Latest Blog Posts
Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: Important Enough
“Comfortable shoes and the freedom to leave are the two most important things in life.” Shel Silverstein How many times have you felt you weren’t important enough? Or put another way, how many times has someone made you feel unimportant? Donald* conducts a symphony chorus in a mid-sized city. It’s a nice job; he prepares […]
December Choral Journal Preview
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 […]
One from the Folder: Repertoire Thoughts for Women’s/Treble Choirs
#56: Friday, November 1, 2019
“Imagination” by Colin Britt
Text by Phillis Wheatley
SSAA, violin, piano
by Guest Contributor Dr. Brandon Williams
Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: Impatience
“Perhaps there is only one cardinal sin: impatience. Because of impatience we were driven out of Paradise, because of impatience we cannot return.” W. H. Auden Today is Halloween and I’d like to share a scary story with you. As you read it through, think about being in a similar situation and what YOU would […]
Choir Halloween – Very Last Minute Rehearsal Ideas!
Choir Halloween is here! Do you have a plan? No need to be scaaaaaaared. We have some booooooooootiful last minute ideas that will make it look like you had planned their Halloween rehearsal for weeks! Here is: Choir Halloween – Very Last MinuteRehearsal Ideas! Check out the Trick or Treat Round, on sale for just .85 a copy! This round […]
Notes for Success: Finding Repertoire
In May, August, and September 2015, the Choral Journal featured a three-part article series titled “Notes for Success: Advice for the First-Year Choral Teacher.” As part of the series, 11 choral conductors with teaching experience ranging from 4 to 34 years answered 10 questions related to setting expectations for your first year, classroom management, balancing a successful […]
Anyone can get an A in choir…
Is choir a real class? Can the group goals be balanced with the individual academic accountability that we owe to our students? I think the answer to all of this is yes. You can grade your students INDIVIDUALLY in sight singing to ensure that no one falls through the cracks, and stick to a rehearsal […]
Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: Old School or New?
“Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young.” Henry Ford A few weeks ago, I ran into a young friend and colleague in the grocery store. Both of us were pressed for time but wanted […]
The 5 “ROUNDS” I Use in My Choral Program Every Year – And WHY!
Last blog post discussed WHY Rounds are so useful; This week’s blog gets personal! I’m sharing the 5 rounds (plus one more) that I use with my high school choir every year, and WHY! I hope my WHY is helpful in choosing the right rounds for your program! Here are: The 5 “ROUNDS” I Use in My Choral Program Every Year – And […]
What is Written on Our Choral Welcome Mats? Moving Beyond Performative Culture Toward a More Just Society
The December 2018 issue of Choral Journal is now available online. Below is an excerpt of the article “What is Written on Our Choral Welcome Mats? Moving Beyond Performative Culture Toward a More Just Society” by John D. Perkins. You can read it in its entirety online at acda.org/choraljournal. Click “Search Archives” and choose December 2018 from the […]