Latest Blog Posts

Going Beyond Words w/ Stan Schmidt Show 2246 – Requiem For The Living By Dan Forrest This week on ACDA Radio, host Stan Schmidt leads you to more touching music by American composer Dan Forrest. You will hear three interpretations of his Requiem, and new selections by this highly respected composer. Pieces include “Abide”, “Cantate Conticum Novum”, and Requiem For […]

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 version. You can also read our electronic version. Below is a preview of just some of the articles you will find in this issue. If you are not already a member of ACDA, join […]

Jimmy…A lesson in what really matters. People say that teachers have an indelible impact on the lives of the students they teach. Well…So often during my 25 year career in public school choral music education, it has been the other way around. …Like the time one of my most talented boys opted to leave the […]

5 things to keep in mind when student teaching with a choral director. I want you to make the most of you student teaching opportunity, and I want your cooperating teacher to want to take on more student teachers in the future, so don’t screw this up!!   CLICK TO LISTEN   My Bullet Points […]

“No art is less spontaneous than mine. What I do is the result of reflection and the study of the great masters.” Edgar Degas  “That was lovely! So effortless and fun.” “What beautiful singing. They just opened their mouths and out it came!” “Your choir sings so well. Do they ever practice together?” How many […]

[Image via] ChorTeach is ACDA’s online magazine for choral directors and music educators, designed for those who work with amateur singers at all levels. Topics are covered across the range of the choral art. Below are previews of four articles that have been featured in past issues of ChorTeach. You can read and download the […]

Time to take responsibility for your own choral experience and help grow Choir Nation by not sucking anymore. In this post, I explore the common problems I see in the choral world and propose solutions.   Why such a harsh title? I posted a teaser image, containing this title, on Facebook a while back and received […]

“Unless a tree has borne blossoms in spring, you will vainly look for fruit on it in autumn.” Walter Scott We in academia (or those following a choral year) plant our seeds in the fall, watch our ensembles begin to blossom in winter and early spring and harvest our fruit (concerts or the end of […]

Going Beyond Words w/ Stan Schmidt Show 2242 – In Memoriam Einojuhani Rautavaara This week on ACDA Radio, host Stan Schmidt invites you to a special edition as we salute the life of Finlands most revered composer since Jean Sibelius. His music employed mystical and romantic themes and he composed in many classical genres. Join me for […]

“The bulk of music teaching in this region centers around rote training and follows the model of the Royal School of Music system… It was more common than not for students to have incredible improvisational skills, beautiful voices, and the ability to perform on more than one instrument. Their creativity abounded and their enthusiasm was infectious.” In the August issue of Choral Journal, Christy Lee […]