Latest Blog Posts

So what does nuclear fission have to do with choral music?     More than you might think!   First, a little lesson about nuclear fission from Wikipedia: Nuclear fission produces energy for nuclear power and to drive the explosion of nuclear weapons. Both uses are possible because certain substances called nuclear fuels undergo fission […]

Micheal McGlynn attended the Chicago 2011 Conference and has some valuable international insight on his Anuna blog:   On the opportunity to chat with other choral composers: A highlight of my visit was getting the opportunity to meet with other choral composers. The thing that struck me most of all on meeting them was how […]

The American Choral Directors Association is pleased to contribute to the sponsorship of the International Boys and Men’s Choral Festival this coming July 25-August 1, 2011. This unique event offers exceptional singing opportunities for choirs as well as individual singers, and includes the added bonus of the promotion of global understanding as well as encouragement […]

Chris Rowbury explains why. People don’t often talk about the downsides of singing. Yes, we bang on about the health benefits, social aspects, etc. but seldom mention the bad bits. For example? singing can become addictive — once you start singing, it’s very hard to stop. It’s such an enjoyable activity that you will start noticing […]

Daniel Pink posted a link to this article that I think might have some ramifications for choir directors and choirs.  See what you think about these points and then follow the link to the whole article: 1. Know who’s playing – design for their social style. There are a lot of different ways to entertainment […]

Eric Whitacre’s TEDtalk is now up on the TED site.  He did a tremendous job – a standing ovation in the middle and also at the end as he talks about his two virtual choir projects.   We are fortunate to have an Eric Whitacre in our camp – he is easily the most recognizable […]

  Some people have too much time on their hands. But they are selling something.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_CDLBTJD4M

I seem to have joined “SCRIBD” some time ago – it is one of the many innovative websites that I find and embrace one day – and forget about it the next.   But this thing seems to have some potential!  I need a way to embed a PDF version of my program and found […]

Check out Paul Carey’s blog for a review of ACDA Chicago.   He has three blogs up so far – Day 1, Day 1 extended, and Day 2.   I’ve been pleased to discover a few other bloggers talking about ACDA Chicago.  Look here for the Waving the Magic Wand.  And here for Jed’s top […]

Composer Roger Bourland talks about the “Oh Wow” moment: Some of my most adorable but embarrassing moments have been a professional situation, conducting a paid orchestra or a chamber ensemble, and all of a sudden my beat evaporates into “oh wow…” and Roger forgets where he is and thinks to himself: wow, that is really […]