Latest Blog Posts

In late Summer 2021, I was perusing music. Looking for music for my tenor/bass choir, I came across composer Reena Esmail. I put a couple of her works on my “maybe program” list, coming back to them later and ultimately deciding to program one (which I’ll dive into in a moment!). While attending the Midwestern […]

Often a title of a blog post comes easily. Today, I wrestled with a few other words starting with the letter R: Repair and Restoration. I find myself reflecting on these words after a profound concert presented by the University of Michigan Men’s Glee Club, the Viking Chorus of St. Olaf College, and the St. […]

The newest issue of Choral Journal is available online. Following is a list of the articles you will find in this issue. ACDA members can log in with their username and password to view and download the newest edition. You can also read our electronic version. If you are not already a member of ACDA, join today to start receiving […]

Senioritis is a real issue in many high school choral programs. Does your program suffer from seniors who act entitled, arrogant, dismissive, or lazy? Are your SENIORS setting the wrong kind of role model status for the younger singers? Introducing my blog post: Choir Senioritis……. 11 Ways to Minimize The Symptoms Sincerely, Adam Paltrowitz Creator […]

Dr. Seth Pendergast of Colorado State University joins me to dig through the critical aspects of recruiting and retention. As we are (hopefully) coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, my sense is that many K-12 choral music educators are looking to grow or rebuild their choral programs. The pandemic often limited singing and many choral […]

“When you practice gratefulness, there is a sense of respect toward others.” Dalai Lama We are almost finished with the choir year. No matter what sort of choral organization you are involved with, things are winding down with the end of the school year, the concert year, and the church year. There are people out […]

With this post, we would like to both thank Brian O. Ackles and welcome Micah Bland. Since February 2020, Brian Ackles has authored a monthly blog on his approach and experiences with AGILE, a student/learner-centered music education program – even during a time when he was unable to meet with his classes in person. We […]

The season and academic year are ending. The concerts will be finished.  We feel a sense of accomplishment, relief, and celebration, colored with the bittersweet realization that it is still an imperfect world both in and out of our choral lives.  Our limbs may feel heavy, our energy is drained, and our exhales are getting […]

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 current Winter 2022 issue compiled […]

Teachers. Choir director. Singer. Manager. Stage crew. These are just a few of the many hats we all learn to wear as choral educators. The thought of adding another task to our list often seems daunting, and a little intimidating, especially when it includes words like “legislation,” “Capitol Hill,” “lobbyist,” or other congressional lingo. In […]