arrange • compose • conduct
Posts specifically about choral music
I never want to put my ensembles in this position. So much of our students’ lives are in “It all comes down to this” situations. It could be the big football game, auditions for the musical, the SAT, term papers and final exams, GPA, Prom, college acceptance letters, or any […]
When did you learn the songs that you know cold? There are songs I sang 25 years ago that I could probably perform competently tomorrow. Maybe even without the music between now and the performance. Some of them are intricate arrangement by Darmon Meader or Gene Puerling. But if I […]
Some wisdom from Alice Parker today. I read this in the warmup room before the Aces’ performance at State Solo & Ensemble today, because we can all use reminding of the power of singing. “Sometimes I think that when I am singing I’m using all of my potential in a […]
Some pieces just…resist memorization. In my experience, the toughest pieces to memorize are not necessarily the most complex, or longest, or difficult. Indeed, it tends to surprise me when an ensemble struggles to put down their music. For the piece that my ensemble is dueling with at the moment, I […]
When do you schedule your choir travel? I’ve taken tours during two distinct parts of my yearly calendar. Several times, we have toured after the school year ended. May in college, July for high school. Other times, I have traveled during Spring Break, or thereabouts. This includes international tours over […]
How do you plan a tour program? Tour programming comes with some special challenges. These might include: Programming more sacred repertoire than usual, to meet requirements of religious performance venues. (You want to perform in these venues!) Programming for limited rehearsal time. (My touring choirs have almost always been ad […]
Choirs should travel. This week, I’m making a list of the reasons why. The memories. You won’t remember today’s rehearsal. You might not even remember next week’s concert. In the context of a choir life, the sheer number of rehearsals and choir concerts means you can’t create lifelong memories from […]
Choirs should travel. This week, I’m making a list of the reasons why. It’s good for your program. A choir tour is great for the whole choir program – including the singers who go on the tour and those who don’t. Why? Here are just some of the reasons. Publicity. […]
Choirs should travel. This week, I’m making a list of the reasons why. The connections. I’ll never forget meeting choirs from every part of the globe at the World Choir Games in 2012 and 2014. I’ll never forget sharing the stage with choirs from Denmark, Florence, Australia, and many other […]
Choirs should travel. This week, I’m making a list of the reasons why. The growth. Many academic choirs prepare a piece for a single performance, then put it away to move onto other music. There is educational value in it, but it overlooks one of my favorite opportunities for growth: […]