In Episode 19 of The Choral Director’s Toolbox, host Dr. William Baker unpacks the controversy surrounding Austrian or Germanic Latin in Classical Period choral performance. With his signature clarity and wit, Dr. Baker challenges conventional assumptions and offers practical insight on pronunciation for clarity and expression. This week’s listener question addresses ideal seating –or no seating at […]
Graphite Welcomes Gerald Cohen!
Graphite welcomes Gerald Cohen! Cohen brings a great kit of skills to his choral music workbench. He’s a singer, composer, cantor, and educator. On a personal level, he brings a Jewish cultural perspective and value to his musical art. In his choral works, he endeavors to balance craft, emotion, melody, and melodic development. He connects […]
The Choral Director’s Toolbox This Week
https://www.ChoralFoundation.org/toolbox In Episode 18 of The Choral Director’s Toolbox, host Dr. William Baker shares practical insights on “Commissioning New Music,” drawing from decades of experience premiering choral works. From contracts and premiere logistics, this episode is a must-listen for conductors considering the rewarding adventures of new music creation. This week’s listener question invites Dr. Baker’s recommended […]
One By One
“One By One” by Sandy Sherman and Randall Rumage is a moving environmental song with a beautiful SATB/piano arrangement. It focuses on a call to action to treasure the earth and it reminds us all to make a difference …. one by one. It is suitable for choirs from high school level upwards. Duration: 4:10 […]
The Choral Director’s Toolbox
In January of this year The William Baker Choral Foundation launched a weekly podcast called The Choral Director’s Toolbox. The program is a 15-20 podcast available each Monday, 8:00 eastern/7:00 central hosted by Dr. William Baker, head of the Choral Foundation. Each episode includes Today’s Topic, a short instructional message; Today’s Question, where Dr. Baker answers an […]
Repertoire suggestions for choir and orchestra and/or string/wind ensemble
Our choir is celebrating its 60th anniversary next year, and we’re beginning our search for repertoire. We need suggestions for pieces for choir and orchestra and/or string/wind ensemble that are relatively easy for our members to learn (about 80% don’t read music), ideally by a contemporary composer, and something that will easily connect with our […]