Open Discussion Forum

What books or programs are you using to teach your HS students fundamentals? I'm particularly interested in site licenses for online programs that can be integrated with Edline. But reasonable books (<$20 each) would also be a good option. Thanks!

I have 44 choir robes that have not been used for a few years. They are royal blue with gold insets and were purchased from Collegiate Cap and Gown. The only catch is they have SHS embroidered on the front panel which may or may not be possible to remove. They cost the school approximately $100 per robe and I hate to see them just sit. If you are interested in taking them, I'm sure the school would be willing to part with them for next to nothing or for the price of shipping them. Please contact me if you are interested or if you have questions, you can reach me at 870-612-2846.

As a choral director of a community women's group and participant in a festival of state women's groups (approx 450 singers), I find it difficult to accept the playing style of the piano accompanist. He must be good at jazz improvisation or other improvisation and his technic seems to be adequate. However I prefer to hear the accompaniment of a choral piece played as written by the composer/arranger. My singers appreciate knowing exactly what to listen for at entrances and cut-offs and sing much more confidently with our individual accompanist who, at my insistence, plays what is written, with very few exceptions. I am interested in hearing from other conductors regarding accompanists who never play an accompaniment as written.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Indianapolis Symphonic Choir Launches
Christmas Carol Competition for Young Composers

INDIANAPOLIS, IND – June 30, 2009 – The Indianapolis Symphonic Choir unveils its national Christmas Carol Competition as part of its commitment to the future of choral music. Submitted works must be original and unpublished; between 3 and 5 minutes long; written for SATB, mixed adult choir; and may be a cappella or utilize keyboard accompaniment. Text and language are at the discretion of the composer, and should be suitable for a Christmas/holiday performance.

The internationally acclaimed all girls choir from the Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul area, Partners in Praise Girls Choir, has won a silver medal in the International Choral Competition in Preveza, Greece on July 12, 2009. In addition to being the first American choir selected to participate in the competition, Partners in Praise Girls Choir also won an award for an Outstanding Rendition of a Song ("Amazing Grace"). Julia Fahey, Director of Partners in Praise, said "We are thrilled to have been selected to participate in this prestigious competition but to win both a Silver Medal  and the additional award is really gratifying.

For the next year, a giant clock in downtown Shaoxing, China will be counting down to the start of the World Choir Games on 15 July 2010. INTERKULTUR president Günter Titsch and representatives of the city of Shaoxing started the countdown in the city centre at a special ceremony on 15 July 2009.

Yet again, thousands of singers and musicians from around the world are expected to attend the world's largest choral event, which will run from 15 July to 26 July 2010. As in previous years, the 6th World Choir Games will captivate choirs, conductors and choral experts around the globe and put the spotlight firmly on China. There, choirs will gather in peaceful competition for gold, silver and bronze medals under the motto "Singing together brings nations together“.

28th International Choral Festival of Preveza
16th International Choral Competition of Sacred Music
Organized by Choral Society “Armonia” of Preveza

The Choral Society “Armonia” of Preveza, Greece would like to invite you to the 28th International Choral Festival which will take place from 1 to 4 of July 2010 in the town of Preveza.

Organising Committee

A colourful opening ceremony, three beats of a huge traditional yonggo barrel drum and the message 'You are the world!' to participating choirs and ensembles from around the globe marked the opening of the 1st World Choir Championships (WCC) in Korea on 8 July 2009.

Two days later came a surprise turn of events: the maiden WCC, jointly organised by INTERKULTUR and the Korean province of Gyeongnam, had to be called off due to the spread of swine flu.

Please be advised that Suwon International Choral Competition & Festival 2009 (South Korea) has been postponed to 2010 for the reason of influenza A (H1N1). As you may have been informed, recently, World Choir Championships were cancelled due to this virus.

In this regard, we need to wait for the ripple effect of this incident to die down, which takes a couple of months. So, please understand that inevitably we should postpone our event to next year.

We apologize for any inconvenience that this postponement might cause for you.

IV. INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS MUSIC
December 3rd- 6th, 2009
SLOVAKIA, BRATISLAVA

Dear lover of choral music,

We would like to invite you to participate in the IV. International Festival of Advent and Christmas Music to be held in Bratislava on December 3rd – 6th, 2009. The Slovak capital, Bratislava, opens its gates and invites choirs to its charming centre decorated for Christmas. We are inviting choirs from all over the world; your songs and performances will contribute to a truly heartwarming atmosphere for Christmas.

Choirs Gather in Rome to make a Musical Sign of Peace

Milwaukee Children's Choir has promoted Carol Storck to artistic director, beginning with the 2009-2010 season. Ms. Storck, who was selected from a pool of exceptionally qualified candidates, takes the reins as the choir celebrates its 15th anniversary.

"It's a testament to Carol's talent and leadership that the search committee eventually selected an internal condidate from a pool of candidates from around the world," said Christine Burgener, board president. "Her experience with our organization and the communities we serve coupled with her incredible music skills, focus on education and energy will solidify our reputation as the premiere chidlren's choir in Milwaukee,"

Postmark/Email Deadline: October 7, 2009

The Boston Choral Ensemble—Boston's premiere chamber choir—announces its 3rd Annual Commission Competition. Composers of any age or nationality are encouraged to submit three work samples along with a short application in order to be considered for the commission, a prize of US$1,300, and inclusion in our June 2010 public performances. The winner will write a new work for performance by the Boston Choral Ensemble at the conclusion of its 2009–2010 season.

Application consists of:

• a completed online application form,
• 3 work samples,
• a short proposal for a work to be written,
• a short biography,
• optional recordings,
• a works list,
• and a US$25 application fee.

As President Obama has urged us to “think globally,” Tim Sharp has asked us to take a look at IFCM, the International Federation for Choral Music (for which ACDA was one of the founders), and discover ways we can become involved. This month Michael J. Anderson, IFCM’s First Vice President, highlights some of its wonderful programs:
—Philip Brunelle

Suwon City, South Korea announces the 2009 Suwon Internaiontal Choral Competition and Festival for 2009. The competition will be held Monday, October 5 thru Friday, October 9 at the Gyeonggi Arts Center, Suwon's first outdoor music hall.

The Green Anthem Project started out as a piece of music, The Green Anthem by Julie Lyonn Lieberman… an anthem for the planet. Then the project organically evolved into an interdisciplinary teaching curriculum designed to simultaneously foster 21st century music education and mobilize America’s youth with eco-friendly projects and concerts.

For Sale - Exceptional, extensive and varied music library for youth through adult choruses. Lovingly used, marked in pencil,  stored in Gamble boxes.  All grade levels, contest material,  sacred & secular, unison - SATB, madrigals to jazz arrangements.  Includes Vivaldi, Mozart, Handel, Shubert, Hogan, Rutter, Sleeth and many more.  Many more titles than the ones listed.   Serious inquiries only.  Buyer is responsible for delivery. For information please call 704.305.3535 or email musiclibraryforsale@gmail.com.

To view a sample of pieces included in the library, please click HERE (PDF).

American Federation Pueri Cantores presents Growing Voices in Parishes and Schools for Conductors of Parish & School Youth Choirs with Jean Ashworth Bartle. The three-day seminar will be conducted from July 27 thru 29, 2009 at the Liturgical Institute, University of St. Mary of the Lake Mundelein Seminary, Mundelein, IL.

Develop skills in choral leadership . . .

• Conducting Master Classes with Jean Ashworth Bartle, Paul French and Patrick Flahive.
• Gregorian Chant: Technique & Rehearsal with Paul French.

Review important USCCB documents for parish and school conductors . . .

The 6th World Choir Games from 15 to 26 July 2010 in Shaoxing, China, will feature a new artistic concept. For the first time, category winners will be determined in two separate competitions: The Champions and the Open Competition, as INTERKULTUR informed.