Latest Blog Posts

“It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.” Henry David Thoreau I don’t know how often we think of ourselves as “wise.”  That word seems reserved for the sages, the super seniors with long beards or gentle voices and twinkling eyes, sharing mic-drop pearls that stop us in our tracks. Yet, […]

The March/April 2024 issue of Choral Journal is online and features an article titled “Emotion and Drama in Lament for the Stolen (1938)” by Dan Wessler. Following is a portion from the article. _________________ In 1930, wealthy Philadelphia socialite Sophie Drinker joined a small women’s chorus called the Montgomery Singers and immediately asserted control, moving rehearsals to her house […]

I am taking a bit of a Choral Ethics break for the next few weeks and this is a Choral Ethics Blog repeat. In observance of Autism Acceptance Month, I am repeating, during the next two weeks, two requested blogs on music and disability. If you have a Choral Ethics dilemma or query or comment, […]

The March/April 2024 issue of Choral Journal is online and features an article titled “Universal Design for Learning: Embracing Learner Variability in Choral Ensembles” by Kathryn L. Evans. Following is a portion from the article. _________________ Our choirs are composed of individuals with diverse experiences and a wide range of abilities, learning preferences, and interests. To best meet […]

Is “Tough Love” outdated? Or is it the tool of caring parents and educators? Recently, a “Facebook post dialogue” of sorts went viral amongst music educators between Juilliard professor Geoffrey Keezer and James Falzone. Professor Keezer made a relatively short post related to the problems he is seeing in his teaching position related to reliability […]

“People don’t mind being mean; but they never want to be ridiculous.” Moliere Another week, another group of emails. The emails I usually receive are about similar dilemmas and sometimes I wonder if it’s the phase of the moon or something. Perhaps it’s just that certain times of the choral year present similar problems for […]

In the adventure that is the adolescent voice much attention is given to the male changing voice.  While the male voice change is more drastic in terms of pitch fluctuation, the female voice change deserves equal attention.  In episode 31, Dr. Jamea Sale discusses the phases of the female voice change and provides resources to […]

ChorTeach is ACDA’s quarterly online publication, designed for those who work with singers of all levels but specifically K-12 and community choirs. A full annotated ChorTeach index is available online at acda.org/publications/chorteach. Over 160 articles are organized into seventeen categories. For more information, email  or visit acda.org/chorteach. Following is an excerpt from an article in the Winter 2024 issue […]

Queens is one of the most diverse places in the world. How can music serve as a “common language” for diverse students? This week, I am joined by Shanan Estreicher, a middle and elementary music teacher in Queens, New York. Shanan is also a composer, and songwriter who has found a magic formula to reach […]

I am taking a bit of a Choral Ethics break for the next few weeks and this is a Choral Ethics Blog repeat. My Dad died on February 29, which seemed appropriate. If you have a Choral Ethics dilemma or query or comment, please email me: and I’ll respond when I am able. ~Love, […]