Latest Blog Posts

Here is a selection from the recent ACDA Central Division Conference.

(From the Choral Journal article, "Expressive Resources of the Chorus," by Jack M. Jarrett)         If the art of choral singing is to develop eventually to the virtuosity state that has been achieved by the modern symphony orchestra, a considerable amount of refinement in expressive  techniques must be undertaken by conductors, singers and composers. […]

(From the Choral Journal article, “Five Basic Rules for Legato Singing,” by Van Christy)         Following is a brief summary of the five basic rules for legato singing. If your choral group is weak on these basic requirements or you have been neglecting any of them, it is suggested that some warm-up time and […]

(From the Choral Journal article, "Significant Trends in American Choral Music," by Harry R. Wilson.)         Specialized performing groups have been the subject of negative criticism on the part of many music educators today. The writer does not condone that criticism.  It seems to him that it has been the specialized performing groups that […]

      Last week we posed several questions for your mid-summer consideration, including this one:  “Have you re-evaluated your syllabi (or choir handbook) in the hope of attaining a balance of creative liberty while maintaining control of the rehearsal environment?”       Today, we turn to an article by Micah Dalbey, “Choral Pedagogy in the 21st Century: […]

      In the classic Disney film, Pinocchio, the character Jiminy Cricket serves his wooden compatriot as the wise voice of reason and maturity.  I suspect most of us have that little voice inside of us to one degree or another.       At the risk of being annoying, let me be that little voice for just […]

Big news in the church world today – the pope’s choir is joinging the Westminster Abbey choir: It’s the first time in its 500-plus year history that the pope’s personal choir will sing as a single chorus with another choir, let alone one from the breakaway Anglican church. And this isn’t any ordinary chorus: The […]

(This article by Bryan Black will appear in a forthcoming issue of the ACDA Southern Division newsletter, Southern Harmony.)        Conductors are always eager to add new repertoire.  New repertoire finds its way into our libraries and, over time, becomes the collective record of musical experiences shared by choir, conductor and congregation.  Depending on […]

Recently, an intern at NPR walked into the middle of an international debate by claiming that she has only purchased 15 CDs in her lifetime, though her "entire iTunes library exceeds 11,000 songs." Read her post here.  Her intent, I believe, was to point out that file sharing is wrong, that the age of physical […]

Wow, do we take things for granted in this country.   What would our lives be like if the state dictated that we must practice the “official” religion?  Would you enjoy being limited to a particular profession simply because of your family’s status?  What about speaking your mind publicly about elected officials, gathering openly with […]