Latest Blog Posts

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, Stan Schmidt, Host of Going Beyond Words offers to listeners on ACDA Radio and ChoralNet the second in the series of Advent and Christmas programs.    There are 16 carols of varied styles that will attract your ears from six countries plus two selections to reflect the start of Chanukah December 10th.  There are […]

Don’t let a well-prepared musical program turn into an average concert in the eyes of an audience member. I’ve made my list, will you check it twice? If your concert is coming up next week, this week, or even TONIGHT, these 17 things should be on your RADAR! 17 (Last Minute) Things to Avoid – […]

Choral Clarity Blog Presents: Do you want your singers to maximize their caroling experience? If you do, these 14 tips will be impactful! 14 Tips for Choir Caroling with Seasonal Spirit It’s not what we do….it’s how and why we do it! Make this activity even more meaningful! https://choralclarity.com/14-tips-for-choir-caroling-with-seasonal-spirit/ P.S. If you are looking for some standard, solid (and […]

Dad (Charles Grass) on left, Bob Fosse on right, age 12 as “The Riff Brothers” “If you think you can do better, then do better. Don’t compete with anyone; just yourself.” Bob Fosse Today is my father’s 90th birthday. He is still with us, still sharp as a tack, still very independent and still telling […]

Host Stan Schmidt invites you to hear the U.S. broadcast premiere of Oratorium Nativitatis by Slovenian composer Damijan Močnik. This Going Beyond Words premiere is heard now on ACDA Radio and ChoralNet.   Four years ago this talented composer allowed Going Beyond Words to premiere his Passion according to St. John. There are three important CDs to be heard on this broadcast. […]

Choral Clarity Blog Presents: It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Caroling can be the most wonderful day during the most wonderful time of our school year! Here are 11 Reasons Why Your Choir Should Go School Caroling This Year! 11 Reasons Why Your Choir Should Go School Caroling This Year! P.S. For the […]

“Though the sex to which I belong is considered weak you will nevertheless find me a rock that bends to no wind.” Queen Elizabeth I From the very beginning of writing my regular Blog, I have debated whether Choral Ethics should address sexual harassment issues. And almost from the beginning of my writing Choral Potpourri, […]

This week on ACDA Radio and ChoralNet, Host Stan Schmidt invites you to celebrate a composer who ranks right up with Johann Sebastian Bach.   He was born in 1567, his Name Claudio Monteverdi….The question is?….how can you do justice in just 59 minutes?…..well you can’t …..but your ear will gather in music from two Operas […]

Choral Clarity Blog Presents: If we truly want to help ALL singers in our choir to become great sight-singers, we must first assess their underlying skills. From there, we must provide clear and tangible baby steps to guide them toward improvement. Successful sight-singing requires several isolated fundamental skills. Let’s divide and conquer before we assess their […]