Latest Blog Posts

MUSIC CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND SO CAN YOU! by Heather MacDonald (Volunteer & Community Engagement Director, United Way of Salt Lake City)          The mission of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) is to inspire excellence in choral music through education, performance, composition, and advocacy. The ACDA hosted their 2015 National Conference in […]

(An excerpt from the interest session “Choral Gems from the Musical Theatre Canon,” presented by William Sauerland and Brandon Adams during the 2015 ACDA National Conference.)   “I was born into a generation that still took light music seriously…the artists who performed them, the librettists who wrote them and the impresarios who presented them, their […]

FIVE FROM THE FOLDER: HIGH SCHOOL WOMEN’S CHOIR by Joel Karn   1. “Sing Creations Music On,” Stephen Paulus, Paulus Publications SP385 Very challenging rhythmically.  Vocally demanding piece.   2. “Abschiedslied der Zugvogel,” Felix Mendelssohn, National/NMP288 Beautiful melodic lines that can be used for developing a desired tone throughout the women’s vocal range.   3. […]

(An excerpt from the interest session “Models and Mentors: Leadership Development for Choral Conductors,” presented by Hilary Apfelstadt during the 2015 ACDA National Conference.)          As conductors, we fulfill multiple roles – musicians, scholars, educators, leaders, models and mentors.   All mentors are models, but all models are not mentors.          Historically, concepts of leadership […]

(An excerpt from the interest session "Honoring the 50th Anniversary of Chichester Psalms by Leonard Bernstein,” presented by Timothy Peter during the 2015 ACDA National Conference.)          As we look back on choral/orchestral repertoire that has been impactful, timeless, and relevant, we recognize the enduring success and popularity of Leonard Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms written […]

(An excerpt from the interest session “Brain-Friendly Strategies for Singer-Friendly Rehearsals,” presented by Charlene Archibeque & Debbie Glaze during the 2015 ACDA National Conference.)          The Brain loves and makes connections through variety and novelty.  Synapses fire and connections are made through new experiences and focused awareness.  The creative choral director must do everything […]

(An excerpt from the poster session “Musical Realization of an Ancient Poetic Prayer Form in the Penitential Psalms by Alfred Schnittke,” presented by Zhanna A. Lehmann during the 2015 ACDA National Conference.)          The texts of Alfred Schnittke’s Penitential Psalms appeared in a 1986 publication of the sixteenth century’s manuscripts of the ancient Rus’.1 […]

(An excerpt from the interest session “Reclaiming the Ancient Hymnal: the Art, Devotion and Practice of Psalm-Singing,” presented by Howard Helvey during the 2015 ACDA National Conference.)          I suspect that many of us find ourselves here: at those intersections between our professional training and chosen vocation, and with those subjects about we become […]

(An excerpt from the poster session “Effects of two conductor final release gestures on perceptions of individual singers’ vocal sound,” presented by Jeremy N. Manternach during the 2015 ACDA National Conference.)          ACDA conventions frequently include interest sessions on choral conducting gesture.  Given that these sessions often feature differing schools of thought, we have […]