Student members of the American Choral Directors Association are encouraged to let their voice be heard regarding the Strategic Planning Membership Survey that is currently available through the ACDA website. Constitutionally, the only members of ACDA that vote in elections are “Active Members”, but ACDA is opening its important Stratetic Planning Survey to student members. […]
Collaboration Results in Great New Things
Four and a half centuries ago there was a struggle over the high art of vocal polyphony in sacred compositions and the church’s need to have its sacred texts presented in an intelligible manner. Strong measures could have been made to thwart the expressive writing of vocal counterpoint, but certain composers such as Giovanni Palestrina […]
ACDA Smartphone Mobile App – With Love!
On March 15, ACDA members and choral enthusiasts will have yet another fabulous benefit available to them: a Smartphone App! This application will include ACDA’s exclusive “First Listen” program (in collaboration with Naxos) and “Choral Library” (reviews of new choral music). I am announcing the availability of this new ACDA mobile app at each of […]
The Traits of a True Mentor
In her February 7 The New York Times article, "What Doctors Can Learn From Musicians", medical doctor Danielle Ofri offers the term "coach" for what I believe are the traits of a true mentor–one who gives "…unflinchingly honest criticism, laced with an unfailing optimism." Dr. Offri writes, "In music, plateaus are flatly unaccepted. When […]
Where the Magic Happens
The Arts Teach
In Elliot Eisner’s book The Arts and the Creation of Mind (2002, Yale University Press), Eisner states, “The arts' position in the school curriculum symbolizes to the young what adults believe is important.” In Chapter 4, What the Arts Teach and How It Shows, Eisner outlines Ten Lessons the arts Teach: The arts teach children […]