Latest Community Posts

Indigenous Australians are five times more likely to experience mental illness than the rest of the population – a problem often exacerbated by their reluctance to seek help. Now a new program’s been developed to tackle mental health issues through song. Queensland’s Aboriginal and Islander Health Council has set up five community choirs to attack […]

Dear Colleagues,   A concert planned for next spring, to include the Faure Requiem (1893 edition), was to be all-French, with a first half consisting of Varese’s Octandre and Dusapin’s Dona Eis.   I’m considering broadening the repertory so that it’s not a single-nationality program.  I’ve had many ideas for the first half, but would […]

I guess I’m just looking for affirmation, but I wonder if anyone else wrestles with the mind-numbing struggle that happens every year with the selection of good Christmas music.   Every year, I choose a program that is challenging and different and beautiful. When I arrived 5 Christmases ago we did K. Lee Scott’s Christmas […]

Polifonia.info (www.polifonia.info) is a Social Network Web site that came to live on the 12th of November 2011, and it will be running in “beta testing” until the 31st of December 2011. The idea behind Polifonia.info is to bring together people passionate about choir music. Through Polifonia.info, members will be able to find (and/or invite) […]

Hi,   I have a question about how to make transitions go more smoothly during a band and chorus combination concert.  We are having a problem with members of the audience leaving during the performance and would like to investigate all routes to keeping them there.  I think we could possibly cut down on the […]

In my choral methods class we are approaching the topic of Specialized Ensembles, and I have asked my students to try to attend one of the following concerts performed high school, middle school or collegiate choirs:  vocal jazz ensemble, gospel choir, madrigal dinner, world music, show choir, or musical theater production.  Is anyone in Indiana […]

FRANKSTON, AUSTRALIA — IF you’ve been looking for an excuse to belt out a few tunes, City Life’s Heartsong singing group may be a fun option.   Singing leader Cherie Baxter said the group could benefit people’s wellbeing as well as their singing skills.   “There is nothing quite like singing in a group. It […]

There is a new setting of the Magnificat, by Richard Toensing, for four-part women’s choir and harp. It is a unique blend of the Christian East and West traditions and a wonderful alternative to Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols.   Listen to the Magnificat, performed by In Mulieribus, http://www.inmulieribus.org. Magnificat, Richard Toensing, Part 1, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSWlz4vfvpU Magnificat, Richard Toensing, Part 2, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLSf9PPGsQ8   From […]

THEY won the hearts of the nation when they were voted Britain’s favourite choir on a reality TV programme.   Now Only Men Aloud have landed their own prime-time series.   And as well as showcasing the musical talents of the Cardiff-based choir, it sounds like it includes plenty of capers too.   “I wanted […]

Hi, my name is Angela Conley, and I am a Music Education major at Pacific Lutheran University.  Currently, I am in Secondary Choral Methods, and for an assignment we are to answer a question and present it to the class.  My question is “What methods are there for matching pitch?”  I know this is an […]