Latest Blog Posts
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 […]
Brilliance of Forrest and Allred
Dan Forrest and Brady Allred and the Salt Lake Vocal Artists show us how it is done: A fabulous work of beauty and passion, Dan. Brilliant interpretation and musicianship, Brady. Choir – you are remarkable and worthy of the highest praise.
Bulgarian Choral Music
(From the interest session, "Exploration of Bulgarian Culture Through Choral Music." by Madlen Batchvarova. Presented during the 2012 Central Division Conference) When we talk about Bulgaria, we must know that in this small country, located on the Balkan Peninsula in Southeastern Europe, live brave, intelligent and spiritual people who have had a long […]
How Do We Speak to Our Singers?
Few topics on Choralnet have garnered such extensive responses as those that deal with director/singer relationships. Surely our inspiration and love of what we do should transcend any problems in interpersonal relationships! After all, it’s “all about the music!” Isn’t it? Yet how many of us wish we could take back a comment that was […]
Choral Caffeine: Here’s What They Think of Choir
The “Big Voice” project has been discussed by various commentators on ChoralNet. Today, film-maker Varda Hardy gives us a chance to hear what the students at Santa Monica High School think about singing in a choir. Sometimes, friends, amid the flotsam and jetsam of our hectic days, we tend to forget that we are […]
What would you have said?
A dog interrupts Eric Whitacre's sleep: The director stops the choir, looks around, and says "Are we OK??" Let's brainstorm other possible responses to the dog, or their owner: 1. "What, doesn't your dog like Eric Whitacre?" 2. "Hey, we are having audience participation on the next song, not this […]