Latest Blog Posts

Many conductors believe strongly in the value of singers understanding the music they perform on a kinesthetic level.  We believe it is useful for the choir member to have a clear sensory awareness of both the macro- and micro-pulse, as well as the flow of energy and the circular nature of the breath cycle.  Usually, […]

(from the interest session: “The Theatrical Rounds of Bob Applebaum,” by Daniel Wallenberg.  Presented during the 2012 Central Division Conference)   Bob Applebaum is a Chicago composer, residing in California. His music is published by EC Schirmer  and Transcontinental,  among others. Every two years I have been performing a concert entitled: Gather Ye Round, which […]

The American Choral Directors Association is honored to announce it is now the publisher of the International Journal of Research in Choral Singing (IJRCS), adding this distinguished research journal to its existing suite of choral publications. Adding IJRCS to ACDA’s supporting cast of online resources and research publications is a partial fulfillment of one of […]

In case anyone tells you that the exclusion of music from the list of “real” academic subjects is a new invention, here’s a quote from Roman philosopher Seneca: And what of those who are engaged in composing, hearing, and learning songs, while they twist the voice, whose best and simplest movement Nature designed to be […]

Attention Choral Friends! Oops! We printed too many! We are giving away the popular ACDA Southern 2012 High School Honors Choir and Collegiate Singers CD-DVD set, (a $40 value!)    Check out the tracks and guest conductor here! Simply enter the code ACDASOUTHERN at checkout. Pay only $4 shipping. Email Alexis or call 419-602-4275 with […]

     A conducting colleague said to me once, “I never listen to choral music. That’s too much like work.”  I certainly hope I never reach that point.  Yes, our craft is indescribably demanding, and the day-to-day grind can be wearing and wearying (especially at this time of the season).  Yes, we do need to cleanse […]

I run a constant search for the word “choral” on twitter.  Occasionally, I look to see what it brings up.   Here are some of the latest:   My choral teacher put my in between the two skinniest girls in school for this concert tonight soo basically I’m gonna look like a whale U of […]

I mentioned in my last post that we as conductors face away from the audience, but I always feel like I’m aware of them anyway, even if I can’t see them. Somehow I sense whether they’re attentive, and how they’re responding to the music. Part of it is obviously that there’s more ambient noise (rustling, […]

Just finished dress rehearsal with the orchestra last night for Haydn's Mass in Time of War (aside: first time I've ever had to tell a tympanist to play louder, but it is a prominent part).    I always find dress rehearsal to be much more stressful than performances. That's the real deadline for knowing your […]