Community and symphonic choruses bring together singers across generations and backgrounds, creating ensembles that reflect the communities they serve. This session explores practical strategies for auditioning and placing singers, planning rehearsals for large choral-orchestral repertoire, collaborating with professional orchestras, and supporting voices across a singer’s lifespan. Participants will examine ways to balance artistic excellence with inclusive leadership while fostering strong community among volunteer singers. Conductors will leave with concrete rehearsal and leadership strategies for guiding ensembles that wholeheartedly embody lifelong singing.
Leading Community & Symphonic Choruses: Practical Strategies for Lifelong Singing
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Michael Hanawalt
Michael Hanawalt is the director of graduate choral studies at The Florida State University, where he conducts the Chamber Choir, teaches graduate courses in conducting and choral literature, and serves as artistic director for the Tallahassee Community Chorus. Dr. Hanawalt was formerly executive director of the professional male vocal ensemble Cantus; they recorded twelve CDs, participated in two hundred educational outreach events, and performed five hundred concerts, including collaborations with the Boston Pops, the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, and the Minnesota Orchestra. Previous teaching appointments include St. Olaf College and Wichita State University, where he was also director of the Wichita Symphony Chorus. He is the recipient of the Wichita State University College of Fine Arts Excellence in Teaching Award and The Florida State University Award for Outstanding Graduate Teaching.
Tucker Biddlecombe
Tucker Biddlecombe, PhD, is professor of choral studies and associate dean for undergraduate education at Vanderbilt University's Blair School of Music, where he conducts the Vanderbilt Sixteen and teaches courses in conducting and music education. In addition, Biddlecombe has served as chorus director of the Nashville Symphony Orchestra since 2016. During his tenure, the Nashville Symphony Chorus has produced several major world-premiere recordings, John Harbison's Requiem, Gabriela Lena-Frank's Conquest Requiem, and the upcoming release of Jonathan Leshnoff's Sacrifice of Isaac. He has conducted honor choruses in a dozen states, residencies in the United Kingdom and China, served as president of Tennessee ACDA, and was co-conductor for the UCTB honor choir for the 2022 Southern ACDA Region ACDA Conference. He resides in Nashville with his wife, Mary.
