Latest Blog Posts

If you’ve been using Twitter to broadcast what you had for lunch (or avoiding it because that’s all you think that it’s good for), it’s time to reconsider. Twitter is an immensely powerful tool for both your own professional interests and communicating with your groups. Let me show you three steps to become a Tweet […]

Olympic sport isn't the only special event taking place in London this summer.  Among the many valuable and highly visible undertakings by the American Choral Directors Association in the summer of 2012 was the inaugural National Youth Honor Choir's concert tour of England. Those traveling with the choir were impressed. "The thing that struck me […]

Drive-in theatres are making a comeback!  Yes, that iconic symbol of the 50s & 60s is experiencing a Renaissance.   “People love the communal experience,” said Kipp Sherer of drive-ins.com.  The recent USA Today article continues, saying “There is definitely a resurgence of drive-ins, maybe because people are tired of the sterile environment in multiplexes.” […]

The American Choral Directors Association has developed a mission statement that will serve as a guiding declaration for the Association as it grows though the second half of its first century: The mission of the American Choral Directors Association is to inspire excellence in choral music through education, performance, composition, and advocacy. The mission statement […]

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 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 […]

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, […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]