(An excerpt from the interest session “Problems and Possibilities in Choral Methods Courses,” presented by Patrick K. Freer during the 2015 ACDA National Conference.) One problem is our graduates’ reluctance to use research-based techniques when teaching choral music. When I attend many sessions at state, regional and national ACDA conferences, the advice given […]
Conference Morsel: Hottest New Composers
(An excerpt from the interest session “Thirty-Something: New Choral Music from Today’s Hottest Young Composers,” presented by Dominick DiOrio during the 2015 ACDA National Conference.) New choral music is flowing in many directions these days, with composers borrowing influences from popular music, early music, and folk traditions. This is in no way more […]
Conference Morsel: Technology in Choral Music
(An excerpt from the interest session “Choral Music in the 21st Century: Integrating Technology into Choral Music,” presented by Christopher J. Russell during the 2015 ACDA National Conference.) One of my goals for this presentation was to focus on strategies that can be instantly adopted in the choir rehearsal. One of the emerging technologies […]
Saturday Respite: Big Voice Trailer
We have been watching with great interest the development of the film, Big Voice. The project is nearing completion, and we are certain it will strike a familiar, welcome tone with all of us in choral music education. Enjoy this trailer.
Stick Time: Love is in the Air
Without question, sacred texts comprise the vast majority of poetry set to choral music. We don’t know what sort of words are most frequently scored from the body of secular works, but certainly the topic of romantic love has to be near the top of the list. Bach composed a work about coffee, for […]
Conference Morsel: Singing VVV
(An excerpt from the interest session “The Evolving Voice: The Senior Years,” presented by Karen Brunssen during the 2015 ACDA National Conference.) Vocal training and conditioning should always be age-appropriate, dependent on where the body is within progressive and constant changes. Singers in their “Senior Years” benefit from “mindful” concepts and strategies that efficiently […]