This session will consist of a lecture demonstration that will focus on Claudio Monteverdi’s revolutionary changes in vocal music. A guest choir will perform Monteverdi selections, and Joan Catoni Conlon will make brief interpretive comments on the music.
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Creating the Conditions for Inspired Performance
Inspiring people through the power of music and words is the heart of the choral art, yet inspired performance is often seen as the by-product of technical achievement rather than the primary goal. This session offers an approach that puts artistic intent at the center of the rehearsal. Individual singers are encouraged to develop and […]
Conduct with Me, Breathe with Me: Effective Pedagogy through Empathy and Mirroring
Since their discovery, mirror neurons have been linked to everything from contagious yawning to emotional empathy. More recently, their role in conducting and the choral rehearsal has been featured as a part of various conferences and publications. This session will address current research in the areas of mirroring and empathy while attempting to clarify the […]
Using Circle Singing to Enliven Choral Creativity
Circle singing, a form of vocal improvisation devised by Bobby McFerrin, has the potential to transform choral music education and school choral performances. Living somewhere between notated choral music and purely improvised sounds, this process can lead students toward improvisation using elements of a more “traditional” choral experience. Circle singing presents a new possibility for […]
Raising the Bar: Teaching World Music More Authentically
Mollie Stone and Patty Cuyler will teach participants a selection of polyphonic choral repertoire from South Africa, Bulgaria, and the Republic of Georgia using their Raising the Bar book/teaching DVD series while demonstrating techniques and keys for successful rehearsal and performance practice. They will provide guidance in teaching proper vocal tone, style, rhythm, movements, pronunciation, […]
Parlez-vous IPA? Tips and Tools for Great Choral Diction
Since communication and expression of the text is at the heart of choral music making, beautiful and clear diction is essential. In addition, singing a choral composition in its original language is both faithful to the composer’s vision and educational for our students. So don’t let the challenge of teaching foreign-language diction get in our […]
