Micah Bland

In a recent ChoralEd episode, host Micah Bland sat down with Jude Nwankwo, a distinguished Nigerian composer and choral director, to explore the vibrant world of Nigerian choral music. For those outside of the culture, approaching this music can feel daunting, but as Nwankwo explains, with a little research and a lot of respect, it’s […]

In episode 47 of ChoralEd, Indian-American composer and vocalist Shruthi Rajasekar shares her expertise on performing choral music from Indian musical traditions. Rajasekar strongly emphasizes that embarking on the journey of performing music from another culture begins with thorough research. It’s not merely about reading; it’s about connecting with the culture. The most impactful approach, […]

In ChoralEd episode 46, Dr. Arreon Harley-Emerson of Equity Sings offers some insights and practical guidance on respectfully performing music from diverse cultures. Before sharing music from another culture with our choirs and audiences, Dr. Harley-Emerson suggests we look inward (before outward) by asking ourselves three simple questions: This internal reflection is a critical first […]

To promote an engaging classroom environment, choral directors often incorporate fun vocal exercises in their rehearsal. ChoralEd, Episode 44 features eight fun vocal warm-ups for your choral ensemble. Keep in mind, while these exercises are fun, they also provide opportunities to work on vocal technique. To view a demonstration of each exercise, click the corresponding […]

Prior to a performance, it is beneficial for choral directors to carefully consider and experiment with various standing formation, as differing formations can affect the sound of an ensemble. When considering standing formations, most directors likely think of the physical placement of voice parts (blocked or mixed formations). But arguably the more important consideration is […]