Latest Blog Posts

“The real act of discovery consists not in finding new lands but seeing with new eyes”. Marcel Proust This past weekend here at Marcellus High School, we presented the musical KISS ME, KATE.  The cast, crew, and pit did an outstanding job – what a challenging book!  As we prepared for the Saturday matinee, the […]

Herring’s Head is a cumulative folksong that I taught to and sung with students of all ages at many schools over the course of my teaching career. It features humorous lyrics that deliver a conservation message about whole animal or “nose to tail” eating (mindful consumption). Herring’s Head‘s call-and-response structure, extroverted attitude, and whimsy made it […]

The May 2015 issue of Choral Journal features an article titled “About the Music: An Interview with Ann Howard Jones” by Sean Burton. You can read it in its entirety online at acda.org/choraljournal. Click “Search Archives” and choose May 2015 from the dropdown menu. Below is an excerpt from that article._____________________________ What was your childhood formation as a […]

I came across a recent post in a very prominent choral director’s Facebook group (with 30,000+ members) that asks:  “What are your simple, short rules that you post for choir?” It seemed like a simple question but I was really frustrated by some of the responses from my fellow choral directors. Some of the rules […]

#59: “The Bike Let Loose” by Edie Hill
Poetry by Serena Fusek
SSAA, piano

“Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” Francis of Assisi Last week, we finished our Mark Twain February inspirations. For March, I thought quotes from a few Saints might help get us on the right track for the month. Those of us with church positions began […]

“We first make our habits, and then our habits make us.” John Dryden “Another Op’nin, Another Show” It’s that time of year here in Central New York – musical season.  Each year it always amazes me how the talented and dedicated students and a team of directors turn books full of words and music into […]

As we enter the third decade of the twenty-first century, the time has come for music educators to stop pussyfooting around and advocate for Universal Music Education. Indeed, it is long past time. We should stop wasting valuable time – time that belongs to us and to the children in our care – we should […]

_____________________________ Choral Journal’s ongoing column called Choral Conversations” features interviews with noted choral conductors and composers. The seventh interview in this series took place with Rosephanye Powell in the March 2020 issue. You can read the interview in its entirety online at acda.org/choraljournal. Click “Search Archives” and choose March 2020 from the dropdown menu._____________________________ What is […]

Ice-breakers can be a great way to help a choir to bond; but they can also be the source of anxiety and struggle within our ensemble. Ice-breakers MAY appear to be effective as they are happening, but they can also negatively impact certain students. This blog post explains the underlying reasons WHY Ice-Breakers Fail AND offers solutions to have more […]