Latest Blog Posts
Choral Ethics: Let There Be Peace on Earth
“This will be our reply to violence: to make music more intensely, more beautifully, more devotedly than ever before.” Leonard Bernstein For the month of December, I’m rerunning some Choral Ethics blogs from years past with a few modifications where needed. Today’s is THE MOST REQUESTED December Blog or ANY Blog. It is especially appropriate […]
The Conductor as Yogi: An Encouragement
As I sat down to write this last CAY blog post of the year, I contemplated various topics but kept coming back to an overriding sense that what we all need right now is Encouragement, capital E. At the root of the word “encourage” is the French “coeur” or heart. Encouragement is a way of […]
Useful Vocal Ped Tips, Elementary Musicianship Building, Music Education Theories and More!
Subscribe for free and never miss out on the conversation. The show is on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube or ANY podcast player! Last month might have been the best yet! Happy Holidays! What a wild and festive season it’s been. We had some BLOCKBUSTER episodes, some internet drama that both did some damage, and brought a lot of […]
Choral Ethics: Christmastime Is Here
“Christmas is a season not only of rejoicing but of reflection.” Winston Churchill I’m rerunning some Choral Ethics blogs from years past with a few modifications where needed. Two of my MOST REQUESTED December Blogs will also be making their yearly appearances. In a few days, it will be Christmas Eve. Your plans have been […]
Exploring Mindful Breathing in Elementary Music Classes
Elizabeth Weismehl teaches K-5 General Music and Choir at Avoca West School in Glenview, IL, and directs Voices Rising at the Midwest Youth Artists Conservatory in Ft. Sheridan, IL. _ _ _ _ _ _ “Ms. Weismehl! Ms. Weismehl!” a second grader blurted out with her hand raised. I was in mid-sentence, and the flow […]
Choral Ethics: “………and the tongue of the dumb shall sing”
I’m rerunning some Choral Ethics blogs from years past with a few modifications where needed. Two of my MOST REQUESTED December Blogs will be making their yearly appearances, including today’s. Happy December! ~MLGA I love “Messiah”. Truth be told, it is probably one of my favorite large choral works. There’s a little something for everyone–from […]
Growing Young Musicians in Elementary Music with Chy Billings
Nothing we do as choral singers, directors teachers, music appreciators and consumers would be possible without the “garden” that grows our young musicians in elementary school. Music as a language grows best in the early years. Let’s water the garden. This week, Elementary general music and choir director, Chy Billings from Olathe, KS joins me […]
Choral Ethics: Why Music?
“Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything.” Plato Why do we love music? And why make it our life’s work? I’ve been pondering this question as I organize some of my ChoralNetters favorite holiday […]
Summary of “Advocacy for the Choral Art: Empowering Our Communities” – an Advocacy & Collaboration Monthly Blog Post
I am really trying to embrace ChatGPT, and other AI tools, partially because I don’t want my students cheating, but really because we all need to prepare for how AI will impact our future. So, I try to instill not just concepts but critical thinking and life skills into every lesson. Hopefully students will then […]
Choral Ethics: Being Grateful
“I am grateful for what I am and have. My thanksgiving is perpetual.” Henry David Thoreau Today’s Choral Ethics blog is a revisit and one of Choral Ethics most requested blogs, edited to be timely. Happy Thanksgiving, ChoralNet! ~MLGA I always try to be grateful, and I remain grateful, despite much upheaval in our world. […]