A thoughtfully structured, in-depth educational program provides a strong foundation for singers’ personal and musical growth. This session will focus on utilizing a sequential process to build vocal technique, musicianship, choral understanding, repertoire mastery, and full engagement of the communicative elements of performance. Featuring the Apprentice Choir (grades 4-6) and the Intermediate Choir (grades 5-8) […]
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From the Judge’s Chair: Ten Quick Fixes for Any Choir
Elizabeth Schauer presents techniques to improve the performance ability of any choir. The areas addressed include those encountered in choirs performing for school and church festivals and for regional/honor ensembles. Topics include tone, appropriate style, expressive commitment, dynamic range, vocal technique, and diction. Participants will serve as a demonstration choir.
CPU Bach: How Conductors Can Effectively Use Technology to Have Better Rehearsals and Performances
We use technology in every facet of our lives, so why are our choral rehearsals and performances stuck in the eighteenth century? This session will present methods to incorporate modern technology directly into the choir rehearsal to improve communication, engage singers, and save time. This includes using laptops, tablets, and smartphone apps to teach parts, […]
Choral Arranging Workshop: Crafting Authentic, Accessible Music for Your Choir
This session will consider features of excellent arrangements (favorite: Erb’s Shenandoah) then apply those features to other tunes to develop our own arrangements. Participants will gain ideas, techniques, encouragement, and usable examples. Emphasis will be on simple music with a high quality-to-difficulty ratio: easy to write, quick to learn. Handouts include perusal examples and some […]
Choosing Your Path Wisely—Timely Tips for New Music Educators
The presentation will focus on eight tips for new teachers in the following areas: 1) Researching your first job, 2) Taking charge of your finances, 3) Getting involved in professional organizations, 4) Becoming a team player, 5) Embracing technology, 6) Participating in collaborative events, 7) Emphasizing lifelong learning, and 8) Looking for greener pastures.
C- H ‐O‐I ‐R: Circulate to Hear Others in Rotation
One of the secrets to changing how your choir sounds lies in changing how they hear. The configurations your choir stand in make a big difference in making that happen, and rehearsal formations are even more important than those in concerts. This session explores via demonstration the many ways directors can improve almost every aspect […]
