Karen Surmani

Karen Farnum Surmani taught elementary music for several years in the Los Angeles Unified School District. She had a very successful program as an itinerant vocal and general elementary music teacher at LAUSD, teaching pre-kindergarten through 6th grade classes at multiple schools. Karen has extensive training in early childhood music teaching and has also taught middle school and at the University of Southern California. An accomplished classical vocalist, Karen has performed in venues around the world and continues to sing professionally. She is also a private voice teacher who has taught many talented students.

An Orff certified music teacher, Karen is a member of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association, Music Educators National Conference, the Organization of American Kodaly Educators, Early Childhood Music and Movement Association, National Association for the Education of Young Children, and is a licensed Kindermusik educator. Karen received a Bachelor of Music degree and a K-12 music teaching credential from California State University, Northridge. She has also earned a Masters in Music Education degree from the University of Southern California. Karen resides in Los Angeles with her husband, Andrew, and their two sons.

Teach Yourself To Sing

 Getting Started
The Basics of Singing
More Basics of Singing
Interpreting Vocal Music
Performing Music


For beginners with no prior musical training. Learn the basics of singing including breathing, posture, warming up and more. Includes an easy and comprehensive approach to reading music. The Enhanced CD has an audio portion with practice exercises, demonstrations by professional singers and exciting accompaniments to sing along with. The software portion includes an interactive song player, which lets you adjust tempos, mix accompaniment tracks, record your performance and transpose song accompaniments to any key! There are 40 all-time favorite songs included in the book in a variety of styles, from Popular, to Jazz, Classical and Musical Theater. Book & CD
6054 BOOK & CD $19.95

Sing at First Sight

A sequential sight singing curriculum for all choirs. Each of the six units (containing four lessons each) clearly introduces new music reading concepts, reinforces those concepts with several rhythm and pitch exercises, motivates students with helpful hints and challenge exercises, and concludes with fun-filled review games and "Evaluating Your Performance" questions. The helpful "Getting Ready" pages (which precede each unit) are filled with music fundamentals, and for choirs who have never read music before, an optional "Before We Begin" chapter opens the book. And it's all neatly laid out in a 96-page octavo sized publication; a perfect fit for your students, and their folders. From whole notes to sixteenth note patterns, seconds to sevenths, key signatures, dynamics, articulations, and tempo markings; it's all here, and it's all logically ordered to insure student success! Spend just a few minutes a day with this book and your choir, too, will learn to ³Sing At First Sight!²
6033 BOOK $7.95

Sing at First Sight - Reproducible Companion Book and CD Kit

 Rhythm Exercises
Pitch Exercises
Written Activities
Ear Training
Assessment
Answer Key

Augment your sight-singing curriculum with this well-written supplemental textbook which directly correlates to the lessons taught in Alfred's popular Sing at First Sight method. Includes over 80 reproducible pages of additional exercises, activities, and assessments designed to strengthen the music reading skills of developing musicians. A listening CD provides ear training activities and recorded accompaniments for the six end-of-unit songs. Plus, a handy appendix with easy-to-follow charts and diagrams of music fundamentals. The Reproducible Companion is highly effective when used with Sing at First Sight; on a routine basis after each of the 24 sequential lessons; as needed to master challenging musical concepts; or as a general review following the completion of the original textbook. Logically layed out in a 96 page spiral-bound book, ready for the photocopier!

6338 BOOK & CD $39.95

Rock Singing Technique

 The Singer Within
The Basics of Singing
Advanced Rock-Singing Concepts and Techniques
Making It Happen: Singing Live with a Band
Making It Happen: Singing in the Studio

This book covers what every rock singer needs to know. Exercises and songs are included to help you strengthen your voice and extend your range. Live and studio singing is explained including information on the equipment you'll need to sing with a band. The CD includes accompaniments for songs and exercises.
6063 BOOK & CD $10.95

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