Sessions

Beth Philemon

AI is moving faster than any previous technological shift, and paradoxically, it makes what we do more valuable, not less. This session places AI within the long lineage of technologies choral music has navigated, from the printing press to the phonograph, revealing a consistent pattern: each tool externalized a task, freed humans for higher-order artistry, […]

Jabarie Glass

Few decisions shape singers’ experience of choral music more than the choice of repertoire. This session invites conductors to rethink literature selection not simply as a programming matter but as a pedagogical tool that influences how singers grow, what they understand, and how they engage with choral music over time. Drawing on historically and stylistically […]

Andrew Clark

Cambridge Common Voices
Harvard University

Cambridge Common Voices is a neurodiverse chorus that reimagines choral practice through the lens of disability justice, inclusion, and Universal Design for Learning. This interactive session features live demonstration and dialogue with ensemble members, offering practical strategies that expand access, redistribute creative agency, and challenge conventional hierarchies in choral music. By positioning disability as a […]

Jo-Michael Scheibe

Yoojin Muhn

Hyo-Won Woo

Jong-In Kim

Hye-Young Cho

This session introduces choral conductors to the vibrant and accessible music of Korean composers Hye-Young Cho and Hyo-Won Woo. Joined by panelists Dr. Yoojin Muhn and Dr. Jong-In Kim, the composers will guide attendees through selected works, sharing cultural context and practical rehearsal strategies for bringing these pieces to life. Participants will sing through several […]

Central High School Singers
Central High School

Sara Cowan

This program explores avenues for public school choirs to meaningfully engage with living composers and their music. At Central High School, a highly diverse Title I public high school in downtown Omaha, innovative programming is key to developing lifelong singers. This session will highlight the choir’s unique creative relationship with collaborative pianist and composer, Stephen […]

Jonas Rasmussen

How can we build choirs that sing with both precision and courage? In this participatory session, attendees become a model choir while exploring how structured play, intentional risk-taking and productive failure can transform rehearsal culture for singers of all ages. Participants will experience immediately transferable exercises, games, and strategies that strengthen focus, listening, ensemble cohesion, […]

Elizabeth Hearn

Alicia Vorel

In many choral programs, mixed (SATB) choirs are perceived as the pinnacle ensemble, while soprano/alto (SA) choirs are often treated as developmental groups, regardless of the skill level of their singers. National participation data consistently show that approximately 70% of secondary choral participants are female (sex assigned at birth) and 30% male, a pattern that […]

Pingyi Song

Yuhua Li

Mengda Jiang

Folk music is the visceral heartbeat of identity, yet stunning parallels exist between East Asian and Western traditions. This session explores universal foundations in nature, love, and community as a gateway to authentic performance. A panel of conductor-scholars traces their “journey of discovery,” detailing the challenges and triumphs of introducing Mongolian, Korean, Japanese, Tibetan, and […]

Emily Mercado

Jason Bowers

Intentional choral partnerships can strengthen collaborative learning and promote lifelong singing. Despite their potential, partnerships are difficult to implement and sustain due to limited funding, unstable policy structures, and institutional misalignment. Successful partnerships depend on consistent personnel, substantial time for successful implementation, and the abilty to navigate institutional barriers. In this interactive session, participants will […]

David Garcia Saldana

Corie Brown

Dive into the music of Latina composers from across Latin America through singing, movement, and rhythm-centered pedagogy. Attendees will explore works by Elisa Schmelkes (Mexico), Suzzette Ortiz (Puerto Rico), and Charito Acuña (Colombia) while learning practical frameworks for teaching Latin American choral music. Through clapping patterns, vocalized percussion, and guided singing, conductors will discover how […]