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  A few other vocal issues to consider in terms of intonation: Extremes of range – moving to the top of any singer’s range will be a challenge–vocally and therefore for intonation as well. This is an area that needs the kind of long-term vocal work that I’ve already described: vocalizes that help singers learn […]

(wikipedia.org)   As conductors, both we and our ensembles generate a tremendous amount of information – some of it in aural or visual performance, some of it in our research and program notes, and some in our presentations, journal notes and articles for professional organizations. In the past, we had only two options when it […]

Except for a very few holdouts, the academic year is over.  Time for a little rest and rejuvenation.  A change of scenery is in order, as is some time for reflection.  Here, then, is a little something to ponder from your hammock.  The following is by Kevin Peter Hand, a planetary scientist/astrobiologist in Pasadena, California […]

(An excerpt from the article, “Unprofessional Airmanship Redefined” by Robert Mark on May 6th, 2013   Though the following comments are from an article on professional aviators, they are applicable to professionalism in every walk of life – including choral conductors.          Professionalism is a way of thinking about your work. Professionals don’t just […]

(An excerpt from the Choral Journal article, “The Canzonets of Giles Farnaby,” by James McCray.)          Giles Farnaby was born about 1565 although the actual date is not known. Because his music does not occur in The Triumphs of Orialla, many scholars believed his death to be about 1600, but recent investigation puts it […]

(An excerpt from the Choral Journal article, “Voice Lessons for Your Choir,” by Gene Grier.)          Beautiful tone is the desired result of all good singing. Understanding the vocal mechanism and its unique capabilities will lead to this result. Good singers need to develop an awareness of 1) breath control, 2) tonal support, 3) […]

(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. […]

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, […]

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. […]