Latest Blog Posts
Prioritizing Context and Connection with Zanaida Robles
In this special Oxford Series episode, I catch Dr. Zanaida Robles for a conversation about her philosophy as a composer, as well as the way all of her musical and personal identities mingle to create a context for her music making. We discuss the compositional process, including the philosophy she holds related to the “end product” for […]
Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: The Opposite:Part One
“The opposite of a fact is falsehood, but the opposite of one profound truth may very well be another profound truth.” Niles Bohr Leo*contacted me a while ago wanting to share his story. It isn’t the kind of story you think it will be, he was the one who left. Leo directed a choral program […]
ChoralEd: Sight-Reading in the Vocal Warm-up
In episode 21 of ChoralEd Dr. Rachel Carlson discusses techniques for developing sight-reading skills during the vocal warm-up. Suggested exercises include: To watch ChoralEd, Episode 21 on YouTube click HERE To listen to ChoralEd, Episode 21 on Apple Podcasts click HERE
Summer: A Great Time to Renovate Your Choral Program!
Over Memorial Day Weekend, I visited friends and family in New Jersey. On the way back to Iowa City, I flew out of Newark Airport, Terminal A. It had been totally redesigned and renovated since the last time I had flown out of that terminal. The entryway met more of 21st century needs with more […]
Call for Nominations for ACDA’s Julius Herford Dissertation Prize – Deadline July 1
Nominations are being accepted for the next Julius Herford Prize, which will be awarded for a dissertation by a student earning their degree in 2022. This award recognizes an outstanding doctoral terminal research project in choral music. Projects are eligible if they comprise the principal research component of the degree requirements, whether the institution defines […]
10 “DO NOWs” to be more successful NEXT YEAR
I know it’s summer break for many of you. For others, the school year is nearly over. Some of you are thinking: “I’m in summer mode. Why, on earth, would I want to start working on next year now? I just want to relax…..” Well, you do have a good point….. But here you are […]
Jazz Has the Recipe for Inclusion. Omni-Musicians with Greg Thomas
What does it mean to be an Omni-American? An Omni-Citizen, or an Omni-Musician? How can Jazz be taught as a metaphor for American culture and democracy? In what ways do our modern conversations about diversity and inclusion badly need to include some Albert Murray in the mix? Greg Thomas joins me this week to discuss […]
Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: Truth to Tell
“Truth is always strange, stranger than fiction.” Lord Byron Since writing about Choral Ethics here on ChoralNet, I have received many emails. Folks who contact me either want to thank me or to tell me their stories. And their stories are amazing. Some seem outlandish at the outset, but then I follow up by asking […]
Spinning My Wheels!: Lamentations, Reflections, and Reset Plans of a Bewildered Choir Director
ChorTeach is ACDA’s quarterly online publication, designed for those who work with singers of all levels but specifically K-12 and community choirs. A full annotated ChorTeach index is available online at acda.org/publications/chorteach. Over 160 articles are organized into seventeen categories. For more information, email or visit acda.org/chorteach. Following is an excerpt from an article in the Spring 2023 issue […]
8 Ideas to “Fill up” the Last Rehearsals of the Year
Are you looking for activities to “fill up” the final rehearsals of the school year? If so, I have 8 different ideas that may help you and your choir to end your year on a high note! The goal we should have is to “fill up” our rehearsals, not to “fill in” our rehearsals. I […]