Sessions

Julianna LoBiondo
University of North Texas

J. Christine Le
University of North Texas

In the realm of choral music, the hierarchy of different ensemble types has long been a topic of discussion and contention, especially when analyzing the intricate interplay between treble, mixed, and tenor-bass choirs. In this presentation, we aim to uncover historical biases related to treble choirs, acknowledge both the growth and challenges remaining in contemporary […]

Christopher Peterson
California State University, Fullerton

Central to the celebration of the Choral Art: Past, Present, and Future is the professional training of experienced and emerging choral conductors and educators who change students’ lives every day through music. Great teaching inspires great music making. This interactive session will explore many of the topics that are taught in a college choral methods […]

John Hendrix

This session will address basics of vocal jazz pedagogy with a slightly different-than-usual emphasis: What do I need to “un-learn”, leave behind, or modify when I go from teaching choir to teaching jazz choir? Choral educators are well-trained to teach choir, but not necessarily jazz choir. As we gain choral experience, we develop tried-and-true, cherished […]

Hilary Apfelstadt
University of Toronto, Professor Emerita

Alan Davis
University of Nebraska at Lincoln

Lynne Gackle
Baylor University

Mari Esabel Valverde

In 2022, a number of conversations among several choral conductors led to the idea that our profession was past due for a publication focused specifically on female choral composers. Many of the existing materials on female composers highlight gender rather than the media for which they compose, and many such materials include primarily instrumental composers. […]

Lauren Whitham
Western Kentucky University

This interactive session is designed to support music literacy and promote independent learning through the integration of aural skill development in the choral rehearsal. We will examine trends and address common issues related to sight singing, including instructional strategies, use of time, assessment, financial considerations, student engagement, and the importance of selecting quality choral literature […]

Alyssa Schott
Hilliard Bradley High School

The earliest years of our teaching careers are often the most difficult. As young teachers, we may have great ideas, but can struggle to put all of them into successful practice. We often have dreams and ideas of how we’re going to craft the ideal program but suddenly it’s the first day of school and […]

Richard Carrillo
University of Nebraska Omaha

Frank La Rocca’s 2019 Mass of the Americas has been described as “The best piece of liturgical music for the Mass since Duruflé” (Dr. Michael Linton) and “Perhaps the most significant Catholic composition of our lifetime” (Michael Olbash, Music Director of Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary). Scored for SATB choir, organ, strings, guitar, marimba, […]

Rebecca DeWan
University of Maine

This session focuses on the collegiate experience of stress, burnout, and musicianship. Through smartphone-enabled full group brainstorms and small group break out sessions, participants will actively engage in applying presented research to their lived experiences as college musicians. The goals of the session are to: identify the ways stress and performance anxiety impacts the body; […]

Adam Luebke
Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus

The volunteer singer brings a unique enthusiasm to succeed beyond what they believe they are capable of. With effective leadership through empathy and empowerment, the choral director can provide tools and strategies to improve what singers bring to the ensemble. By empowering their members, directors can attract and retain youthful singers while enriching aged singers […]

Raul Dominguez
Pacific Lutheran University

1) Thesis: The goal of Nosotres Existimos: Mexican Choral Repertoire and Resources, is inclusion and belonging; by connecting choral conductors to Mexican repertoire and resources to include in their programming, they will demonstrate belonging for their students and community. 2) Description: Mexican choral music, despite its rich history, is largely absent in our choral community. […]