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“Just having a title does not make you a leader, leaderships is about influence. Title only buys you time to exercise true leadership, and in this time your leadership either increases or diminishes and eventually fails. There is a huge difference between being a boss and being a leader… The Transformational Leader leads from a personal influence […]

We're definitely in crazyville now. A Pennsylvania school district has decided not to stage a Tony Award-winning musical about a Muslim street poet after community members complained about the timing so soon after the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks. The Richland School District in Johnstown had planned to stage "Kismet" in February, but […]

Choral music comes in many forms. From monks intoning a Gregorian “Ave Maria,” to a chorus roaring through a Verdi opera, to angelic children singing on Christmas eve.    Afro-Blue may not be standing in rows wearing robes, but at its heart, this is most definitely choral music. I bet they would rock Brahms.   […]

Yes, they are brilliant professional singers in one of the best ensembles on the planet. But each one of these fabulous singers started in a school choir somewhere.  And there was a director there working to help those kids sound great – just imagine who is singing in your rehearsal today.   Of the countless […]

It has been a bastion of male dominance for more than 900 years – but an historic choir is now breaking with its well-worn tradition by letting a woman join its ranks for the first time. Lincoln Cathedral’s director of music said the recruitment of 22-year-old choral scholar Helen Vincent as alto would give the […]

Here's a little something extra for ChoralBuzz readers . . .   Soundwaves – the good folks who record ACDA conference performances – is offering a gift of one free CD.  Simply browse MEtunes, choose any album, and use the coupon code below for a free choral CD.   How's that for a fun Friday freebie? […]

Welcome to a new feature from ACDA on ChoralNet . . . ChoralBuzz.   We know the feeling well: you're grinding away day after day, creating interesting classroom plans, motivational rehearsals, inspiring concert offerings, handling the seemingly endless details of the business of the choir, and tenderly caring for the myriad singers in your sphere.  […]

"A fast-paced, efficient choir rehearsal generally requires three elements: an inspired director, a responsive choir, and a good choral accompanist. The accompanist can be of great influence in either aiding or hindering the work of the director or choir. The accompanist can add momentum to a rehearsal or create jagged breaks in the concentration of […]

"Conductors who think of choral music as something people do might consider themselves as primarily in service to the singers. In contrast, conductors who view choral music as encompassing composition and performance-as-product might consider themselves as primarily in service to the music. Conductors who focus on the participatory aspects of choral music will give substantially […]

A Chicago skyscraper architect, a New York City children's choir founder and a North Carolina scientist who studies how to prevent sports-related concussions are among the latest 22 recipients of the no-strings-attached MacArthur Foundation "genius grants." The $500,000 fellowships for 2011 were announced Tuesday by the Chicago-based John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. Recipients […]