder.  Each grade is split between Part A and Part B for RCM and CC respectively.  You can see from the example here how clear and easy this score is to read.  The final bonus is the coil binding that makes it stay open on any piano!


Sight Singing for Success author, Dr. Heels "maintains a private vocal and piano studio in Hamilton, is an active international adjudicator, and is a member of the College of Examiners of the Royal Conservatory of Music. As an examiner for the Royal Conservatory of Music, she saw a need for a sight singing manual such as this, with progressive sight singing examples geared to help students be more successful in the sight singing part of their examinations."


A resource much needed and appreciated in my studio!