AIRS 3rd Annual Meeting: 2011

Title: Vocal Sensorimotor Development and Singing in First Graders
Authors: Rayna Friendly (McMaster University), Jennifer Walsh (McMaster University),
Christine D. Tsang (Huron University College), Laurel J. Trainor (McMaster University, Rotman
Research Institute)

Abstract

Introduction: Although singing is a universal human behavior, we know very little about its
development. Several studies in the music education literature and neuroimaging studies of
adult singers indicate that sensorimotor integration of vocal production and auditory
perception mechanisms are critical to singing proficiency. These studies also indicate that music
training and vocal practice are highly related to singing ability. However, it remains unclear
how production and perception mechanisms are affected by these factors, and what role they
play in singing development during childhood.
Method: Two classrooms of grade 1 children participated in the study. One group of children
received a special music program for one hour per week during the school year, while the other
group participated in a traditional music education curriculum. A set of matched auditory
perception and vocal production tests (VAMDA) were administered individually to all children:
once at the start, and once at the end of the school year. Tests of social competence and
cognitive ability were also administered.
Results: Testing is still in progress. Preliminary results will be presented at the AIRS meeting.
Results will indicate 1) whether children’s singing abilities change substantially over the course
of a school year, 2) if the music program facilitates singing ability in comparison to the no
program group, and 3) if cognitive level and social competence are related to singing
proficiency.
Discussion: Using the VAMDA, we hope to be able to provide evidence for the vocal
sensorimotor loop model of singing, proposed by Berkowska and Dalla Bella (2009). In this
model, several factors contribute to singing proficiency, however how the loop develops during
childhood is not well understood. By testing singing, cognitive and social abilities in children
both pre- and post- training we hope to be able to provide a more rounded examination of
singing development.