“Habits change into character.” Ovid Many of us, especially in community-based programs, complain we don’t have enough singers to do the repertoire we really want to do. If we are a mixed group, we long for more tenors or baritones or basses but don’t seem to retain them when we get them. After years of […]
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Between the Staves: Choral Questions, Candid Answers
Between the Staves: Choral Questions, Candid Answers, is fresh take on the classic advice column—this time for all things choral music! Modeled after the beloved “Dear Sally” format, this blog will answer your questions about choral music education, performance, and leadership. Whether you’re curious about vocal technique, rehearsal tips, repertoire selection, or the “other” side […]
Choral Ethics: Gossip
“To a philosopher all news, as it is called, is gossip, and they who edit and read it are old women over their tea.” Henry David Thoreau I’d like to revisit one of the staple issues of Choral Ethics today: Gossip. Recently I’ve gotten quite a few emails about gossip. If you’ve been reading Choral […]
Choral Ethics: Story Time
“Finding good players is easy. Getting them to play as a team is another story.” Casey Stengel Happy New Year ChoralNet! I hope you all had wonderful holidays. And I also hope you spent some time recharging and refreshing before your next batch of rehearsals and classes begin. January’s Choral Ethics Blogs will be a […]
ChoralEd, Performing Choral Music – Kenya – Ken Wakia
In episode 49 of ChoralEd, Ken Wakia, founder and director of the acclaimed Nairobi Chamber Chorus, provides guidance on authentically performing Kenyan choral music including a discussion of movement [14:43], instrumentation [17:51], suggested resources [32:51], and notable composers [37:36]. Kenyan choral music is extremely diverse stemming from over 50 distinct tribes and sub-tribes. Because of […]
The Conductor as Yogi: The Freedom of Intention
It’s 6:20 AM on New Year’s Day. I’ve seen the flurry of “Happy New Year!” texts from family and friends (who made it to midnight, unlike me) and I pause, thinking, “another year, a new year ahead.” I imagine the countless resolutions being made around the world in this moment and though I am pretty positive by nature, I […]