Latest Blog Posts
Inprove Your Conducting Skills and Focus: Three Important Considerations
Part 2 of a 3-Part Series By Stuart Hunt Music educators do not really have time to waste; typically do not know what the inside of a faculty room looks like; and are constantly creating and adjusting instruction with intentional outcomes. During school closures and distance learning, it is a propitious time to consider our […]
CJ Replay: COVID and the Choral Educator
The February issue of Choral Journal is online and features an article titled “COVID and the Choral Educator: Preparedness, Perceptions, Attitudes, and a Way Forward” by Scott Rieker and Irene Apanovitch-Leites. You can read it in its entirety online at acda.org/choraljournal. Following is a portion from the introduction. ___________________ Until recently, integrating technology into choral education has been—at […]
6 Realizations from this White Director about Inherent Racism within my Choir
My latest blog post is the most difficult one I’ve ever shared. I’ve challenged myself in hopes of positively impacting the choral community. As choral directors, Black History Month is a time to celebrate the contributions of the many black choral artists who continue to inspire the choral world. As choral directors, Black History Month is also […]
Working Between Indian and Western Classical Worlds with Reena Esmail
The Oxford Series on the Choralosophy Podcast! Reena Esmail is currently the composer in residence for the LA Master Chorale and the composer of TaReKiTa published by Oxford University Press. Reena Esmail works between the worlds of Indian and Western classical music, to bring communities together through the creation of equitable musical spaces and holds degrees from Juilliard […]
Choral Potpourri/ Choral Ethics: More of the Same
“The major gossip columnists were more concerned with protecting the industry than with gunning down sinners.” Gloria Swanson As I mentioned earlier this month, for the first time in YEARS, I don’t have concerts or gigs pending and have had time to be around the house much more, so we decided to do some home […]
Consider Improving Your Conducting and Pedagogy Skills During the Pandemic: Thoughts and Observations
By Stuart Hunt We recognize that school closures and limited access to students will eventually conclude, and that we will be able to resume the wide range of activities that positively impact the lives of our students. For now, however, along with our regular/altered duties, perhaps we could consider this an “off-season,” just as those […]
The Conductor as Yogi: It’s Buffer Time
Ramona M. Wis A few years ago, I became aware of how energy-draining it was to move directly from one rehearsal to the next, with the short in-between time filled with “quick” questions from students (they never are), “emergencies” of colleagues (they never are), and singers filing in as I am re-arranging chairs and figuring […]
CJ Replay: Music Matters–A Pedagogical Framework for Literature Selection
The February issue of Choral Journal is online and features an article titled “Music Matters: A Pedagogical Framework for Literature Selection” by Jabarie E. Glass. You can read it in its entirety online at acda.org/choraljournal. Following is a portion from the introduction. ___________________ A perpetual conversation among choral conductors has existed concerning the selection of literature. Choral professionals […]
Car Thoughts: On the critical nature of performances and face to face conversation
I wanted to take this opportunity to let you know that I have added a new TYPE of short form content to the stream. “Car Thoughts” will be periodical and completely unscripted. As 2021 continues to reveal a stream of exciting guests and topics that will keep my production schedule very busy, this outlet will […]
Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: Long Distance Gossip
“No one gossips about other people’s secret virtues.” Bertrand Russell I mentioned last week for the first time in YEARS, I don’t have concerts or gigs pending and have had time to be around the house much more, so we decided to do some home improvements. The basement re-do is finished and the KITCHEN re-do […]