Latest Blog Posts
CJ Replay: Women’s Choral Music
(From the Choral Journal article “Literature of Quality for the Treble Choir” by Raymond Sprague) All choirs should perform literature of high quality; yet as I search for music for my women’s choir, I am accosted by musical pap of the lowest caliber. Insipid texts, bland rhythms, static or predictable harmonic structures, and […]
CJ Replay: Musical Life in Russia
(From the Choral Journal article “An Interview with Vladislav Chernushenko, Director of the Saint Petersburg Conservatory and Glinka Cappella” by John Stuhr-Rommereim) [Responding to the current need of Russian music education . . . ] From my vantage point, the current needs of music education in Russia are first and foremost material in nature. […]
Help Me Find Conducting Videos
This is an appeal to the robust choral community out there. I am looking for old video of historically important choral conductors conducting, preferrably in rehearsal, but also in performance. The older the better. I think the pool of video out there on youtube just isn't deep enough, and we as a community probably could […]
Jack of All Trades…
I just got back from a photo shoot for a campaign we are putting together to bring more men into our program. At the shoot, I had 10 ties of various types, safety pins, binder clips, studs and cufflinks, and extra jacket buttons. I was pinning coats and tying ties all over the place. The […]
Composition Spotlight: Among the Signs
Composition Spotlight ~ by Jack Senzig (Each week we look at a piece of useful repertoire from the ChoralNet Community Composition Showcase. A variety of voicings and levels of difficulty will be presented. Enjoy!) Among the Signs by Robinson McClellan for SAB a cappella (click for PDF, audio, or perusal video) Level: Small […]
Scholarly Abstractions: Comparing Kodály Resources
Box, Corrie Ann. A Qualitative Comparison of “The Kodály Method” by Lois Choksy and “Kodály Today” by Michael Houlahan and Philp Tacka. Master of Music Education thesis. Texas State University-San Marcos, 2008. The purpose of this study was to compare two North American adaptations of the Kodály philosophy. The Kodály Method (1999) by […]
Stick Time: Become A Coaching Staff of One
The day after a football game, the team's coaching staff reviews game film. The line coach studies the performance of the big guys up front. The running back coach examines the performance of the ball carriers. The quarterback coach scrutinizes the passer. They then consult with the head coach and make corrections as necessary to […]
Opportunity Knocking: International Symposium Seeks Papers
CALL for PAPERS AND PRESENTATIONS *The Phenomenon of Singing International Symposium IX* July 7-10, 2013 – St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada If you are interested in singing… The place to be in the summer of 2013 is Newfoundland and Labrador. Indulge your musical, creative and scholarly spirit and join us for this exciting event! […]
GUEST BLOG: “Confessions Of An Outsider,” by Varda Hardy
CONFESSIONS OF AN OUTSIDER ~ by Varda Hardy (director of the documentary BIG VOICE…dare to dream) A year ago I launched into production on BIG VOICE, a documentary about the challenging musical journey of a high school choir director and his most advanced co-ed ensemble. We have completed principal photography and begun the extensive post-production […]