This session will explore ways male conductors can evoke strength and beauty from a female chorus using several oft-forgotten Bel Canto techniques, such as sustained tones, portamento, onsets, and register exercises. Based on historical pedagogy and modern voice science, the session will offer specific exercises that can strengthen the voice, improve tone quality, and increase […]
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Say[a]: An “Ears-On” Exploration in Achieving Choral Blend
This session will be an interactive exploration of how minute changes in cardinal vowels can assist in creating an ideal choral blend regardless of experience and native tongue. Move beyond “tall vowels” and Julia Child impressions to discover the intricacies of subtle vowel articulation manipulations and how they bring a better vocal awareness to the […]
The Moving Conductor: Expressive Conducting with the Feldenkrais Method®
To conduct is to communicate musical intention through physical gesture. The ability to express a variety of musical nuances requires clarity and refinement of body movement. Habitual movements, tension, and stress can limit freedom for optimal expression. The Feldenkrais Method of Somatic Education allows you to develop greater awareness of how you move and to […]
I Want Free Money! Grants for Choirs
Not another car wash! One of the most daunting tasks of running a choral ensemble is finding funding. Whether you are looking for sustainable funding or for a special project, outside funding can mean the difference between a mediocre performance and a memorable one. This session will provide information on a number of national, regional, […]
From Birth to Death: Vocal Pedagogy for a Lifetime of Singing
As choral directors, we wrestle with ways to inspire our singers to perform to their full potential and to counteract the many influences that can constrict the singing voice. This interactive session will provide practical applications for developing the voice within the choral rehearsal, from the youngest singers to senior citizens, through age-appropriate exercises for […]
Extended New Works: Sharing Resources and Successes (Appropriate for Community, College, and Professional Chorus)
Are you looking for programming ideas that extend beyond the typical octavo? Do you find it difficult to access information about recently composed scores and composers that are unpublished or self-published? Do you like being on the “cutting edge” by performing works that have not yet become “popular”? This session will provide information about twenty-one […]
