Latest Blog Posts
CJ Replay: Sharing Objectives
(An excerpt from the Choral Journal article, “More Than an Agenda,” by Tim Fredstrom.) Choral directors can foster even stronger partnerships with their choir members if they occasionally ask them what their individual objectives are. For example, a choral director might say, “Yesterday we sang measures 40 to 72 unaccompanied and in tune. […]
Intonation VII – Rhythm & Ensemble
While I haven't exhausted the topic of voice and vowel, another area that intersects with intonation is that of rhythm/ensemble. As I mentioned early on, poor (or excellent) intonation has many potential causes. That's why we have to diagnose correctly what the underlying problem is and help the singers solve it, rather than just saying, […]
CJ Replay: Argento on Composing
An excerpt from the Choral Journal article, “Building a Well-Made House: An Interview with Dominick Argento,” by Jeffrey Douma) Douma: Do you find it helpful when you’re beginning a composition to have a particular artist or ensemble in mind? Argento: Oh yes. Not so much helpful as it is ~ way of focusing. […]
New “International Journal of Research in Choral Singing” Now Available
The Spring 2013 issue of the International Journal of Research in Choral Singing is now available! The current edition includes such articles as “The English Choral Tradition and the Secular Trend in Boys’ Pubertal Timing” (Ashley), “Changes in Tone Quality as a Function of Focus of Attention in Untrained Singers) (Atkins and Duke), “The […]
Intonation VI – More on Voice and Vowel
I talked last time about vowels. So, a bit more about voice training with your choir. All of you have choirs at a different levels, from a choir (of any age group) with no vocal training whatsoever to perhaps a university or professional choir of trained singers. While one has to deal with vocal […]
Saturday Respite: Laughter to Start Summer Break
Monkeying around with the classics is rarely a smart move. But these talented comedic artists obviously hold the original material (used in this column last week) in the highest respect, as this is really well done. It’s Memorial Day weekend. Here’s wishing everyone a safe and restful summer break!
Saturday Respite: Classic . . . and Hilarious
Yes, it's been around a long time, but it's brilliant and still hilarious!