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Now, I’m gonna go make a sandwich . . .

Why, SOITENLY it’s Saturday!

(From the Choral Journal column, “Musica Practica,” by Nina Gilbert.  Scroll to page 65.)          How do modern practicing musicians use art to benefit the world? Aside from the benefits of the music itself, here are ideas to seed that collection.        Senior citizens are, of course, an appreciative audience. Consider the following way […]

(From the Choral Journal article, “Selecting Choral Repertoire as Pre-Curriculum,” by John W. Richmond.  Scroll to page 23)          All of us involved in music education, regardless of level, struggle to close the gap between the theory of our field and its practice in the classroom. The professional literature regarding the design of music […]

(From the Choral Journal article “A Band Aid for Choir Directors: A Choir Retreat Without Singing,” by James Kimmel.  Scroll to page 26.)         If you are looking for a fresh way to begin your choral year this fall, consider a choir retreat. It will give you an opportunity to know your students well […]

(From the Choral Journal article, “The Singer as Surgical Patient: What the Choral Director Should Know,” by Carol E. Jorgensen and Albert L. Merati.)          For anyone, the mere prospect of surgery can be terrifying; from the perspective of the professional vocalist, the added concern over potential injury to the larynx may supersede the […]

(From the Choral Journal article, “An Adjudicator Lists Ten Common Sins,” by Pamela S. Wurgler.)          Group vocal training is possible, even in a large choral setting, but in one-on-one instruction, when the choral director assumes the role of voice teacher, the individual singer really progresses toward the ideals of efficient, artistic singing. The […]

(From the Choral Journal article, “Aural Theory Training in the Choral Warm-Up: A Warm-Up Curriculum,” by Edward Cetto and Gabrielle Dietrich.)          The first five minutes of the choral rehearsal have the potential to be a dynamic, vital, interactive learning experience. It can be a time to engage the kinesthetic, musical, and cognitive intelligences […]