(An excerpt from the Choral Journal article, “Organizing a Colleguim Musicum,” by Gordon Sanford [p.26]) In organizing a collegium the first thing to determine what music you might expect to perform. Most modern collegia perform music composed before 1750, including a repertoire not normally explored by traditional groups within their school. Other collegia […]
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Choral Caffeine: The Church is Not a Battlefield
It is probably safe to say that all places of religious worship are supposed to be about fellowship, spiritual enrichment, peace, and love. Thus it is always amazing to hear people complain about one church or another, demonizing them because of some practice or perceived ill that the find objectionable. Such folks even criticize the […]
Composition Spotlight: Always
COMPOSITION SPOTLIGHT ~ by Jack Senzig (Each week we look at one or two of the best choral works posted in the Composition Showcase here on ChoralNet. This is where we store a treasure trove of works that your choirs will love to sing and your audiences will love to hear.) Always by Rick Bartlett for SSA and piano (Click […]
Make Score Prep Videos with Explain Everything
Do you send out score marking instructions to your singers? Many conductors have a set of markings that they want every singer to have in their score: cutoffs, changes to rhythm or diction, accents and dynamic changes, or paticular tempi to observe. Rather than send those on a sheet of paper, or take time in […]
GUEST BLOG: “Choral Ethics is Not an Oxymoron” by Marie Grass Amenta
CHORAL ETHICS IS NOT AN OXYMORON, by Marie Grass Amenta Almost two years ago, I decided to write a book about something I now call “Choral Ethics.” A few things motivated me, including a rather unpleasant encounter at a community arts event with a choral colleague. Nothing seemed to provoke our confrontation; in fact, […]
The Young Conductor VII – gaining experience 2
Last time I recommended that the young conductor (even while still an undergraduate) gain experience through conducting a church choir. For the conductor who is a bit more advanced (already teaching, for example, or working in a major church position), working with a community choir or similar ensemble can be a valuable addition. The first year […]