Latest Community Posts

My instrumental colleague has approached me about including singing in his band rehearsals in order to further develop the aural skills of his students.  In our district, he is a 5-12 band director.  We met today about the best way to start incorporating solfege and singing in all of his band rehearsals including 5th grade […]

What songs are any of you using, that are planning music for a ceremony on National Day of Prayer?? Many around us do a combined event representing the county, and we will have a smaller service in church at night. We have access to musc by a Praise Band, organ, and piano. Thanks, in advance, […]

I’m interested in knowing how other choral directors deal with high school students in the only choir the school offers, who can’t match pitches.    Where do you “place” them in the choir? – Do you put them in the back row so their non-matching pitches aren’t heard?  (If so, doesn’t that throw off the […]

Colleagues,   I’m struggling with teaching my students how to pronounce final G’s and D’s and B’s in German when the word has been shortened for poetic reasons, like Habe becoming Hab (Hab’ ich), Tage becoming Tag, and so forth.  I have five Germans diction books by my side.  3 say to make them final […]

Dear colleagues,   I seem to be struggling with repertory choices more than usual.  Next year we will have a concert with larger-than-usual forces that will include on the second half the Sequence from the Berlioz requiem (dies to Lacrymosa).  I’m looking for a 20-30 minute wonderful work for the first half.  I’m econsidering Mendelssohn […]

Looking for short (10 – 15 minutes) work to program with an excellent brass quintet (union players) and possible timpani/percussion.   THANKS   Betty Devine

I have been reading James Jordan’s, “The Musician’s Soul” and I simply don’t like my choir. I am about half-way through the book and his suggestions are simply so buddy-buddy that I’m feeling very uncomfortable. I will finish the book and get back to you. Any other reviews out here? L

Any suggestions of pieces about travel? They could, eg, be about journeys or modes of transport. They could also be about destinations: any good pieces about, say, Paris, or New York, or anywhere. I’m putting together a programme for a June concert for my chamber choir

Looking to purchase a portable pa system for a group of 20 women.  ANY help regarding what systems work would be great.  Also anything on how you can add monitor, or put speakers BEHIND singers (Fender claims you can do that for “monitor” without feedback).  And any help with mics that would work for 20 women […]

Outside of Brahm’s Alto Rhapsodie, what are other large works for men’s chorus?  I am sure this has been asked before – but I am asking again.  I appreciate any suggestions.