CHORAL MUSIC EDUCATION AS SOCIAL JUSTICE EDUCATION, by Emily Pearce As a current student of Music Education, I am immersed in Social Justice Education: teaching students about equal rights, respect for all, and unity in diversity. These are central aspects of my courses work, but also inherent in the work we do as Choral […]
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The “Star-Spangled Banner” Turns 200
The National Anthem of the United States, The Star-Spangled Banner, turns 200 this year, in fact the anniversary is just days away. In commemoration of the auspicious national anniversary, the American Choral Directors Association, in partnership with the Star Spangled Music Foundation, is planning a nation-wide celebration of our national anthem on Friday, September 12, […]
“Vocal Advantage: Tone (part 1)” by Dina Else
VOCAL ADVANTAGE: TONE (part 1), by Dina Else (no. 20 in a series) Welcome Back, I hope everyone had a wonderful 2013! As we head into a new year and a fresh start, the timing is perfect to leave the topic of breath and begin our conversations about tone. Describing the ideal […]
Composition Spotlight: Unfinished Melodies
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.) Unfinished Melodies by Linda Marcus, Robert Ross, Ken Matejka […]
Stick Time: Physical Freedom
Many colleagues have opined in the page of the Choral Journal and elsewhere about the value of physical freedom whilst singing. Put another way, they suggest a need to understand the difference between energy and tension. You disagree? Clench you jaw and sing. It can’t possible feel or sound good. Consider then, this performance […]
Choral Caffeine: Rehearsal Accountability
In an age when digital “friends” have replaced genuine friendships, when texts take the place of face-to-face communications, and perception is valued more than truth, it should come as no surprise that our students are utterly blind to the concept of accountability. Then again, how could they understand when pernicious helicopter mommies and daddies confront […]