Latest Blog Posts
Bach’s ‘Et Resurrexit’ – by the Swingle Singers
This was an Easter surpise for me:
Superb video: Conducting gesture and musicality
Don't miss this special interview within a mini-documentary titled Demystifying Conducting: The Connection Between Gesture and Music. In the video,Alan Gilbert, music director of the New York Philharmonic, demonstrates and discusses the role of a conductor. The computer graphics are spectacular and so is the content. Special thanks to Brian Galante for […]
ACDA Smartphone App is Now Available
ACDA members now have yet another fabulous benefit available to them: ACDA Smartphone App! This application includes ACDA’s exclusive “First Listen” program, a “Choral Library” featuring reviews of new music, a quiz section, ACDA News, ChoralNet, and a direct a contact feature. You can download this App directly from your smart phone device. iPhone users […]
Choral Caffeine: Humor in the Choral Rehearsal, Part 1
Having never really grown up – as evidenced by my converse sneakers and the “Cars” posters & LEGO toys all over my office – I am of the opinion that a little levity in a rehearsal is a good thing. It looks as though Stephen Sieck shares that sentiment. His article, “Humor in Choral Rehearsals” […]
Choral Caffeine: Choral Sharing
Ever notice that the best things in life are made better when the experience is shared? Whether it’s a night at the movies, a great thunderstorm, or a day at an amusement park, some events just seem to demand to not be done solo. Even some chocolate bars come in two pieces – they are […]
Choral Caffeine: The Community Choir Kit
Every type of choir has a unique set of challenges. In his article, “Community Choirs – Mission Possible?” (Melisma, Vol.20, No.3), Rick Bjella lists some of the keys to a successful community choir. • A community choir does not necessarily want to be a great high school or college choir. • Rehearsal schedules at […]
Choral Caffeine: Questions of Conscience
For many, the terms “reflection,” “introspection, or “philosophy” are about as attractive as the words “dental drill.” But trust me for a short 230 words, will you, please? Choral conductors cannot simply be musical mechanics; we have a responsibility to dig a little deeper. Among the great philosophical souls in our profession was the […]
Leadership Lessons of Steve Jobs
The April Harvard Business Review offers a condensed version of Walter Isaacson's biography of the innovator's innovator, Steve Jobs. In the article The Real Leadership Lessons of Steve Jobs, Isaacson extracts 14 lessons leaders can glean from the life and work of Apple's Steve Jobs. These make for a great dashboard of thought and consideration […]
The Mystical Union of Text, Music, and Experience
I'm teaching choral conducting this semester and I'm in the middle of a unit on the importance of text in choral music. I'm using as my basis an article from one of my mentors, John Dickson, who recently was named Director of Choral Activities at LSU. I had a fabulous choral methods class with […]