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How does one obtain vowel unification in an ensemble? How do your singers know what you want? During a performance how do you communicate to the singers that the [a] needs to sound more like the [a] in the word “father”. Using gestures is helpful to any singer and may even be necessary for those […]

The latest issue of Choral Journal is available online! 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 issue. If you are not already a member of ACDA, join today to start receiving your […]

Week 20: Friday, August 3, 2018 “Ave Maria” by Gustav Holst Marian antiphon SSAA/SSAA, a cappella This blog on ChoralNet is now 20 weeks old, just slightly older than my infant son (currently 13 weeks!). So far, much of the repertoire has been from the 20th and 21st centuries, with one week each of the […]

In memory of Rose Marie Ditto Grass, November 24, 1927 to July 29, 2014 A few years ago, I decided I would write a book about something I now call “Choral Ethics.” A few things motivated me, including a rather unpleasant encounter at a community arts event with a choral colleague.  Nothing seemed to provoke […]

Going Beyond Words and ACDA Radio/ChoralNet invites you to another In Memoriam broadcast as we salute one of America’s most revered and adored conductors, director, arranger, and teacher. Listen to hear why he was appreciated so much by so many other musicians. Robert Romeo DeCormier, Jr., an arranger for folk and pop stars died on November 7, […]

Article written by Jamea Sale, Contributing Author of DevelopingVoices.blog Two videos attached for your reading enhancement ~ My favorite part of being a voice teacher is working with “Changing Voice Girls.” An email arrived this morning from Becca (8th grade) who has an audition for a select 9-12 girls touring chorus. She’s been making bi-weekly […]

Image via The following is written by Dale Rieth,  _________ With all of the recent attention to the International Conductor’s Exchange Program and specifically this year’s pipeline to Kenya, I wanted to share an historical perspective from my own Kenyan research in the 1990’s.  In fact, this article might serve as a “prequel” to today’s […]

By Erika Lockwood Don’t you just love summer? In May and June, I dream about all of the things I will accomplish during summer break – gardening, trips, relaxing with a good book, being outdoors, organizing my choral library. I’m sure I’m not alone in longing for more time to get organized with my music, […]

Week 19: Friday, July 27, 2018  “Le Sommeil de l’Enfant Jésus” arr. Ron Jeffers Traditional French carol SSA, a cappella This is a favorite carol of mine to program. Over the last decade, I have used it for three different choirs, at two different schools. Ron Jeffers’ a cappella setting of this 13th century French […]

“Failing to plan is planning to fail.” Alan Lakein  The one thing I know for sure about holding auditions is this; you have to plan. If you are the one auditioning, it’s not always necessary for you to plan; you just show up on time and do what is asked of you. If you need […]