Latest Blog Posts

“You are not a meditation failure; you just haven’t been taught yet.” Emily Fletcher A few months ago, I followed up on a book recommendation and read Stress Less, Accomplish More: Meditation for Extraordinary Performance.  I was intrigued by the title but also by the high-profile endorsers (such as Mark Hyman, M.D.) and the fact […]

The November/December 2023 issue of Choral Journal is online and features an article titled “Improving the Rehearsal Experience: Strategies for Success” by Matt Hill. Following is a portion from the article. _________________ Time is valuable, but rehearsal time is priceless. Each of us has the opportunity to make our rehearsals more effective in terms of teaching our singers […]

There are 8 reasons why I choose to repeat the same holiday music each year for my choir.   Before calling me lazy. read my blog post to understand  my rationale.   Whether you choose to follow in my footsteps or not is less important than understanding how this approach could help you to build […]

In a world characterized by constant social criticism and a perpetual desire for progress, the often-overlooked emotion of gratitude emerges as a powerful catalyst for personal and societal improvement. While constructive criticism and a drive for change are essential elements in fostering growth, without a foundation of gratitude for what we DO have, individuals and […]

I am taking a bit of a Choral Ethics break this week, and this is a repeat of an often requested Choral Ethics Blog. “I am grateful for what I am and have. My thanksgiving is perpetual.” Henry David Thoreau I always try to be grateful, and I remain grateful, despite much upheaval in our […]

The November/December 2023 issue of Choral Journal is online and features an article titled “’Tempo is Affect, Duration is Drama’: The Conducting Methodology of Carmen-Helena Téllez” by Brandon Hollihan. Following is a portion from the article. _________________ Dr. Carmen-Helena Téllez (1955-2021) was a force of nature in the world of choral and contemporary music. She is credited as […]

A large and GROWING free music literacy resource for music educators! View the Whole YouTube Playlist In the most recent episode, we have referenced a few resources, provided in the Patreon Google Folder. The “Science of Reading” refers to a large body of interdisciplinary evidence. The past 40 years has yielded tremendous, interdisciplinary insights into the process […]

“Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.” Victor Hugo  It is the most wonderful time of the year, so the song goes, and it is, really. But it is also one of the most difficult times of the year. There are challenges we may face, despite […]

When’s the last time you asked yourself why you chose this path? What makes you choose choir? Sitting in class last week we were diving into some of my favorite choral selections and the students were enamored – that look on their faces, that feeling I get when listening, the excitement that comes when the […]

The November/December 2023 issue of Choral Journal is online and features an article titled “Performing Sergei Rachmaninoff’s All-Night Vigil: An Interview with Conductors and Singers” by Vladimir Morosan. Following is a portion from the article. _________________ Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943) was a Russian composer and conductor considered to be “the last great figure of the tradition of Russian Romanticism […]