Latest Community Posts
Gorecki for Christmas
I was thinking it might be nice to remember the old man by using his Lullabies, Opus 49, Mixed Voices (1984) for Christmas during the 9 Lessons and Carols. I just heard them on Youtube and they’re exquisite. But would it suit better to do the Five Marian Songs, Opus 54, chorus a cappella (1985) or the Two […]
Quality, Engaging Music for Beginning 8th Grade Choir
I teach HS/MS Choir in a small rural district (300 MS students, 400 HS students) that cut nearly all electives except Band and Choir at the MS. On the bright side my classes have balooned to nearly 50 singers (20-25 boys) each. On the down side, I now have a 7th, and an 8th Grade […]
With Heart and Hands – Rutter
Anyone have a recording or video link for this new Rutter piece?
Tinny aging soprano voice
I direct a choir whose average is probably 68 to 70. Some of my sopranos get very “tinny” and flat as they go higher. I have no idea how to get rid of this piercing sound. Some tell me they can’t sing high unless they sing loudly. I’ve tried talking about head voice; rounding […]
Choir vs Band issues
Help!! I teach at a wonderful 7-9 Junior High with a great band teacher – that isn’t the problem. The problem is at the district level. When I began teaching at my school, 7th graders were not allowed to take choir. This decision was made by the district curriculum person who was a […]
Simon Carrington Masterclass – 4 choruses from Handel’s Messiah
May I draw your attention to this masterclass on DVD given by Simon Carrington who is working with four young conductors on choruses from Handel’s Messiah? This was recorded in Gloucestershire, UK while Simon was here during the Three Choirs Festival in the summer. You might find his advice and interpretation of this very popular […]
8 part Madrigals – SSAATTBB?
An appeal to Choralnet’s collective wisdom: In spite of all my years of involvement with madrigals of one sort or another I am having difficulty finding any 8 part madrigals for SSAATTBB. I am coaching a Madrigal History Tour as one of the projects during my return to Yale in January and February. The graduate […]
Need match for Ola Gjeilo Sunrise Mass
We are thinking of performing the Sunrise Mass by Ola Gjeilo (for strings and choir) next season, and are looking for a complementary first/second half of a performance. Any suggestions? Our choir is 150 voices, very accomplished.
Henryk Mikolaj Górecki dies, aged 76
Boosey & Hawkes is sad to announce the death of leading Polish composer Henryk Mikolaj Górecki, who passed away aged 76 on 12 November 2010 in Katowice after a long illness. Górecki’s early output saw him as a leading composer of the Polish avant-garde in the 1950s and he reached a worldwide audience in […]
Warwickshire County Boys Choir Gives Conductor a New Lease on Life
WARWICKSHIRE COUNTY, UK — It was a near-death experience that led to Garry Jones retiring from his high-powered job at Warwickshire County Council to start up one of the UK’s biggest boys choir. The 64-year-old from Warwick suffered heart failure while out jogging but, luckily, collapsed in front of an off-duty paramedic who rushed […]