Others

Regardless of when one might have attended an ACDA conference, there seems to be a general agreement that the concerts are exceptional.  Folks rave about the “best” performance they heard, and if one listens carefully it becomes clear that those ensembles celebrated as being the “best” tend to be the professional choirs and those from […]

Hmmm . . . is is a wedding, or is it a wake?  That probably depends upon one’s point of view.  If one has the right partner at the alter, then it will be a grand adventure!    

REHEARSAL STRATEGIES OF SIR DAVID WILCOCKS by Carl Smith   Sir David Willcocks, Music Director Emeritus, King’s College Choir, King’s College, Cambridge University, UK, used three rehearsal strategies which differed from rehearsal strategies used by other choral conductors, with whom I have sung.   The first strategy was teaching releases. Many times, in dealing with […]

(An excerpt from the interest session “The Bel-Canto Choral Transformation: Creating the Beautiful Balanced, Blended Ensemble Singing You’re Always Dreamed Of,” presented by Laurier Fagnan during the 2015 ACDA National Conference.)          We must understand that when we sing, there is an ongoing struggle in our body between two opposing forces: the breath – […]

(An excerpt from the interest session “Problems and Possibilities in Choral Methods Courses,” presented by Patrick K. Freer during the 2015 ACDA National Conference.)           One problem is our graduates’ reluctance to use research-based techniques when teaching choral music.  When I attend many sessions at state, regional and national ACDA conferences, the advice given […]

(An excerpt from the interest session “Thirty-Something: New Choral Music from Today’s Hottest Young Composers,” presented by Dominick DiOrio during the 2015 ACDA National Conference.)          New choral music is flowing in many directions these days, with composers borrowing influences from popular music, early music, and folk traditions. This is in no way more […]