I’ve taught choral music to public school middle school children since 1989. In the early years, I couldn’t figure out how to teach my young beginners how to take the notes and symbols off of the page and sing with accurate pitch and rhythm. One day at a time… One failure at a time… Deliberately… I […]
American Choral Directors Association
Christmas In July 2016
Tired of the heat? Get your sleigh bells, scarf and cool off with my annual Christmas in July special. You will hear a short cantata by JS Bach, plus new music for the season and of course a chestnut or two. Come on in!
So…You’re replacing a legendary choral director…
If you are about to face a group of middle school or high school chorus students in the upcoming school year who have been taught by a teacher they absolutely adored, you may be feeling like you’ve just been hired to replace Robert Shaw…iconic 20th Century Choral Conductor! It is so scary. Can you imagine […]
An Excursion With The Singers, Minnesota Choral Artists
Host Stan Schmidt takes you on an excursion with the singers, Minnesota choral artists by Matthew Culluoton, one of the finest choirs in the country. They will explain some of the marvelous music of America including some early hymnody plus original selections from two master composers Morten Laurdisen and René Clausen.
Why Won’t My Middle School Choir Sing Part 5
This is the 5th and final posting in the five-part series called “Why Won’t My Middle School Choir Sing?” To start with the first reason, click here! Reason #5: We don’t know how to introduce music. It is possible to turn this age group against a new piece of music in the three minutes of […]
This week on Find Your Forte: Cutting the cheese and Patrick Dupree Quigley
We often seek permission and approval from others in order to live the life we wish to live, both personally and professionally. The problem is that when we do this we give up control of our lives to everyone else but ourselves. Since we love what we do so much, there is a very blurry […]