Latest Blog Posts
Scholarly Abstractions: Bach Cantatas
Baek, Jung Jin Baek. A Conductor’s Guide to J. S. Bach’s Quinquagesima Cantatas. Doctor of Musical Arts dissertation, University of Cincinnaty College Conservatory of Music, 2012. Johann Sebastian Bach’s cantatas occupy a significant portion of his output. This document focuses on his four cantatas written for the Quinquagesima Sunday in Leipzig. The first […]
Saturday Respite: Play Ball!
This sounds vaguely familiar. Oh, yeah, I was at the ballpark last night.
Choral Caffeine: Thoughts on Warm-ups
Warm-ups are an integral part of any physical activity. It doesn’t matter whether you’re going to swing a golf club or swing the eighth note, a warm-up period is necessary. In the article, "Vocal Warm Ups, Repertoire, and Resources for Male Choir" (Georgia Sings! Vol.7, No.1) Amy Hughley shares the results from a poll […]
Choral Caffeine: Organist/Choir Director
With the passing of Labor Day two days ago, we can (sadly) close the book on the summer of 2012. Most schools are now in session, and a great many church choirs resume their regular rehearsal schedules this week. There seems to be an increase of churches seeking to fill a singular Organist/Choir Director […]
Choral Caffeine: Strengthening Choral Tone, Part 2
The matter of choral tone has probably been a topic of discussion in studios and rehearsal halls for longer than any of us cares to ponder. So we continue from last week’s “Choral Caffeine” with another point of view; in this case from Leanne Freeman-Miller’s article “The Vocal Edge” (Kansas ACDA Choral Range), in which […]
Choral Caffeine: Strengthening Choral Tone, Part 1
The start of a new school year gives us a chance to lay a foundation that we hope will serve us throughout the entire season (and beyond). Among the countless considerations in this seemingly unending process is the matter of vocal tone. In his article, “The Call: Teaching Singers to Project Healthy Tone” (Georgia […]
Choral Caffeine: Teach Sight Reading First
(Cue “Jaws” Theme Music) “Bahhh dum” Somewhere . . . “Bahhh dum, Bahhh dum” Lurking in the darkest corner of your choir . . . “Dum dum dum dum dum” Is a singer who can’t read music very well! <SCREAM!> The best time to teach sight reading […]
CJ Replay: A Rehearsal Quiz
(From the Choral Journal article A Choral Director’s Rehearsal Checkup [p.33] by Charlene Archibeque) Do you begin each rehearsal on time or even early? ALWAYS SOMETIMES NEVER Do you have a thought for the day, goals for the day, or illustration on the front board? ALWAYS SOMETIMES NEVER Do your singers know […]