arrange • compose • conduct
Posts specifically about choral music
I saw a social media post a while ago listing the various technical and educational hurdles they cleared to create a virtual concert. One of them included the phrase “yelling at kids to […]”. That’s where you lost me. I believe in the importance of musical excellence, of motivating students […]
What is your new normal going to be? My students are primed for a return to normalcy in the fall. Concerts are on the calendar, retreats are being scheduled, and we’re anticipating a full menu of the statewide events we usually enjoy being a part of. But with over a […]
Yesterday we had our first (and last) Rockford Choirs concert of 2020-21. The Farewell Concert was also the get-to-know-you concert. I feel incredibly lucky we got to have it at all. I hope beyond hope that I’ll never again take for granted the chance to make music with an audience. […]
I’ve had several conversations recently looking to the future in which the other person had a default plan of continuing with livestream or digital stream as a standard practice for future concerts and performances. I sincerely hope that this doesn’t become common practice. There is value in archival recording a […]
There’s only one type of musical ensemble I can think of that regularly stays stock still in performance. Not jazz bands. Not rock bands. Certainly not K-Pop or other Boy Bands. Not Gospel, acapop, Barbershop, or vocal jazz groups. Even orchestras and concert bands are routinely moving in sync with […]
I have observed consistent memory challenges throughout this year. Music that students have shown no problem memorizing in the past have stymied students this year. They just can’t seem to hold onto the salient details. I think it comes down to a few things together: Singers have had less frequent […]
Sometimes, when my ensemble is having trouble with a spot, I say, “and now…a pause for literacy.” Actually, I usually say music theory, but music literacy is s friendlier and more accurate term. Sometimes a problem spot is a problem spot because there is some structural component that the ensemble […]
My new Patreon is focused on creating a new vocal/choral work each month, and a big part of that is arranging songs newly released into the public domain. In April, I created a new SATB arrangement of the Irving Berlin standard “What’ll I Do?” – and I’m working to find […]
I had a little bit of a down day today. For unimportant but real reasons, I was feeling frustrated, tired, and run down. (I mean, we are still in a pandemic. That alone is enough justification for all of us to have these occasional days.) I almost canceled my rehearsal […]
My ensemble, Shades of Blue, is attending the virtual SMV/Real Group Vocal Jazz Festival, presented by Southwestern Community College in Creston, Iowa, and spearheaded by Dr. Jeremy Fox and the rest of the SWCC music staff. It promises to be an amazing festival, with dozens of sessions for all ages, […]