Latest Blog Posts
Byrd, Ave Verum Corpus
A video from Central Washington University Chamber Choir and Gary Weidenaar. Watch for an article in the Choral Journal soon about Gary’s innovative thoughts about Facebook and YouTube.
A breathtaking moment . . . exploring sacred music in Great Britain
A very smart student of mine pointed me to this interesting BBC series on sacred music, specifically the modern British composers of sacred music. Very interesting to hear the perspective of Macmillan, Rutter, and Tavener. There are 6 short videos in the series. Here is one that starts with Tavener and the funeral of […]
Choral Caffeine: Chili in My Chocolate
Recently a friend introduced me to chili infused chocolate. It sounded less than appealing (okay, it sounded gross), but I tried it. And although it killed me to admit it out loud, she was right . . . it was delicious; a tasty oxymoron in a foil wrapper. Certain words just don’t go together, […]
Choral Caffeine: Is She an Alto?
There are certain topics in our profession that seem to generate a fair amount of disagreement between colleagues. The use of vibrato in an ensemble setting. Repertoire performed at ACDA conferences. The value of certain types of choral groups. And – gulp! – the placement of female singers in an alto section. In her […]
Choral Caffeine: Classroom Management
NEWS FLASH: It's August 1st! As the summer weeks tick away, we start to focus increasing amounts of brain wattage toward the looming school year (and for a large number of colleagues classes begin teaching TODAY!). Among the countless details we face in preparation for the new season is the age-old question of classroom […]
If you’ve never commissioned a work . . . check this out!
Check out this new project from the composers community, described here by Gordon Thornett: A highly innovative project was launched yesterday, whereby choirs who have not previously commissioned any new music through lack of funds, but who would like to, can commission a piece by agreeing to premiere it and make available a good […]
Focus Those Young Minds!
(Here is a little something from Glenn Obergefell to help you get those young minds in your care focused at the beginning of the week.) This is a chant I lead my students in. We do this on Mondays when I am having trouble motivating them. I start with “Repeat after ME” […]
Great Opportunity at ACDA
Are you interested in helping ACDA as it grows and strengthens in its ability to serve the choral arts? Then an amazing career opportunity awaits you in the recently announced position of Director of Membership Development at the American Choral Directors Association. The Director of Membership Development will have the opportunity work with ACDA’s […]
World Choir Games – bringing nations together
Cincinnati hosted the World Choir Games this month. I wish I could have attended the festival and competition; it looks like it was a tremendous success! Here is a little bit from Cincinnati's "City Beat" that talks about the emotions that surround the award ceremony: By scoring within certain point ranges, singing groups […]
Rilling steps down from Oregon Bach Festival
I’m finding most of my choral news of Facebook these days: As he prepared last week for Sunday’s upcoming performance of the St. Matthew Passion, Helmuth Rilling grilled his conducting students behind the scenes at the Oregon Bach Festival, making sure that they were tuned into even the tiniest details in the sprawling choral […]