Latest Blog Posts

Going Beyond Words w/ Stan Schmidt Show 2009 – Like Father, Like Son As host for “Going Beyond Words” I’d like to invite you to our program this week when we examine choral music of a father and son from Sweden who write both classical and jazz choral music. For a look at the CD’s […]

We all have one….and it is usually one….the individual in the group that finds distinction by being the contrarian voice in the discussion. And while the investigation of opposition and a full 360-degree view of a topic is essential to good decision-making, in the social setting of a committee or board meeting, such a voice […]

ChorTeach is a benefit of membership in the American Choral Directors Association. This publication is released online every quarter and contains 4-5 practical articles that focus on a range of topics from the classroom, rehearsals, to a section I like to call “conductor self-improvement.” New this month is an all-inclusive ChorTeach index, complete with previews […]

With only four weeks left to apply for the 2017 ICEP of the Americas program, now is most certainly the time to consider how this incredible ACDA initiative could impact you and the communities you serve. Since taking over as director of ICEP in 2012, I have always been surprised by the number of people who tell […]

Malcolm Gilbert, ninth grade choral director from NY and member of Choir Nation, explains his process for context-based sight singing that you can apply to your teaching any time. Pattern Sheet (mentioned in episode) available for download to Patreon supporters at www.patreon.com/findyourforte LISTEN HERE JOIN CHOIR NATION ON FACEBOOK  

Here are 4 ways to make sure you don’t get hit with the lack-of-routine summer funk! LISTEN HERE SHOW NOTES AND RELEVANT LINKS JOIN CHOIR NATION ON FACEBOOK

“Sometimes our light goes out but is blown into flame by another human being. Each of us owes deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this light.” Albert Schweitzer The choral year is winding down with the academic calendar closing, the concert year finishing and church choir year ending with Pentecost or Trinity Sunday. My […]

Going Beyond Words w/ Stan Schmidt A Fountain of Voices Join Stan Schmidt for his next installment of “Going Beyond Words” for a program called “A Fountain of Voices.” Be ready for one surprise after another, as you hear music from England, Portugal, Scotland, Germany, Russia and America. For a look at the CD’s used […]

Recently I decided to create my own mission statement for my work as a choral director. I had worked through the process of defining a mission statement with our ACDA membership for our work as an Association, and I thought it would be interesting and informative to try the same thing for my own choral […]

In May, August, and September 2015, the Choral Journal featured a three-part article series titled “Notes for Success: Advice for the First-Year Choral Teacher.” As part of the series, 11 choral conductors with teaching experience ranging from 4 to 34 years answered 10 questions related to setting expectations for your first year, classroom management, balancing […]