Latest Blog Posts
Choral Singers “In the Zone”: Toward Flow Through Score Study and Analysis
In the December 2016 issue of Choral Journal, author Christopher Walters wrote an article titled “Choral Singers ‘In the Zone’: Toward Flow Through Score Study and Analysis.” Psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi first coined the term “flow” in 1975, describing a type of “optimal experience” where “a distinct period of ostensibly effortless action seems to stretch or […]
From Russia with grace, with Elena Sharkova
This is a fascinating interview with renowned Russian conductor, Elena Sharkova. In it, Elena describes her musical journey growing up in the USSR and how she was pigeon-holed to be a musician since the age of 6. We compare and contrast US educational principles with those she was raised with, and find out how she […]
Choral Potpourri: Choral Ethics; Apologies
“It is a good rule in life never to apologize. The right sort of people do not want apologies, and the wrong sort take a mean advantage of them.” P. G. Wodehouse I am a great believer in apologies. If we do or say something to hurt someone else, and we care about them, we […]
Avoid Ripoffs – Plan It Yourself!
Choir Clarity Blog presents: Avoid Ripoffs – Plan It Yourself! There are so many ways we can enrich our students’ choral experience by providing unique external performing opportunities and working with guest clinicians. While many advertised experiences cost huge sums of money, this article provides alternate way for enrichment that still involve travel, performing, and outstanding […]
Creating Choirs that Welcome Transgender Singers
The November 2016 issue of Choral Journal included an article written by Jane Ramseyer Miller titled “Creating Choirs that Welcome Transgender Singers.” This was adapted and revised from the California ACDA newsletter. There has been much conversation about the topic of gender as it relates to choral music classrooms, and some of this was discussed […]
Sixth Graders in your Choral Music Classroom
Here in Georgia, I lead classes for all three grades of the middle school years-sixth, seventh and eighth. I love getting to experience their growth during the three years, but my teaching improved a lot when I really this important fact: 6th, 7th and 8th graders are vastly different. For sixth graders, the world […]
The rise of the choral middle class, with Adam Paltrowitz
In this interview, I get a chance to sit down with another choral blogger and content creator, Adam Paltrowitz, who is breaking new ground in the world of “self-selected” ensembles. This episode with make you think about the emphasis you choose to place on the choral “elite” at your school. Listen at ryanguth.com
Choral Potpourri: Choral Ethics; Understanding How to Succeed
“Baseball is like church. Many attend, few understand.” Leo Durocher In the event you’ve been living under a rock, we here in Chicago are having a better than usual year, baseball-wise, and are pretty proud of it. I happen to (usually) cheer for Our Town’s other team but this year am rooting for The Cubbies […]
Choral Concert Live
Going Beyond Words w/ Stan Schmidt Show 3122: Choral Concert Live Going Beyond Words presents another broadcast in its series called Choral Concert Live. Featured this week are two high school choirs whose programs were presented at the ACDA North Central Division Conference in Sioux Falls, SD, February 2016. Featured on this episode are the Roosevelt […]
CJ Replay: The Life and Works of Four Female Canadian Composers
In October 2015, the Choral Journal featured an article on the life and works of four female Canadian composers: Kathleen Allen, Sarah Quartel, Stephanie Martin, and Ramona Luengen. The choral culture of Canada is vibrant and diverse, and readers will appreciate the opportunity to read about the life and works of these established and “up […]