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Given that the first of ACDA’s seven Divisional Conferences kicks off next week in Madison, Wisconsin, it seems a good time to share a few helpful hints for those journeying to one of these grand events.  (You ARE planning to attend your ACDA Divisional Conference, aren’t you? You can still register.)   To help with […]

The choir walked on stage.  They were poised, appropriately coiffed, dressed immaculately – obviously significant attention had been paid to the choir’s appearance, they were even wearing matching shoes.  The repertoire they were about to sing was historically valuable and educationally solid.  I was eager to hear them sing.  The conductor’s hands raised, a breath […]

The ACDA North Central Division Conference is just two weeks away.  This grand event takes place February 8-11 in Madison, Wisconsin.  This is one of seven divisional conferences being offered by ACDA in 2012.   According to North Central Division President Aimee Bekman-Collier, “If you’re eager for both inspiration and practical ways to help your […]

In the January "Outlook" from The Chronicle of Philanthropy, Perry/Preston/Wallace outlines five issues facing all of us that work with not-for-profit entities, related to our dependency on grants and other forms of philanthropy. The following are the issues, followed by my ponderings related to choral music education and choral performance:   1. This year, the […]

To Be Certain of the Dawn was commissioned by the Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis as a gift to Temple Israel Synagogue in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi death camps. It is the result of interfaith dialogue and stands as a testimony to the power of understanding and […]

One of the risks of adding movement to a choral performance is that the physical gesticulation could have a negative impact on the sound of the choir.  Sometimes, however, certain works almost cry out for movement, as in this performance of “War Song” from the 2007 ACDA National Conference.  Note how simple the movement is, […]

We’ve heard all heard every single one of these quips, usually articulated in EXACTLY the same tone, and uttered at the most inopportune moments of a rehearsal.  Enjoy!

Among the features of ACDA's Eastern Division Conference will be a performance of the Messa da Requiem by Giuseppe Verdi on Thursday, February 16.  The performance will feature the Boston University Symphonic Chorus and Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Ann Howard Jones.  Soloists for the evening will be soprano Michelle Johnson, mezzo-soprano Jana Baty, […]