Of the thousands of multi-movement and extended choral masterworks that are appropriate for ensembles at the high school or collegiate level, only a handful are regularly performed, and of these, virtually all represent Western European schools. The requiems of Brahms, Duruflé, Fauré, and Mozart and annual offerings of Handel’s Messiah and Vivaldi’s Gloria are ripe […]
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Music 5: Fostering Diverse Musicians beyond the Performance
As a middle-level choral music educator, I wanted to break the stereotype of singers and musicians being mutually exclusive terms. I was tired of having classes of fifty plus and not knowing my students as musicians, as well as spending so much time developing the concert without developing the musician. Through a classroom routine paradigm […]
Mini Residencies with Brainerd Blyden-Taylor and the Nathaniel Dett Chorale
Two North Central Division high school choirs have the enviable opportunity to spend time with Nathaniel Dett Chorale Founding Artistic Director Brainerd Blyden-Taylor and members of the Dett Chorale in a mini-residency. Conference-goers are invited to observe as Blyden-Taylor, who has worked successfully with choral singers of all ages, gives these singers from Decorah (Iowa) […]
Making it Count: Getting the Most of Your College Education
The collegiate years are an exciting phase of life for musicians. During this time, students develop their musical abilities, prepare for the “real world,” learn time-management skills, and participate in enriching opportunities outside of the classroom. These years are also important for building interpersonal relationships, establishing one’s identity, and recognizing one’s purpose as a musician. […]
Level the Playing Field: Using Barbershop Harmony to Get More Males into Your Choral Program
Choral directors all over the country are in a constant struggle to balance their choirs. Increasing influences from society, along with peer pressure, makes singing in many middle and high schools “uncool” for boys. Even with shows like Glee, The Sing-Off, and The Voice, young male voices tend to resist joining choirs.What if the boys […]
International Conductor Exchange Program Visiting International Conductor from China
The North Central ACDA Division hosts two top Chinese conductors at the Des Moines conference as part of ACDA’s international conductor exchange program, where they will lead a session on Chinese choral repertory accessible to Western choirs and interact with choral conductors from across the division. Following their presentation at the North Central Division Conference, […]
