Latest Blog Posts

Of the many challenges facing singers, staying healthy is probably the most important of all! Many of the tips you are about to read, are things you already know. However, a few reminders may keep you in good voice for all your endeavors. The top three are hydration, herbal with honey and rest!

The January issue of Choral Journal is now available online at acda.org/choraljournal, and it should be arriving in mailboxes soon if not already. This issue is a preview of the 2019 National Conference in Kansas City, Feb 27-March 2. This will be an exciting conference, with tried-and-true offerings along with brand-new opportunities for networking, learning, […]

You’ve prepared your singers so well for their upcoming concert, BUT Have you focused on these 17 thingsthat could impact the success of your concert? Included in this blog post is a link to a free downloadable checklist for concert week! Here is the blog post: 17 (Last Minute) Things to Avoid – to Ensure a […]

#36: Friday, December 07, 2018
“Hail, Christmas Day” by Abbie Burt Betinis
Text by John Harris Burt
SSAA, a cappella

This joyful carol from Abbie Betinis is an earworm in the best sense of the word. More than once I found myself, and my singers, bouncing down the hallway to the opening melody. It is a spry combination of mixed asymmetrical meters, and certain to keep your singers on their toes. If you are looking for an uptempo, cheerful addition to your holiday concert, you’ve found it!

I love Messiah.  Truth be told, it is probably my favorite large choral work.  There’s a little something for everyone–from show piece arias to choruses that are both difficult and poignant to recitatives that move the story along while being musically interesting. The story that is told, using scriptures from both the Old and New […]

This week on Going Beyond Words and ACDA Radio/ChoralNet, host Stan Schmidt begins the first of four Advent/Christmas programs – your chance to hear traditional carols from over the spectrum of music history and to taste the same carols with new music tied to the same texts. You will also engage your listening skills on […]

Musicophilia (2007) explores the wonders of the brain, neuroscience and music. Oliver Sacks exudes enthusiasm about advances in neuroscience which enabled the visualization of the human brain under the influence of music.

The International Journal of Research in Choral Singing (IJRCS) is ACDA’s official scientific research publication. The second article in the 2018 Volume 6 is now live at acda.org/ijrcs. It contains the following article: “Identification of the Adolescent Male Voice: Unchanged vs. Falsetto“John Wayman, Department of Music, University of Texas at Arlington. The article’s abstract is below. AbstractThe purpose […]

 It’s not too late to additional holiday musicto your concert! I have 7 killer suggestions AND provide a fast and effective strategy for teaching each piece Most pieces can be downloaded instantly, in time for today’s rehearsal! Here are: 7 Last Minute Holiday Repertoire Ideas that Will work! Please consider joining our Choral Clarity Facebook Group, where we are building a community […]

#35. “Ad Amore” by Lee R. Kesselman. Text by Dante Alighieri. SSAA, unpitched bells.

This piece clocks in under 2 minutes, but it hits the ground running and keeps your attention the whole way. Festive fanfare rhythms, close harmonies, and lively unpitched bells, coupled with Dante’s spirited text, make “Ad Amore” an excellent choice for the opening of your next concert sequence.