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Back in the 1930s, a scientist postulated that the bubblebee somehow defied the laws of aerodynamics.  Based on what was known about flight 80 years ago, he was correct.  The bumblebee doesn't fly like airplane, however, rather like a helicopter (a craft that wasn't understood at that time). Thus it is with this performance. How […]

It’s still nine months away, but SOME of us are already eagerly anticipating the next ACDA National Conference (Dallas Texas, March 13-16, 2013).  Send your supervisor a note TODAY letting them know you’ll be in the Lone Star State that week.   In the meantime, here’s a little taste from our last National Conference.

Here is a selection from the recent ACDA Central Division Conference.

(From the Choral Journal article, "Expressive Resources of the Chorus," by Jack M. Jarrett)         If the art of choral singing is to develop eventually to the virtuosity state that has been achieved by the modern symphony orchestra, a considerable amount of refinement in expressive  techniques must be undertaken by conductors, singers and composers. […]

(From the Choral Journal article, “Five Basic Rules for Legato Singing,” by Van Christy)         Following is a brief summary of the five basic rules for legato singing. If your choral group is weak on these basic requirements or you have been neglecting any of them, it is suggested that some warm-up time and […]

(From the Choral Journal article, "Significant Trends in American Choral Music," by Harry R. Wilson.)         Specialized performing groups have been the subject of negative criticism on the part of many music educators today. The writer does not condone that criticism.  It seems to him that it has been the specialized performing groups that […]

      Last week we posed several questions for your mid-summer consideration, including this one:  “Have you re-evaluated your syllabi (or choir handbook) in the hope of attaining a balance of creative liberty while maintaining control of the rehearsal environment?”       Today, we turn to an article by Micah Dalbey, “Choral Pedagogy in the 21st Century: […]

      In the classic Disney film, Pinocchio, the character Jiminy Cricket serves his wooden compatriot as the wise voice of reason and maturity.  I suspect most of us have that little voice inside of us to one degree or another.       At the risk of being annoying, let me be that little voice for just […]

Big news in the church world today – the pope’s choir is joinging the Westminster Abbey choir: It’s the first time in its 500-plus year history that the pope’s personal choir will sing as a single chorus with another choir, let alone one from the breakaway Anglican church. And this isn’t any ordinary chorus: The […]