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 […]
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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 […]
Aesthetic Choices in Historical Tuning
This session will investigate, experience, and sing historical tunings, timbres, and scale constructions. Composers represented will be Palestrina, Alma Redemptoris Mater; Telemann, Laudate Jehovem; Brahms, Shlafe in mir Gott; and Ives, Psalm 90. Participants will sing exercises in creating aesthetically appropriate intonations.
Vocal Warm-Ups that Serve Both the Singer and the Music
In the choral rehearsal, few things are more important than starting well. In this demonstration session, we will work/sing/talk through logical progressions that can help our singers move from the “just walked into rehearsal” stage to one in which they are fully engaged and able to rehearse. This progression will likely include aspects of posture, […]
Using Vocal Jazz Techniques to Improve Your Choir
This session will serve students and directors by proposing strategies used by vocal jazz ensembles that you can use in the large choir setting to improve your choirs musicianship skills, intonation, and confidence. Practical warm-ups and strategies will be offered to improve articulation, ear training, intonation, greater contrasting dynamics, sectional balance, and improvisation skills that […]
