Good posture is crucial to good singing and good conducting. While posture has generally been taught by demonstration (which appeals to visual learners), recent work in Body Mapping by Barbara Conable gives alternate methods for all of us to have better access to a comprehensive understanding of our bodies and kinesthetic awareness of ourselves in […]
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All Roads Lead to Repertoire: Creating a Successful Program through Appropriate Literature Selection
The responsibilities of choral directors in the classroom are numerous and can often seem overwhelming. The focus of this session will be how the selection of literature is the crux of the choral program and the basis for all other decisions that are made throughout the academic year. ACDA’s National Chair for Repertoire and Resources […]
The Use of Movement to Enhance Choral Rehearsal and Performance
Many believe world music is a cross-curricular discipline that can expand worldview through exposure to the music and performance practices of different cultures. Recent surveys indicate some directors maybe reluctant to program world mu-sic due to the challenges of teaching language, concerns over tone production, and limited time available to teach the music. This session […]
Then Sings My Soul: Toward a More Dynamic Choral Presence in Worship
Why are great preachers and actors so compelling and convincing, even when they are saying words that someone else wrote? It is because they are believable—their words, vocal tone, and body language are congruent and convey the same message. Psychologist Albert Mehrabian has called these the three “V’s” of communication: the verbal, the vocal, and […]
Strategies and Tools Encouraging Proficient Sight Reading
Veteran music educator Denise Eaton will share her effective approach to teaching sight reading. Eaton’s well-thought-out, systematic method gives students tools certain to improve their sight-reading skills through creative repetition. Attendees will learn how both visual and aural interval identification exercises can be used to train the eyes and ears to read, think, and hear […]
Sounds the Call to Come Together: Exploring South African Choral Music
Since 1994, South African choral music has become increasingly popular in choral concerts in the United States. In this interactive session we will explore the rich choral traditions of South Africa, from understanding the context and history of this multicultural country to learning, teaching, and performing these unique works. Participants are asked to sit in […]