Sing at First Sight, Level 2: Choral Textbook

Level 2 builds genuine sight-singing independence rather than just drilling isolated skills. The structure (Rhythm Review, Getting Ready pages, progressive exercises, then choral excerpts from a trusted series) gives singers the scaffolding they need to apply concepts to real music immediately. The inclusion of a full performance piece means your students end the book with proof of their progress and something concert-ready in hand.

Working through Level 2 feels like steady progress made visible. Each unit scaffolds from rhythm patterns and pitch drills to full musical contexts, so singers experience the satisfaction of mastering discrete skills and then seeing those skills live in real choral writing. The review games and performance piece punctuate the work with moments of musical celebration.

This book serves choirs ready to move beyond basic sight-reading into systematic skill development. It works best for singers who have completed Level 1 or who already read music with some confidence but need structured practice in rhythm and pitch integration.

• Start each rehearsal with the Rhythm Readiness exercises before diving into new melodic material; consistent warm-up work with rhythm patterns accelerates sight-singing fluency.
• Use the Challenge Exercises as independent practice assignments or section-specific work outside of full choir time, targeting the areas where your singers struggle most.
• Anchor unit assessment using the choral excerpts from Alfred's Choral Designs; singers recognize the connection between textbook exercises and authentic repertoire.
• Build anticipation for the full-length performance piece by previewing it in pieces throughout the unit, then block off rehearsal time in the final weeks to polish it for concert.

Integrate this as your choir's primary sight-singing curriculum, spending 8-12 minutes per rehearsal on Rhythm Readiness and Lessons. The unit structure aligns well with a semester or academic year broken into four chunks, allowing assessment and repertoire planning to happen naturally. Reserve the performance piece for a dedicated concert or a sightreading recital that showcases the entire choir's growth.

• Rhythmic sight-reading across simple and compound meters
• Major and minor scale recognition and pitch accuracy
• Interval identification and intonation within melodic contexts
• Coordinated rhythm and pitch reading applied to four-part choral writing
• Self-assessment of sight-singing performance through Evaluating Your Performance questions