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“The art of leadership is saying no, not saying yes. It is very easy to say yes.” Tony Blair As November ends, we head toward December. We will be expected to accomplish miracles this month by our students, other teachers, our choir members and even our families. Our choirs have concerts; and the semester is […]

This week on GBW and ACDA Radio/ChoralNet host Stan Schmidt helps us focus on your love of the Divine, Family and Country.  He adds a hour of significant music designed to lift your spirits and points you on to a wonderful Holiday season.  As you visit with loved ones you will enjoy such groups as […]

by Developing Voices Author Jennifer Berroth, Choral Director at Leawood Middle School, Leawood, Kansas. I’ve heard it said that teaching middle school puts one at the front of the line for sainthood. We’ve all had days on which we have earned that status. I have been teaching middle school choir for seven years, and in […]

The January issue of Choral Journal will be a preview of the 2019 National Conference in Kansas City, Feb 27-March 2. This issue will be available online December 1 and will contain the full listing of interest sessions and conference performances with dates and times, including specification of gold and blue tracks. This will be […]

Do you repeat your Christmas & Hanukkah music year after year? Well, if you don’t, you may want to read this blog post. Here are: The 8 Reasons Why I Chooseto Repeat the SAME Holiday Musicevery year!

By Amy Zucchi, Edco (an ACDA partner) This year, there are two things music lovers are doing: seeing Bohemian Rhapsody at the movies and donating to their favorite music organizations for #GivingTuesday. Now that they’ve seen Bohemian Rhapsody, they’re coming to donate. Are you prepared? #GivingTuesday, the biggest donation day of the year, is happening […]

“I am grateful for what I am and have. My thanksgiving is perpetual.” Henry David Thoreau I always try to be grateful. In this season of Thanksgiving, I am more grateful than usual. Perhaps our world is in upheaval but there is one thing I know for sure; there is plenty more Good than there […]

This week on GBW and ACDA Radio/ChoralNet host Stan Schmidt brings to the forefront the music of Gerald Finzi (1901-1956) with a Shakespeare song from his collection called Let Garlands Bring written for the birthday of Ralph Vaughan Williams on his birthday, October 12, 1942.  Then you will enjoy three selections from his Op 17 […]

What is the difference between rehearsal, the work accomplished corporately when the ensemble is gathered, and practice, the individual preparation each member engages between rehearsals? I believe the distinction to be a critically important one, especially in the world of excellent church choirs and high-achieving volunteer choruses.

The December 2015 issue of Choral Journal featured an interesting conversation with top conductors and singers in the United States. The panel included four conductors—Simon Carrington, Joshua Habermann, Simon Halsey, and Craig Hella Johnson—and five singers—Dashon Burton, Esteli Gomez, Kathryn Lewek, Kelley O’Connor, and Kyle Stegall. The author asked the panel questions about, among others, what qualities […]