Latest Blog Posts

A recent article in the Wall Street Journal calls Morten Lauridson the “best composer you’ve never heard of.”   Choral musicians don’t say that, do we?   It looks like a film will come out soon on this composer — a deep look into the composer’s thoughts, inspirations, and ideas.   From the article: The […]

Associated Press: Organizers of the Palestinian version of “American Idol” said Thursday the Gaza Strip’s Hamas rulers have banned residents from participating in the popular reality show.   The organizers said Hamas told them the program is “indecent,” in what appears to be a new attempt by the fundamentalist militant Muslim group to crack down […]

As I mentioned the other day, I'm teaching Choral Literature this semester and I'm exploring new resources.  The primary resource I am investigating is Dennis Shrock's new book, Choral Repertoire.   The class is primarily for undergraduate students.   Like others have done, I'm trying to focus on the most important figures in each period. […]

It has been awhile since we've complained about copyright problems here at ChoralNet, so here comes the first mention of the issue in 2012:   I recently ran across these words about copyright from Paul Rahe: " . . the Framers embedded within the country's constitution a clause stipulating that Congress provide for copyrights and […]

Skype is changing the way people are learning music – this article from the New York Times discusses the relatively new technology and it’s impact on private music lessons: Skype and other videochat programs have transformed the simple phone call, but the technology is venturing into a new frontier: it is upending and democratizing the […]

We need a new Choral Literature textbook, one that features recordings, audio, video, and interactivity.   Apple's new iBook author program might be the way we get there – here is a bit about it from MacRumors: Apple released an easy to use tool called iBooks Author which allows anyone (publishers and users) to create […]

I’m teaching Choral Literature in Spring 2011.  As a part of my preparation, I’m investing in a couple of new resources:   1.  The digital version (i.e. Kindle) of Dennis Shrock’s Choral Repertoire (I already own the hardback).  (Hey Dennis, can’t I get a discount by purchasing both?) 2.  I’ve decided to subscribe to the “premium” […]

One of the features of the Middle School/Junior High School Conference for Choral Music will be the opportunity to hear something seldom heard on ACDA conferences: MS/JHS choirs.  Includede on this events are ensembles from A. Mario Loiederman MS, Beckendorf JHS, Rice MS, Blalack MS, Parkhill JHS, Briarhill MS, W.E. Greiner Academy, Arbor Creek MS, […]

The ACDA Southwestern Division Conference will include a performance of “Angel of the East.” The work sets part of John Donne’s poem Good Friday, 1613. Riding Westward, explaining the spiritual context: the poet rides out on business on a Good Friday, neglecting his meditations on Christ’s death. He journeys away from Jerusalem and the crucifi […]

The ACDA Eastern Division Conference will include the session: Choral Directors are from Mars and Voice Teachers are From Venus.  The Choral Journal describes the event in this way:  "How can middle and high school and college choral conductors interact with independent and academic voice teachers in their area to develop a successful team? Is […]