Composers—particularly choral composers—are often called to respond to events of our time. They can give voice to our communal feeling and offer healing. Pulitzer Prizewinner Steven Stucky joins Steven Sametz, Thomas Lloyd, and Reena Esmail to discuss Take Him Earth, A Child’s Requiem, Bonhoeffer, and Earth Speaks—works that enter into dialogue with some of the […]
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What Happens in Choir… Adolescent Development through Singing
Adolescent singers regularly share stories of becoming transformed by their choral experiences. This session will focus on the adolescent perspectives investigated within choral research, including topics such as belonging, social development, and the processes of auditioning and being selected in both mixed and single-gender ensembles. Choral teachers will be critically engaged regarding how to create […]
Voice Teachers vs. Choral Directors? A Unified Approach to a Dynamic Relationship
Choral directors and voice teachers at any institution of higher education have the same responsibilities and ultimate goals: the optimal education of their shared voice students. Historically, however, this relationship is often strained because choral and voice programs run at odds against each other. A coordinated approach to vocal training and to expectations of the […]
Unlocking the Why: Finding Meaning Behind the Notation
The purpose of this session is to help conductors find ways to get past the notation of a piece of choral music and find the meaning and emotion that lie behind it. The session will use music from several historical style periods in order to demonstrate how to probe for meaning in a choral work.
Unique Rounds for Warm-Ups and Performance
From poignantly beautiful to deliciously complex, rounds can provide rich material for both choral warm-ups and exciting concert repertoire. This session will explore the fascinating variety of forms as we sing canons, catches, rounds, African-style cyclical songs, and quodlibets. The session will cover a wide range of levels and styles within this versatile and exciting […]
Turn Off That Autopilot
Every time we sing, the singing must be a fresh experience, and the song itself must be eternally new. Central to Nick Page’s approach is something he calls the democratization of music, giving the singers the responsibility to shape the music. Page will show how handing the baton over to the singers creates the spark […]
