In this session, we will explore the three most valuable choices that a vocal jazz director (aspiring or current) can make to improve the overall level of their ensemble, whether novice, intermediate or advanced, at any academic level. Philosophical and practical rehearsal suggestions as well as question and answer will be included.
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Beyond the Score: Performing Latin American Choral Repertoire
With its joyous rhythms and appealing melodies, Latin American music has become more and more popular with American choirs. This session explores the great traditions of choral music from throughout Latin America, from Argentina to Cuba to Mexico. It will include a discussion of performance practice from the various folk traditions, where to find high […]
The Appreciation of Chinese Culture Through Choral Music: Chinese Choral Repertoire and Interpretation
Chinese embraces balance and harmony. The philosophy affected the society for thousands of years. Choral music provides an opportunity to sing in harmony. Explore and learn a great range of traditional and cotemporary Chinese choral music repertories from treble, mixed, and male voice choirs in this session. There are more than fifty ethnic groups in […]
Angel of the East
The work sets part of John Donne’s poem Good Friday, 1612. Riding Westward, explaining the spiritual context the poet rides out on business on a Good Friday, neglecting his meditations on Christ’s death. He Journeys away from Jerusalem and the crucifixion, which lies due east, moving the opposite direction to which his mind automatically turns. […]
Women of Strength: Choral Works for Women’s Voices
Our actions and behaviors serve as a vocal model and role model for our singers. Consider this though: are our repertoire choices equally worthy to be role models? If you teach women’s voices, you no doubt find yourself trying to point out strong female role models for your students. Yet, our repertoire choices don’t always […]
The Spiritual as an American Art Form: Performance Practices and Comparisons to Gospel
This session will include a multimedia presentation of the history, composers, songs, and performance practices of the Negro Spiritual with a comparison to Gospel and the likenesses and differences of the two styles. The Palmetto Voices, directed by Sonja Sepúlveda, will demonstrate by singing arrangements, old and new, that the Spiritual is an unique American […]
