Die Pflege der Kinder- und Jugendstimme

Paul Nitsche's 'Pflege der Kinder- und Jugendstimme', published in two volumes in 1952/1954, has been known to directors of children's choirs and teachers of singing for a long time. Now this standard work is available as a revised new edition in a new design and layout, consisting of the chapters 'Theoretischer Teil' [Theoretical Part] and 'Stimmbildungen am Lied' [Voice Training in Song]. While the first part deals with topics such as 'autonomy of the child's voice', 'breaking of the voice', 'breathing', 'sound generation', 'resonant chambers' and 'hummer', the second part contains a lot of exercises for the practical work with children from primary school age to the breaking of the voice. 'Exercises in song', 'Song vocalises' and 'Syllables for practising in shouting, singing and playing' are just a few examples from the varied material provided for voice training. It is the author's aim to exploit the possibilities of the voice in song without the song becoming a stereotyped and mechanically repeated voice training exercise. What is essential is that the subject matter is 'wrapped up' in the singing or playing activities in such a way that the children do not lose their joy and pleasure in singing.