Assessment in the choral classroom presents numerous curricular and logistical challenges. Teachers at all levels are expected to evaluate students almost immediately upon entering the classroom. This session aims to give teachers a variety of assessment tools at each instructional level. Examples of rubrics for a variety of classroom settings will be displayed, along with […]
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The Evolving Singing Voice: Adolescence
NATS President Karen Brunssen and Chadley Ballantyne present the latest techniques, vocal acoustics, and more for adolescent singing from Karen Brunssen’s new book, The Evolving Singing Voice: Changes Across the Lifespan. Learn Chadley’s cutting-edge “WEIRD” exercise that uses adolescents’ own resonance and articulation to optimize vocal function, affects on resonance because of non-uniform vocal fold […]
The Engaged Singer: Ways to Create Expressive Performances
Many choirs struggle with communicating expressively. However, studies show that a visually expressive ensemble will come across as more engaging for their audience. Having a “full bodied” performance can bring a choir’s singing to the next level and create an engaging performance for an audience member. Through storytelling, movement, games, and imitation, this session discusses […]
Young People-Old Music: Connecting to Our Choral Legacy
In a recent survey of music performed at ACDA National Conferences from 1960 to 2017, less than 20% of compositions were from the Romantic period or earlier. With so many new choral titles available to-day, it can be easy to neglect music from earlier historical periods. Selling “old” music to young people can be a […]
What a Coach Can Teach a Conductor: the Work of Master Teacher John Wooden
Coaches have to run efficient practices (rehearsals), teach individual skills, and combine those skills into great performance in games (concerts). John Wooden, who won a record ten NCAA championships at UCLA, has long been known for his innovative and disciplined practices. This session explores aspects of his approach and how it directly applies to what […]
Sharpening the Knife: Daily Conducting Exercises to Keep Your Skills Sharp
How often do you practice conducting? If conducting is the heart of what we do, why isn’t it a part of our daily routine? This session will explore how we as conductors can practice daily in a manner that maintains dexterity in our gesture and develops new skills that can directly impact the next rehearsal […]
