Based on the new book From Memory to Imagination: Reforming the Church’s Worship, this session will focus on the role of memory and imagination in shaping our corporate worship gathering. While memory informs and inspires imagination, memory can also entrap us in safety and familiarity. For vibrant worship, the church needs both. The tension that […]
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Essential Building Blocks: The Rehearsal Techniques of Robert Shaw
In terms of rehearsal disciplines, Robert Shaw believed that attempting to teach “everything at once” led to a confused and imprecise artistic product. In Shaw’s rehearsals, skills were layered one element at a time—as each new element was added, the previously taught elements were further reinforced. Using examples from the standard choral repertory, this session […]
Dynamic Score Study: A Model for Teaching and Learning from the Art Museum
Score study can seem a daunting or tedious subject to beginning conductors and overly formulaic to those with experience. This session suggests a lively approach from the world of the visual arts that keeps the process intriguing and provides a clear step-by-step method that leads the conductor quickly beyond the skills of merely navigating the […]
CSI: CHORAL Looking for the Musical Clues to Inspire Efficiency in Rehearsal, and Beauty in Performance
This session proposes to offer some creative rehearsal strategies based upon the concept that composers often leave “musical clues” in their scores for us to discover and help bring the music to life. These clues—found in text-settings, melodic shapes, harmonies, rhythms, and even the printed expressive markings (dynamics, articulations etc.)—can be the sources that inform […]
Crossing the Bridge: Female Conductors of Male Choirs
This panel session will explore many aspects of the art of female leadership of an all-male ensemble. Noted and established choral professionals will share experiences and ideas from the female perspective about rehearsal technique, the male psyche, successful repertoire, concert programming, uniforms, recruiting, retention, vocal technique, professionalism, auditions, and student leadership duties and structures. The […]
Critical Thinking in the Choral Rehearsal
This session will explore methods for incorporating critical thinking skills into the choral rehearsal. Many choral directors feel intense performance pressures and assessing students in a meaningful way is not often a priority. Often, choral directors simply do not have sufficient strategies for how to make critical thinking a seamless integration into their instruction. In […]
