Latest Blog Posts
The War on Pronouns, cont’d
(one in an occasional series highlighting ridiculous inclusive-language overkill, without regard for the scansion, meaning, or music.) This one doesn’t really involve pronouns, but it’s the same mindset of knee-jerk language correction. We’re doing a sappy turn-of-the-century piece by Charles Wood, a setting of part of Expectans Expectavi by Charles Hamilton Sorley: This sanctuary of my soul Unwitting I keep white and whole, Unlatched and […]
Stick Time: Faces Matter
Sometimes choral singers look, well, dour. I’m not talking about the serious face that accompanies the singing of some profound work. No, I’m referring to the pasty-faced, dead-eyed, I’d-rather-be-getting-a-tooth-drilled look that some singers have. Not so with today’s choir. Look at their sunny expressions and the sparkle in their eyes. That’s the joy of singing. […]
This is NOT Glee. It’s BETTER
With all respect for Richard Dreyfuss, have you ever wondered why no Hollywood filmmaker has yet focued on a REAL real high school choral environment? Well, now one has. Meet Vardy Hardy, the award-winning director who is producing a documentary about a high school choir. "Glee," this is not. The producers of this film […]
The State of ACDA
It is appropriate to take a moment to reflect on the state of our American Choral Directors Association as I begin my fourth year as ACDA’s third Executive Director. The following information goes so far beyond the definition of a "blog", all I can say is, pour yourself a cup of tea, coffee, or prepare […]
Monday Motivation: Courage
“What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?” ~Vincent Van Gogh
Stick Time: The Marching Choir
A choir singing as it enters can be a very cool effect. Or it can be a train wreck. The challenges are many. Singers tend to rush anyway, and marching seems to exacerbate the problem. Hearing the rest of the choir is also a problem while moving, both because a straight line isn’t a normal […]
Sunday Inspiration: St. Olaf Choir
It’s Sunday. Just be moved.
ACDA to Offer Graduate Credit & CEUs at Conferences
The American Choral Directors Association is pleased to announce that is will now offer graduate credits and continuing education units (CEUs) at ALL ACDA Conferences in 2012. “Thanks to a new partnership with the University of Central Oklahoma, we can now provide a consistent educational offering to conductors who attend any ACDA conference throughout the […]
Saturday Respite: Take 6 sings “Smile”
Kick back. Relax. Smile.
President Obama Recognizes Arts
National Arts and Humanities Month (NAHM) is a coast-to-coast celebration of culture in America. Held every October and coordinated by Americans for the Arts, NAHM is the largest annual celebration of the arts and humanities in the nation. President Obama has issued a White House proclamation that recognizes the value of the arts and humanities and kicks off […]