arrange • compose • conduct
The biggest impediment to interesting arranging is imagination. The arranger must imagine a new version. A great vocal arrangement can surprise, delight, and even exceed the original version of the song, but only when the interpreter has an active imagination, and the tools to execute their imagination. For me, Kurt […]
In his new book You, Your Child, and School, Sir Ken Robinson references research into parenting styles, and lays out four distinct approaches: “Authoritarian parents present a set of rules that their children have to follow, without offering either wiggle room or much explanation about why the rules exist.” “Authoritative parents have rules for […]
As we focus so determinedly (and for good reason) on improving the musicianship skills of our students, let’s not forget that there is special value in teaching by rote. I’ve had two experiences this year where, with the octavos available, I have taught portions of the music with nothing in […]
How much you, how much the song? This is question that various genres answer in different ways. In jazz, what you do with the song is valued much more highly than what the song looks like on the page. But if you’re a musical theatre performer, your interpretation choices need […]
We’ve been doing a lot of lateral thinking puzzles over school-day breakfasts. It’s a fun way to get the mind rolling and to think outside the proverbial box. Whenever someone is stumped, I remind them: “There’s no penalty for questions.” The more questions you ask, the more likely you are to […]
It was often said of the HBO sitcom Sex and the City that the fifth main character was “the city” – i.e., New York. It’s clear to all accomplished conductors that the space you perform in is a character in your performance – it should subtly or not-so-subtly affect the performance you […]
One of the most beautiful parts about including tight vocal jazz harmony in your curriculum is watching as students begin making friends with chords. At first, the complex chords can seem foreign to the eye and shocking to an ear accustomed to triadic harmony. But very quickly, with repetition, students begin […]
So much is swirling through your mind at any moment. The next rehearsal plan. Programming the next concert. Call time, concert attire, standing arrangements. Intonation strategies, vowels and consonants, layers of meaning in the text. Communicating musical elements with the accompanist, being ready for your next observation, and making eye […]
It’s my end-of-school-year tradition to publish the repertoire my ensemble sang over the year. With my first year at GRCC in the books, here are the pieces Shades of Blue learned and performed. For reference, in the Fall Semester Shades of Blue had one soprano, one alto, two tenors, and […]
Since every choir director I know lives somewhere on the spectrum of workaholism, I have a recommendation: Take a listen to Adam Grant’s WorkLife Podcast (sponsored by TED). In particular this episode, entitled When Work Takes Over Your Life. Maybe while you’re catching up on email or filing choral octavos. […]