Latest Blog Posts

“Professionalism in art has this difficulty: To be professional is to be dependable, to be dependable is to be predictable, and predictability is esthetically boring – an anti-virtue in a field where we hope to be astonished and startled and at some deep level refreshed.” John Updike I have struggled for a long time with […]

I’m writing this blog on a, yet-again-warm, “fall” day in the south. The sun is shining, it’s nearly 90 degrees outside, and I’m happily glancing out a window with my office door open just in case a student wants to drop into office hours. Why all the random details? Well, if you have never lived […]

“We are in a zone, having let go of the outer world, and now experiencing a feeling of unity.” Nicolai Bachman In the final days before last week’s opening concert of the season, I reminded singers often:  “Don’t miss the concert.” No, I wasn’t talking about forgetting to show up—I was making the point that […]

The October 2023 issue of Choral Journal is online and features an article titled “Treble Repertoire for Soprano and Alto Choirs: A Content Analysis of Choral Journal Repertoire Articles from 1966 to 2019” by Alicia Canterbury Vorel and Elizabeth Hearn. Following is a portion from the article. _________________ As an official publication of ACDA, the Choral Journal (CJ) […]

October can be both a PRODUCTIVE and FUN month in your choir. Don’t miss the opportunity to utilize HALLOWEEN and all of its festivities to engage your students, build community DEVELOP SOME ADVANCED MUSICAL SKILLS! CHECK OUT MY BLOG POST: 11 Choir Halloween Tricks (and Treats)

“Fine Manners need the support of fine manners in others.” Ralph Waldo Emerson Fine manners are really not about showing off but showing respect for others. When you are shown respect, you become respectful. My late mother used to tell us, having good manners was not showing off how ‘fancy’ you are but showing respect […]

The October 2023 issue of Choral Journal is online and features an article titled “Choral Pedagogical Tools and Vocal Exercises: A Practical Guide to Teaching Handel’s Messiah” by Zerrin Agabigum Martin. Following is a portion from the article. _________________ Within the choral canon, Handel’s Messiah is one of the most frequently performed works by non-professional choral ensembles. While […]

“The best effort of a fine person is felt after we have left their presence.” Ralph Waldo Emerson The term “choral ethics” has always confused me. Do we as choral conductors and directors have ethics?  Do we need ethics?  The Presbyterian Association of Musicians, as do other denominations musicians’ organizations, has a code of ethics. […]

In episode 25 of ChoralEd, Dr. Nathan Dame shares creative approaches to moveable-do sight-reading.  When implementing moveable-do in the classroom, Dr. Dame encourages a sequential instructional approach that develops musicianship skills.  For the beginning choir, this instructional sequence includes: Step 1: Count Rhythms Step 2: Figure out starting solfège based on the key signature Step […]

“Our intention creates our reality.” Wayne Dyer We sit or get grounded in a comfortable position. We begin to breathe. We acknowledge our busy minds, without judging or criticizing, and let the breath do its magic. Creating space for good with the inhale, letting go of what we no longer need with the exhale.  A […]