In show choir, artistic excellence is often associated with increasing financial investment. However, excellence and fiscal responsibility are not opposing forces. The most compelling performances are built through clear vision, thoughtful collaboration, responsible stewardship, and sustainable planning. This session will help attendees learn how to create dynamic, crowd-pleasing show choir performances without blowing the budget. This session presents effective communication strategies with arrangers, explores semi-custom and budget-friendly arrangement options, and shares practical tips for maximizing impact with limited resources. Whether you’re a seasoned director or just starting out, you’ll leave with tools, templates, and inspiration to build shows that shine.
From Score to Stage – Making Magic without Breaking the Bank
Michael Shimp
Michael Shimp is a respected educator and conductor with over seventeen years of experience teaching choral music. He earned a bachelor of vocal performance from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in 2003 and studied in the Tulsa Opera Young Artist Program and Inspiration Point in Eureka Springs, AR. Shimp currently teaches at Jenks High School and previously taught in Owasso from 2007-2018. His choirs have earned recognition at state conventions, including honor group selections at Oklahoma MEA in 2014 and 2022. He has served in leadership roles such as OkCDA Vocal Jazz All-State Chair, Oklahoma Children's All-State Choir Co-Chair, and Region R Coordinator. An active clinician, adjudicator, and Quad Chair for Oklahoma Music Educators Northeast All-State region, Shimp is a member of NAfME, OkMEA, ACDA, and OCDA.
