Latest Blog Posts

“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven…” Ecclesiastes 3:1    Yesterday was Ash Wednesday and with it begins another season. If we are church musicians, Lent began….ready or not….even if we have not recovered from the Christmas Season. If we are not church musicians but in academia, we […]

“Ethics and equity and the principles of justice do not change with the calendar.” D. H. Lawrence I have gotten over 30 emails about one choral conductor during the last few years. Those who contacted me were past and present singers and even one of his former accompanists. There have been several from colleagues. All […]

“Theater people are always pining and agonizing because they’re afraid that they’ll be forgotten. And in America they’re quite right. They will be.” Agnes de Mille Today we revisit two Choral Ethics stories. One is a follow-up with a happier ending. And the other is not totally a happy ending. Do you remember Jackie*? Her […]

In the 21st century, possessing the skills to operate various technological resources has become a significant advantage for music educators. For choral directors, gaining expertise in audio equipment is incredibly beneficial, especially given the wide range of ensembles and performances that now require amplification. Beyond the stage, directors frequently need to produce high-quality audio recordings […]

I’m a deep processor by nature.  I think through most tasks and plans in a detailed way, use my foresight to the best of my ability and yes, sometimes take a long time making even a simple decision (please, no 8-page restaurant menus for me). Deep processing, I have read, is a sign of intelligence (I’ll […]

“No man ever got very high by pulling other people down. The intelligent merchant does not knock his competitors. The sensible worker does not knock those who work with him. Don’t knock your friends. Don’t knock your enemies. Don’t knock yourself.” Alfred Lord Tennyson Choral Ethics is re-visiting some of our most discussed Choral Ethics […]

Hello ACDA. It’s been a while since I have posted a blog here. I decided to cross post this one over from the Choralosophy Community Substack because it may be of particular interest to our membership. Namely, is it ok to advocate for “Choral Music” programs in school? Is it ok to argue for robust […]

“Habits change into character.” Ovid Many of us, especially in community-based programs, complain we don’t have enough singers to do the repertoire we really want to do.  If we are a mixed group, we long for more tenors or baritones or basses but don’t seem to retain them when we get them.  After years of […]

Between the Staves: Choral Questions, Candid Answers, is fresh take on the classic advice column—this time for all things choral music! Modeled after the beloved “Dear Sally” format, this blog will answer your questions about choral music education, performance, and leadership. Whether you’re curious about vocal technique, rehearsal tips, repertoire selection, or the “other” side […]

“To a philosopher all news, as it is called, is gossip, and they who edit and read it are old women over their tea.” Henry David Thoreau I’d like to revisit one of the staple issues of Choral Ethics today: Gossip. Recently I’ve gotten quite a few emails about gossip. If you’ve been reading Choral […]