Latest Blog Posts
ChoralEd: Suggestions for Implementing Vocal Exercises
In Episode 11, ChoralEd begins a new series on vocal exercises. For the first episode of the series, ChoralEd host Micah Bland shares some general considerations for incorporating vocal exercises in the choral rehearsal. In rehearsal, the vocal warm-up should not be taken for granted. Vocal exercises provide conductors with a dedicated time in rehearsal […]
The Conductor as Yogi: The Brain-Healthy Rehearsal
In my last post, we looked at the brain’s response to stress and the importance of understanding stress not only as a “feeling” thing but also, a “thinking” thing. The effects of stress can negatively impact our short-term memory and our ability to manage the details of our professional and personal worlds and can have […]
George Walker: His Story, His Song, His Legacy
The October 2022 issue of Choral Journal is online and features an article titled “George Walker: His Story, His Song, His Legacy” by Vinroy D. Brown, Jr. This article highlights the 100th anniversary of the composer’s birth in 2022. Following is a portion from the introduction. _________________ The year 2022 marks the anniversary of several composers and […]
Choir Halloween Rehearsal – 9 VERY LAST MINUTE IDEAS
Is 10/31 (HALLOWEEN) going to be just another ORDINARY rehearsal? Do you want to make your Choir Halloween rehearsal memorable and highly productive? If so, this blog post is for you. It’s not too late!! This blog post shares 9 choir Halloween ideas that you can implement IMMEDIATELY, with little or no preparation. Check […]
The Problem of “Racializing” Music with Contraband (Will Fullwood.)
On this episode you will get to listen in to a portion of an episode I recently recorded for the Contraband Wagon. Contraband is a podcast that hosts exclusively conversations about race and racism. Will Fullwood, the host of the show invited me on to share some the experiences that I have had in conversations […]
Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: Uncomfortable Update
“An Englishman thinks he is moral when he is only uncomfortable.” George Bernard Shaw WARNING: Could be a trigger for some. I met Sarah* a few years ago at a choral conference. She was a regular Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics reader and knew I would be at this conference. She wanted to meet me in person […]
Midweek Meditation: Unselfishly Self-Centered
“In the event of an emergency, please put on your oxygen mask first before assisting others.” I usually don’t take life advice from corporations that cram me into a metal tube, give me a bag of pretzels, and hurtle me from place to place across the earth at 400 mph, but in the case of […]
One of the Inverse Relationships in Beginning Chorus Class
By Odell Zeigler, IV “It doesn’t matter whether you are pursuing success in business, sports, the arts, or life in general: the bridge between wishing and accomplishing is discipline.” – Harvey Mackay I believe the above quote can serve as our epigraph for this blog and our overall commitment to fostering and developing music literacy […]
The Space Between: Developing the Intermediate Tenor/Bass Singer
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 Summer 2022 issue titled “The […]
The Ultimate Substitute Choir Lesson Plan when YOU are Absent:
Are you looking for the ULTIMATE CHOIR SUBSTITUTE TEACHER LESSON PLAN? Would you like an effective lesson plan that you can use over and over again? Would you like an effective lesson plan that can be administered by a non-music sub or even a student in your choir? I’m excited to share a lesson plan that will have value to your […]