ABSTRACT
Teachers working with young children probably avoid using the word "conductor" to describe themselves or "conducting" to describe the activity they are engaged in. Studies in early childhood musical development underscore how important it is for teachers to understand certain pedagogical issues related to singing. While many of the principles outlined in relation to singing development in the early years are relevant to all ages, there are specific issues that pertain in particular to adolescence. The obvious and most noticeable feature of vocal development at this age is, of course, voice change. The rate at which boys move through the maturation stages varies from individual to individual and can take varying times at each stage. Nonetheless, the process is predictable and logical. Changing voices become less agile and are more vulnerable to vocal abuse. Many community and church choirs have singers in their middle age and older. People are living longer and have more leisure and retirement time.
