Latest Blog Posts

If you use this midterm as a basis to determine the success of your choir, I guarantee you will get an accurate read on your students’ progress and the potential for future results. The Ultimate Choir Midterm Exam   This 9 question exam will take less than 5 minutes and can be done without paper […]

Today in the United States we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr Day. In remembrance of King’s dream for racial equality, I want to draw your attention to a few resources relevant to this topic. Last year I posted a ChoralNet blog previewing a 2016 Choral Journal article “On Our Way: Programming a Martin Luther King […]

“Dare to be honest and fear no labor.” Robert Burns Last week, I told you the theme for the Choral Potpourri/ Choral Ethics January Blogs would center on the Try Method. Instead of New Year’s resolutions, I am trying four different strategies to change my life for the better. I reasoned four different ways of […]

Going Beyond Words host, Stan Schmidt has prepared program on ACDA Radio and ChoralNet and exhibits two new CD’s one on the Ondine Label featuring the music of Pēteris Vasks called “Laudate Dominum” presenting the Latvian Radio Choir and Sinfonietta of Riga under the Baton of Sigvards Kḻava. There are five compositions written between 2013 […]

Our students have just come off the high of their winter concert, followed by a well-deserved break. Now they are back to regular seats, marking music, starting all over again and waiting their turn to be attended to. Here are some unique tips and strategies for making January a productive and exciting month for our students. […]

ChorTeach is ACDA’s quarterly online magazine for choral directors and music educators. The articles in each issue are gleaned from ACDA state and division newsletters and from submissions. ChorTeach is specifically designed for those who work with amateur singers and are looking for practical material to apply to classrooms and rehearsals. Below is a preview of the articles […]

“Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.” Ralph Waldo Emerson Happy New Year, ChoralNet Folks! We here at Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics will start the New Year blogs this January as we often do; with a theme. As we begin a new year, many of us make resolutions. […]

Going Beyond Words host, Stan Schmidt has prepared an enjoyable program taking you into 2018 on ACDA Radio and ChoralNet with a little light Jazz, two English Folk Songs, A Winter Classic by John Rutter and a Royal Welcome for King James II by Henry Purcell. You will hear a jazz arrangement by Bob Chilcott […]

CAUTION: DO NOT HAND OUT CONCERT MUSIC FOR YOUR SPRING PROGRAM. It could be hazardous to your program! I know you may be excited to start on new repertoire, but I urge you to slow down! Read this BEFORE handing out new music! Read this BEFORE handing out new music!  

Happy 2018! Last year seemed to fly by, and here we are at the beginning of a brand-new year. The January 2018 issue of Choral Journal features a preview of the six regional conferences that will be happening in February and March 2018. For more information about these upcoming events and how to get registered, […]