Scott Dorsey

The first of ACDA’s seven divisional conferences takes place next week.  For those fortunate enough to be able to attend, those events will provide a rich opportunity to listen, learn, and grow.   But here’s a question:  HOW will you choose to listen to the concerts?  No, not “hear” the concerts . . . LISTEN.  […]

In our daily rehearsals, choral conductors push, push again, and push some more!  We demand ever-higher levels of musicianship, of poetic communication, and of artistic accomplishment from our choirs.  Some days we’re woodshedding with a chain saw, while on others we’re cutting with a scalpel.  We may fuss endlessly on the release of a single […]

The larger the choral ensemble, the harder the director will have to work to create subtle expressiveness and clear details. Not, however, because of the sum of the bodies present and usual “muddiness” of the typical large group delivery, but rather because of the lower ratio of concentrated effort from each individual.  (excerpted from the […]

CHORAL MUSIC EDUCATION AS SOCIAL JUSTICE EDUCATION, by Emily Pearce   As a current student of Music Education, I am immersed in Social Justice Education: teaching students about equal rights, respect for all, and unity in diversity. These are central aspects of my courses work, but also inherent in the work we do as Choral […]

The National Anthem of the United States, The Star-Spangled Banner, turns 200 this year, in fact the anniversary is just days away.  In commemoration of the auspicious national anniversary, the American Choral Directors Association, in partnership with the Star Spangled Music Foundation, is planning a nation-wide celebration of our national anthem on Friday, September 12, […]

VOCAL ADVANTAGE: TONE (part 1), by Dina Else (no. 20 in a series)   Welcome Back, I hope everyone had a wonderful 2013!   As we head into a new year and a fresh start, the timing is perfect to leave the topic of breath and begin our conversations about tone.   Describing the ideal […]