Latest Blog Posts

Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end. (“Closing Time”) Tell me you are a member of Generation X, without telling me you are a member of Generation X. [Starts final blog with a quote from the song “Closing Time” by Semisonic] This column marks the end of my series on mindfulness and meditation on […]

We’ve made it through another calendar year.  Some combination of joyous, fatigued, inspired, bruised, cautious, or hopeful, on any given day.  Stories to tell and plans still in the making.  Intersections of work life and “real life” (can they be the same thing?).  And though I have no idea how many read this blog, I […]

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 Diego […]

In part two of my conversation with ACDA Executive Director Robyn Hilger, we pick up right where we left off last week in Episode 130. I begin by asking Robyn about the ACDA national conventions session line up. We discuss what is there, and what is missing. We move from there into a deep discussion of ACDA’s […]

“Christmas is a season not only of rejoicing but of reflection.” Winston Churchill   In two days, it will be Christmas Eve and three days until Christmas Day. Your plans have been made for months if you’re anything like me. But this is the Christmas of 2022, so you probably have a “Plan B” if […]

By Dr. Tim Westerhaus Are you burned-out? Exhausted? Feeling behind or inadequate as our choral programs are smaller in numbers or skills in this year of emerging-from-the-pandemic? How can we intentionally rebuild our programs, and where can we find the energy to do so? How can we honor this stage of our journey (for ourselves […]

This time of year is typically challenging. Not only are there extra rehearsals and concerts or services, but there is much less daylight, at least in the northern hemisphere. In addition, there is something about being so close to the end of the calendar year that have me eager for a break after Christmas. Mentally, […]

ChorTeach is ACDA’s quarterly online publication, designed for those who work with singers of all levels but specifically K-12 and community choirs. A full annotated ChorTeach index is available online at acda.org/publications/chorteach. Over 160 articles are organized into seventeen categories. For more information, email  or visit acda.org/chorteach. Following is an excerpt from an article in the Fall 2022 issue […]

Your students can grade their own concert performance!  When I want to keep things simple (and teacher-led), I grade my concerts on a 4 point system: – 1 point for being on time – 1 point for being dressed appropriately – 1 point for being focused and engaged while performing – 1 point for being […]

The American Choral Directors Association is the largest organization of choral musicians in the world. ACDA sets the tone and direction of choral music in the US and has a major impact on the global choral music community as well. The newly appointed Executive Director of the organization, Robyn Hilger seeks to usher in a […]