Latest Blog Posts

“If we ever get to the polls once, you will never get us home.” Anna Howard Shaw Today Choral Potpourri brings you Sexism Stories from several ChoralNetters. Most of their stories aren’t long, but they are telling. Geraldine* heretofore known as “Gerry” was hired by a community college to be their choral director. When interviewed, […]

By Rebecca Lord Tired of reading long lists? Overwhelmed with too many ideas, platforms, and resources? Need immediate, workable solutions for your choir during the pandemic? Then this article is for you. The recommendations included are tried and true, offered by those among us who have blazed the trails with their choirs through the early […]

By Ramona M. Wis “Better breathing means a better and healthier life.”  B.K.S. Iyengar Singers are professional breathers.  We take what is a normal part of our human functioning and turn it into a specialized art.  But have we perfected breath for the art of wellness, as well as singing? I have been singing for a long time, […]

When Science gets thrust to the center of our artistic world, how do we react, how do we gather info, and how do we decide? An enlightening conversation about our singing with Covid situation with Nick Sienkiewicz. Nick is a young colleague preparing to earn his Masters in Choral Conducting at IU Bloomington. But before […]

“Women work harder. And women are more honest; they have less reasons to be corrupt.” Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Last week, I mentioned I’d be sharing sexist stories ChoralNetters have been emailing me since I began writing Choral Potpourri five years ago. Today I share a story not from a ChoralNetter, but a colleague I met […]

By Pat Guth When you’ve taken on the reins of a non-auditioned choir or – in my case – purposely formed one from scratch, you shoulder a plethora of challenges that conductors of auditioned or professional choirs will never face. Some of these challenges can be quite tricky, especially when you’re keen to welcome everyone […]

By Ramona M. Wis “All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.” Julian of Norwich (1342-1416), Christian mystic I have loved these words since I first heard them in Joan Szymko’s “Vivos Voco” for women’s voices.  I began using this phrase in March as my email sign […]

The newest issue of Choral Journal is available online. It is a focus from ACDA’s Standing Committee for Education & Communication. 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. […]

How can we streamline the rehearsal process to make the most of student contact time? If you are like me, you have seen a TON of ideas for online activities to keep our choirs engaged. And that’s wonderful! We need as many tools in our belt as we can get. However, what about the times […]

“Through persistent dedication, Susan B. Anthony, and other remarkable leaders, women were finally granted the right to vote in 1920.” Louise Slaughter One hundred years ago this month, women in the United States were granted the right to vote. I say “granted” because that’s what many folks say, like the right to vote was a […]