The latest issue of Choral Journal is available online! ACDA members can log in with their username and password to view and download the newest edition. You can also read view our electronic version. Below is a preview of the articles you will find in this issue. If you are not already a member of ACDA, join today to start receiving your monthly Choral Journal!
The Church Choral Director: Leader of the Sacred, the Good, the Beautiful
by Charlotte Kroeker
“Despite a tendency to be overlooked in the cultural landscape, church choirs profoundly influence musical and social culture, possibly more than almost any other organized activities in society. There is evidence to support the value of church choir and reason for choir directors to invest time in its development and well-being.”
Soul Searching: Is it Time to Rethink the “Conventional” Model of Youth Choir?
by Eric L. Mathis
“The primary goal of this article is to ask a pastoral question of youth choir directors. The question is this: As pastoral musicians committed to the spiritual and musical development of teenagers, how do we best cultivate a generative faith that is rooted in a relationship with God, nurtured by the faith community, and important enough to extend beyond adolescence?”
Pursuing Authenticity in Choral Music for the Synagogue by Lester Seigel
“So what is authentic? As difficult a question as that is, there are a few traits that can be identified as having near-universal identification with Jewish authenticity, at least with the Eastern European diaspora. This article will focus specifically on choral music of a practical nature.”
Choral Music in the Gospel Traditions by Anthony Leach
An overview of the Gospel Music Workshop of American, Inc., organized in March 1967 by the late Rev. James Cleveland and colleagues in gospel music.
A Singing Welcome: A Sacred Community Response by Jonathan Rodgers
“This article will highlight a community that has undergone significant changes as a result of an increasing immigrant population, and a church in that community who desires to make an impact at this pivotal time by cultivating a sense of unity and trust through choral music.”
Favorite Sacred Music Anthems by Eileen Guenther
Choral directors from a large cross-section of denominations and congregation sizes recommend anthems based on important dates in the church calendar.
Cute No Longer, Thanks Be To God: Building and Maintaining a Choir of Children
by Richard Webster
“At the heart of liturgy, even as they themselves are being shaped, these choristers are helping transform a Christian community. Though music is our tool—learning to sing and amassing a knowledge of music theory the envy of any college freshman music major—we are about service.”
Reinvigoration: Experiences from a Sabbatical Journey
by Meg Granum with Emily Floyd
A discussed with Emily Floyd about her sabbatical in August-October 2015 where she traveled throughout the United States to “observe great teaching and gather ideas for how to improve her own church music program.”
Choral Conversations: A Conversation with Paul Aitken by Terre Johnson
Paul Aitken, director of music and worship arts at Boise First United Methodist Church, discusses what aspects of his work at a large, multi-campus church could work in both large and smaller churches.