Latest Blog Posts

“The way to gain a good reputation is to endeavor to be what you desire to appear.” Socrates Finn* had heard about Dr. Marcus* for years. He taught at the local community college, had the best (and biggest) church position in town and conducted the premier community chorus in the region. Finn taught elementary school […]

ChorTeach is ACDA’s quarterly publication for choral conductors and teachers at all levels. It is published online, and each issue contains four practical articles. If you are not already a member of ACDA, you can join and receive access to ChorTeach online. Below is an excerpt from an article written by Larry Swingen appearing in the Fall 2019 issue._____________________________________ Because of […]

Everyone CAN learn to sing. Everyone SHOULD sing.  If you believe this, you should “ditch choir auditions!“ Choir should be an open community, not a gated community. I hope you will hear my philosophy behind this comment and how it relates to WHY our culture no longer includes singing. Here is: Ditch Choir Auditions: Everyone Can Sing!

“There is a harmony in autumn, and a luster in its sky, which through the summer is not heard or seen, as if it could not be, as if it had not been!” Percy Bysshe Shelley I love autumn. The golden slant of the sunshine, the rich, beautiful colors of the trees, the crisp and […]

The November 2019 issue of Choral Journal is now available online! This issue features an article written by Felicia Sandler titled “Ephraim Amu’s African Songs: Notation and Performance Practice.” Below is an excerpt of the article, and you can read it in its entirety in the November 2019 issue! Go to acda.org/choraljournal and click the image of the cover to […]

Do you have SINGERS who STRUGGLE to: a) hold their part? b) sing in tune? c) sing the correct pitches when sight-singing? d) MATCH PITCH?If you do, there is a reason for it. These issues are all inter-connected! AND, I can share a solution! This is EXACTLY WHAT I DO WITH MY STUDENTS! Here are: 4 Definitive Steps to Assess & Develop EVERY Singer’s […]

#55: “KidSong” by Stephen Caldwell
SSA, piano

You may possibly look at the title for this piece, and assume it’s an elementary or children’s choir song – too childish for your adult women’s chorus, or your high school/college treble choir. Incorrect! The energy and drive of the mixed meter, along with the nostalgia of the children’s rhymes, make this an exciting, engaging piece for any women’s/treble choir, no matter their age.

“The hidden harmony is better than the obvious.” Heraclitus I learned about the new NBC situation comedy, “Perfect Harmony,” during the summer. I was flabbergasted. Someone thought a sit-com about a choir, a church choir, would be entertaining? Impossible! I hoped it wouldn’t denigrate what we do. I went about my usual summer activities of […]

The newest issue of Choral Journal is available online. Following is a list of the articles you will find in this issue. ACDA members can log in with their username and password to view and download the newest edition. You can also read our electronic version. Below is a preview of the articles you will find in this […]

In this episode I dig deeper with Chris Maunu on his “choiral” blog called “Choral Elitism” which has been a frequent conversation starter on choral conversation pages. I identified with his article very deeply, and felt the need to talk to Chris more about this topic. My hope is to use this show to help […]