Latest Blog Posts

The March/April issue of Choral Journal is available online. This issue is a focus issue on Composition from the ACDA Standing Committee for Composition Initiatives. ACDA members can log in with their username and password to view and download the newest edition. You can also read our electronic version. If you are not already a member […]

The beautiful challenge is that in vocal music ensemble instruction, every instrument is unique. So unique in fact that an instruction that helps one student sound better can make another sound worse. In the instrumental classroom there are MANY technical instructions that can be delivered in a way that applies to EVERY trombone or every […]

“As long as the reason of man continues fallible, and he is at liberty to exercise it, different opinions will be formed.” James Madison  Recently I was speaking to someone not familiar with my Choral Ethics Blog. He asked what types of people contact me, what kinds of questions do I get asked and what […]

This is the eighth post in a series: https://choralnet.org/archives/666904 How is it March already? My students are giving their second trimester concert today and after that we will begin our themed music for our end of the year fundraiser. Our theme is Ocean Conservation. We’ll likely be performing lots of “water” songs, like “The Water […]

“Holding space” is the practice of allowing room for someone to release their thoughts, concerns, or fears without judging them or feeling the need to offer advice or fix the situation.  This is a valuable skill in our professional and personal relationships, a way of honoring and showing compassion for others so they feel heard […]

ChorTeach is ACDA’s quarterly online publication, designed for those who work with singers of all levels. Every ChorTeach issue includes a section called “Ask a Conductor,” which is a reader-generated Q&A format where readers submit questions related to teaching, conducting, rehearsing with, or singing with K-12 students. Several educators who either currently work in K-12 or who […]

Last week, I attended the first national gathering of the American Choral Directors since 2019. I had some incredible experiences, saw incredible choirs, heard wonderful and challenging thoughts presented in PD sessions. In this episode, I will recap my highlights, as well as presenting the highlights of some conference attendees that I interviewed during my […]

“It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.” Charles Dickens It is difficult to believe it is already March. Today the weather here in the Midwest is lovely, warm, sunny, and fun with the […]

In episode 18 of ChoralEd, Lizette Ochoa shares how teachers can best care for their voice amidst the vocal strains of everyday teaching.  As the school year progresses, Ms. Ochoa suggests self-monitoring your voice for any vocal change such as loss of range, raspiness, or fatigue.  Teachers should seek medical attention if these vocal issues […]

The International Journal of Research in Choral Singing (IJRCS)  is ACDA’s scholarly publication that welcomes studies that apply rigorous, systematically-grounded methodologies, either quantitative or qualitative, to investigate phenomena of potential interest to all who sing in, work with, or are otherwise interested in choral ensembles. Below is the abstract from this article written by Ruth […]