This post is a reprint of one featured back in April. Chief among the things that differentiate choral music from instrumental music is the use of text. I spend a lot of time reminding my choirs of this, as I am sure many of you do. Because it is our job to convey textual meaning […]
Music Within Reach
Music Within Reach: Arrangements for SAB and Three-Part Mixed
I used to be snobby about arrangements of classic choral works. I have always been taught to seek out the most authentic editions, voicings, and keys of pieces, and I still believe in that notion. However, when I got out into the real world and began teaching middle school and beginning high school choir—usually with […]
Music Within Reach: Accessible Pieces for Single-Gender Choirs
Sometimes choral pieces look much more difficult at first glance than they really are. The voicing might look daunting (SSAA, TTBB) or maybe the spread of parts across the page is intimidating. But sometimes a piece can actually be much more accessible than you initially think. This week’s post will look at two pieces for […]
Music Within Reach: Programming for December
I often find myself thinking that there is an overabundance of choral music out there for December, Christmas, and winter. This may be true, but experience has taught me that finding the perfect pieces that fit all of our needs—performance-based, educational, accessibility—is no easy task. If you find yourself in this boat, this post is […]
Music Within Reach: Galuppi
Baldassare Galuppi (1706-1785), if remembered at all, is largely known today for his early comic operas. However, he was employed as maestro di cappella at St. Mark’s in Venice for many years and also worked at one of the infamous Ospedali in Venice, as did Vivaldi, Lotti, and many others. Thanks to these posts, Galuppi […]
Music Within Reach: The Dreaded Fall Concert
Those of us who teach school have been back now for a little over a month, which means that it is almost time for that most frightening of endeavors—the FALL CONCERT. I do not know about other teachers, but the fall concert gives me more sleepless nights and gray hair than anything else I do. […]