In ChoralEd Episode 22, Bryce Gage discusses techniques for introducing sight-reading to new choral students. To begin, Mr. Gage utilizes Call and Response. Initially, this exercise should be performed on a neutral syllable using simple intervals. As student’s develop their listening skills and demonstrate their ability to match pitch, the exercise should be extended to […]
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Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: Talking With Friends
“A single conversation across the table with a wise man is better than ten years mere study of books.” Henry Wadsworth Longfellow I’ve written quite a few times here about my conversations with choral friends, most of whom I’ve known for decades. Some of them have shared conversations with me they’ve had with their choral […]
A&C Monthly Blog: Encouraging Composers Within Your Ensemble
Guest Author: Dale Trumbore Let’s say you have a promising musician in your choir who’s interested in composing. As a conductor, how can you encourage them to write music? I don’t use the word “encourage” lightly. The most important thing for anyone new to composing, even more important than feedback or criticism, is encouragement […]
Summer: A Great Time to Renovate Your Choral Program!
Over Memorial Day Weekend, I visited friends and family in New Jersey. On the way back to Iowa City, I flew out of Newark Airport, Terminal A. It had been totally redesigned and renovated since the last time I had flown out of that terminal. The entryway met more of 21st century needs with more […]
Call for Nominations for ACDA’s Julius Herford Dissertation Prize – Deadline July 1
Nominations are being accepted for the next Julius Herford Prize, which will be awarded for a dissertation by a student earning their degree in 2022. This award recognizes an outstanding doctoral terminal research project in choral music. Projects are eligible if they comprise the principal research component of the degree requirements, whether the institution defines […]
The Conductor as Yogi: Takeaways, then Getaways
For most of us, the performing season or year has ended or will end, soon. With a combination of celebration and relief, we look forward to the change that summer represents. But before getaways, let’s look at the takeaways; let’s tidy up the desk of our minds as we wrap up and make space for […]