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A premiere performance of “Alleluia, Cantate Domino” (Matsushita) by the Iowa State University Cantamus (Kathleen Rodde, conductor) during the 2013 ACDA National Conference in Dallas, Texas.

FIVE FROM THE FOLDER by Madlen Batchvarova   1.  "Bogoroditse Devo," Sergei Rachmaninoff, Musica Russica Ra028 A movement from the “All Night Vigil,” this homophonic unaccompanied setting of the Ave Maria text is a symbol the beauty of Orthodox sacred tradition, and the spirit of Romanticism.   2.  "Cherubic Hymn No.7," Dmitri Bortniansky, Musica Russica […]

Want to know how a collegiate choir is going to sound when they perform in eight years?  Look no farther than the elementary classroom today.  The fundamentals being taught in the early years of music education are THE determining factor for the success of our craft in the future.  Thus, we owe it to our […]

Every ensemble type carries with it a litany of opportunities and challenges.  As conductors, we are expected to understand the differences and be able to prepare accordingly.   Let’s ponder the size of the choir.  Sometimes we determine the number of singers based on the repertoire to be performed (a Mozart Requiem with twelve voices?  […]

With the exception of that which can be quantified – such as tempo and intonation – there are probably as many variables in choral music than there are absolutes.   Consider, for instance, formations.  Many of us are continually experimenting with the order in which our choirs stand during performance.  Yet, what works for one […]

Ready or not, here comes the new school year.   This is that delicious moment when our choirs are like compressed springs full of potential energy that we as their conductors must help them realize and focus in the best possible manner.  In his article, “Today is the First Day of the Rest of the […]

FIVE FROM THE FOLDER: MIDDLE SCHOOL MEN by Gretchen Harrison   1.  "Canto del Agua," David Hill, TTB, Alliance SMP 0834 This Venezuelan folk song is fun and full of teachable concepts.  GREAT bass line!  Absolutely appropriate for MS men's choirs.  There is lots of text so memorization can be tricky.   2.  "Tenting Tonight," […]

FIVE FROM THE FOLDER:  WOMEN’S VOICES by Katherine FitzGibbon   1. "Hoj, hura, hoj," Otmar Macha, SSAA, Alliance 8057890 Beautiful four-part a cappella mirroring echoes across a mountain, along with soloists. Fosters part independence.    2. "Herbstlied," Robert Schumann, SA, National WHC-54 "Greatest hit" of women's duet repertoire, with exciting parallel thirds and German text […]

(An excerpt from the Choral Journal article “You Got the Job – Now What?,” by Jessica Franchi)          Although getting your first job is extremely exciting, it can be overwhelming. Here are some pointers to give you a head start on things to think about and prepare with regard to your new position.        […]

(An excerpt from the Choral Journal article “John Rutter The Falcon: A Textual Analysis,” by Robert J. Ward)          The Falcon, Rutter’s first large scale choral and orchestral work, was written in 1969 while the composer was a post-graduate student at Clare College, Cambridge. The work is cast in three movements, and is scored […]