By Irasema Romero
In an unconventional approach to the study of language, students in a French Choir class this semester will develop their French skills through singing.
'A language like French is also based on a rhythm, so singing is a good exercise, ' said Yvon Le Bras, chair of the department of French and Italian. 'We want people to have a chance to do something else outside of the general classroom to complement their education.'
The class practices French songs in an effort to provide students with a cultural experience beyond what is possible in a lecture class.
'Many of these pieces are French folk songs that can really introduce students to aspects of the French culture,' said Sherstine Madsen, choir director and undergraduate student in French.
French songs are first composed as poetry, Le Bras said.
'Each singer or each composer, just like a writer or a poet, is trying to express feelings,' he said. 'A song tells a story, so we have a tradition of songs where the text is more important than the music itself.'
The class is directed in English with French pronunciation help provided for each song.
' is able to really enhance students' French skills in a really unique manner as they are learning these songs,' Madsen said. 'It's kind of an application of what have been learning in their French classes.'
Students not only benefit by practicing the French language, but also learn of the culture.
'Here you get to see more of a fine arts perspective of the French culture rather than just literature,' said freshman Paige Pickard from Orem. 'You don't get a lot of exposure of their music by just taking a regular class.'
The love of the language brings together students from different majors, who are not necessarily proficient in the language but have taken classes previously.
Students may also find the course helpful in improving their musical abilities.
' at the same time are able to learn how to perform and portray the spirit of music to the audience,' Madsen said.
The environment of the class is different from others because of the interaction between choir members.
'They are working together to create this sound as a whole,' Madsen said.
For the winter semester 2007, the class is listed as 490R section 2, and it is scheduled for Thursdays at 5 p.m.