Latest Blog Posts
Music for Ninth-Grade Choir
In putting together a list of music for ninth-grade chorus, several things are important to consider for inclusion with this age group: [1] Accessible range for all singers, or the possibility to rewrite a part to make it work for all students. [2] Interesting rhythmic content that sticks to the bone (even for a […]
Middle East Harmonies
Middle East Harmonies. If only it were so easy! If we think it’s difficult to achieve blend in a group of singers, think of what it’s like in politics. And yet, we had this idea that maybe music could provide a place where people who have deadly disagreements could sit down together and find common […]
100 Days Away!
Cincinnati 2012 World Choir Games… …is coming soon! Günter Titsch, President of the World Choir Games, and his team are exited about the upcoming Games and the numbers of participating choirs for the World Choir Games in July in Cincinnati. “We can’t wait to meet you all and spend our time with you in Cincinnati. […]
Stuff Conductors say
And they do! I’ve heard a lot of these. (Sorry, I didn’t title this video.) For the embedded-impaired: http://youtu.be/DF5gTF0oZ_E
Choices in a Choral Rehearsal
Every music teacher must answer the questions: what should be taught? how should something be taught? to whom should something be taught? and why should something be taught? When responding to these questions, individualized assessment can play a key role in determining the answers. What? Every choral teacher must decide what musical skills are […]
Checklist for Commissioning a New Work
CHECKLIST FOR COMMISSIONING NEW CHORAL MUSIC by Kirke Mechem The process of commissioning a new choral work is an exciting time for a choir and its conductor. The opportunity to explore a new work produced specifically for a particular event or a specific choir creates a sense of being a part of history, […]
Miracle–Community Becomes Art
Turning a community into an art form is for me, a miracle. This miracle is taking place throughout the world, every day. In New York City, a community of lawyers, judges, and clerks, under the direction of miracle-worker Kathryn Schneider, formed the City Bar Chorus. And not to be outdone, in Northern Ireland the […]
Developing Musicianship in the Digital Age
We can use technology to develop artistry, engage the imagination of singers, enhance the process of music making, and help our singers to become independent musicians (these were the focal points of the “Beyond the Notes” conference). Music education – and choral music education – has the opportunity to seamlessly and painlessly adapt current instructional […]