Performance Practice of Thomas Tallis: An Educational Perspective (thesis)

Abstract

A choral student's formative music education is often provided by a high school choir. For many student's, this is where they will receive the bulk of their music education. Consequently, it is extremely important for high school music educators to provide students with a well-rounded education during this time. An important part of a student's music education that is often overlooked is performance practice. Through examining the performance practice of Thomas Tallis, many of the main issues of performance practice facing educators can be explored. Because of the uncertainty regarding the performance practice of Tallis, many educators ignore performance practice completely severely limiting their students. Instead, the flexibility of Tallis performance practice should be used to foster analytical skills and introduce students to the basic concepts of music scholarship. [From the Introduction]