Conductors agree that a productive choral warm-up often results in an equally productive rehearsal. However, an exhaustive warm-up that address every technical aspect can be time consuming. How can conductors make efficient use of the choral warm-up while ensuring these concepts are effectively applied to their repertoire? This session will identify ways to include elements […]
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The Conductor’s Connection to Better Mental Health
The purpose of this session is to suggest ways we might use connection through relation and communication to reduce stress, seek balance, increase our overall effectiveness, and find ways to refocus and better our overall mental and physical health while doing what we love to do. This interactive session will focus on strategies we can […]
Building Connections: Bridging the Gap between Conductors and Pianists
Often conductors and pianists have a difficult time communicating due to a myriad of misinformation and misunderstanding, resulting in a frustrating situation for both the choristers and leaders. This session will explore the skills necessary to be a successful collaborator in the rehearsal room and performance space. What are mistakes that conductors make when addressing […]
Beyond Salmo 150: The A Cappella Choral Music of Ernani Aguiar
Brazilian composer Ernani Aguiar has established himself as one of the most influential names on the contemporary Latin American scene. Although his compositions continue to gain international visibility, his name is mainly associated with his famous setting of Psalm 150. Salmo 150 remains among the most frequently performed Brazilian compositions in the United States, yet […]
The Answering Voice
Alice Parker’s soon-to-be-released textbook on teaching music theory is the successor to The Anatomy of Melody. It is based on the idea that improvising on a given melody is the pathway to composition, and the creation of one good line of counterpoint opens the way to the musical development of a melody. It is a […]
Work Less, Get More: Ways of Building Musical Independence and Personal Responsibility from Your Ensemble
This session will focus on ways the conductor can build and instill personal responsibility for music making within the ensemble both in performance and rehearsal. Focus will be on three key components: 1. The development and expectations of the conductor, 2. The development and expectations of individual members of the ensemble, and 3. Ensemble-building skills […]
