Latest Blog Posts

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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! […]

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 […]

Garbes, Heather MacLaughlin.  To The Bards: The Choral Music of Estonian Composer Ester Mägi.  Doctor of Musical Arts dissertation.  University of Washington, 2008.          Although the popularity of Arvo Pârt and Veljo Tormis have brought the awareness of Baltic music to a new level in the past few years, there is an immense amount […]

STOP TEACHING KARAOKE  ~ by Carl J Ferrara I’ve had many arguments with administrators and fellow teachers about the use of pre-recorded accompaniment. Many believe it’s a cheap, easy, and convenient alternative to hiring an accompanist. Purchase of a recording saves you money over the hourly fee charged by most pianists. It is also a […]

From guest blogger Nick Cummins:   This Huffington Post article above deals with the texting issue and the ramifications of media and electronic communication.   In recent weeks, I have learned that some large school systems in Mississippi have programs that allow teachers to send mass texts to their students without the ability to reply. […]

Whether they are known by the term “Warhorses,” “Chestnuts,” or the somewhat more pedantic “Standard Repertoire,” there is a body of major choral works that seem to have been generally accepted as falling under the heading of “masterpieces.”  The titles should be familiar to everyone in the profession and include such works as Ein Deutsches […]