Latest Blog Posts

“She was one of the people who say ‘I don’t know anything about music really, but I know what I like.’ ” Sir Max Beerbohm in “Zuleika Dobson” Last fall, longtime ChoralNetter Lulu* contacted me. She has always been a supporter of my Choral Ethics Project and suggested I start including something about the hiring […]

As the American Choral Directors Association anticipates our biennial National Leadership Conference in early June, our thinking is focused on innovation. As I try to describe our mission and work in a single line, this is what I come up with: “We evoke sounds through a community of singers for the satisfaction of unique human […]

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 […]

In today’s Technique Tuesday, learn the secrets to crushing it at choral competitions used each season by yours truly (the only guy in history to perform an encore at the Music in the Parks festival).  Show Notes (Topics discussed within the episode) LISTEN HERE   Planning Stage Choose appropriate repertoire (tempos, solos, accompaniments) Warm-up selection or not? Preparing […]

Sundra Flansburg, ACDA’s Director of Membership Development, provides some insight into the changes happening around ChoralNet!

                          “Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness, you have good manners, no matter what fork you use.” Emily Post   Beginning next week and the rest of the month of May, we will explore a Choral Ethics way of looking at the hiring—and firing—of choral directors. […]

    “Use what talents you possess: the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best.”  Henry Van Dyke I am delighted ACDA has taken the position of encouraging choirs for all; all ages and all abilities.  I have a very good reason for being happy because I […]

Many agencies continue to make the case that choral music contributes to the cultural and wellness life of nearly every community in the country. Choirs are frequently cited as helping to foster social connectedness in a nation that is experiencing a decline in community engagement and a growing divide in socio-economic levels. The American Choral […]

Stevie Berryman, of Stevie Be Music, explains how she goes beyond programming to create concert experiences that entertain, sell out, and create raving fans. She gives examples of her own concert experiences and breaks down the essential elements.   Listen   Standard bio: Stevie Berryman has been the Artistic Director and Conductor for Houston Chamber […]

The choirs of Lincoln University and of Haverford and Bryn Mawr Colleges will be coming together for a concert and panel discussion called “Race Matters – Singing Across the Color Line” on Saturday, April 16 from 2:00-5:00 at the Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral. The event will be live-streamed at www.philadelphiacathedral.org