Composer Stephen Paulus, whose oratorio To Be Certain of the Dawn will be performed during the conference, will lead a reading session of his music and discuss his compositional process, the way he marries text to music, and how he thinks about musical structure in writing choral music.
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Making Music Meaningful
Participants in this session will be guided through musical excerpts with specific outcomes and strategies that have the potential of intentionally creating meaningful singing experiences, definitely beyond the notes—perhaps because of the notes. The participants will also receive additional concrete strategies to use in their next classes as they continue to strive for meaningful music-making […]
Imagine What Lies Beneath: Mining for Jewels in the Choral Ensemble
This session will discuss methods used to help students dig beneath the surface of the notes and rhythms as they search for aesthetic jewels initially unseen. Methods of encouraging imagination in the rehearsal will be introduced and the imagination/technique cycle will be discussed.
Introduction to Bel Canto Solfeggio
More than music literacy, this is an overview of a three-step sequence (in the air, on the board, from the page) that helps singers to visualize, feel, and hear beautiful tone while singing together in an ensemble setting. The clinicians will show non-verbal ways to obtain bel canto tone and accurate intonation with singers of […]
Integrating the Art with the Science
In this session the clinicians will show how to integrate the Bel Canto Solfeggio concept throughout the choral rehearsal, developing tone, intonation, rhythm, and meter elements while singing freely and expressively. Learn how to transition from singing bel canto warm-ups and fundamental handsign/solfeggio skills to sight-reading and learning new literature. You don’t have to sacrifice […]
Igniting Imagination in Rehearsal
The imagination is one of our most powerful tools in making music. It is the fire that propels us beyond the notes to meaningful, expressive singing. It can also be the key to actually accomplishing the notes in a free, effective,and satisfying way. This session will present specific rehearsal techniques that engage the imagination through […]
