| ChoralBuzz: CJ Replay: The Role of the Choral Conductor | Scott Dorsey | June 11, 2013 |
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(An excerpt from the Choral Journal article, “The Role of the Choral Conductor,” by Charles Hirt)
The composer first transmits his musical image to the conductor through the medium of the music score. The conductor in turn recreates this image as faithfully as possible in his ... |
| ChoralBlog: Why Music Makes Our Brain Sing | Scott Dorsey | June 10, 2013 |
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(An excerpt from the New York Times article, "Why Music Makes Our Brain Sing," by Robert J. Zatorre & Valorie N. Salimpoor)
MUSIC is not tangible. You can’t eat it, drink it or mate with it. It doesn’t protect against the rain, wind or cold. It doesn’t vanquish predators or mend b... |
| Conference News: Name the Label Contest | Scott Dorsey | June 7, 2013 |
| ACDA needs YOUR creativity to name the label.
The American Choral Directors Association has entered into an agreement with Naxos of America® for the development of a recording label devoted exclusively to choral music. There is just one thing missing; a name for the label. ACDA is staging an on... |
| Classified ad: Director of Worship & Music (Layfayette, CA) | Scott Dorsey | June 6, 2013 |
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Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church
49 Knox Drive, Lafayette CA 94549
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title: Director of Worship and Music Reports to: Head of Staff, Peter Whitelock
FLSA Status: X Exempt ___Non-Exempt Hours: Full-time Date of Job Description: 8/25/10 ... |
| ChoralBuzz: CJ Replay: Choral Music and Social Change | Scott Dorsey | June 6, 2013 |
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(An excerpt from the Choral Journal article, “Choral Music: A Force in Social Change,” by Alfred J. McNeil )
During the decade just past, we have gotten used to seeing the world divided into two parts-the developed and the underdeveloped. To bring this closer, the ghetto and s... |
| Announcement: In Memoriam: Joe Kay (1951-2013) | Scott Dorsey | June 5, 2013 |
| Greensboro - Joseph Maxwell Kay, 61, passed away on Monday, April 8, 2013 at his residence.
Funeral service will be held on Thursday, April11, 2013 at 11:00 am at English Road Baptist Church with Dr. James A. Summey officiating. Interment will follow at New Silver Brook Cemetery in Anderson, SC.
J... |
| ChoralBuzz: CJ Replay: Working Together for the Good of Singing | Scott Dorsey | June 5, 2013 |
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(An excerpt from the Choral Journal article, “Working Relationships of the Choral Director and the Singing Teacher,” by Robert E. Bowles)
Singers, whether as soloists or as choristers, are forever engaged in communicating text, often of profound import, which has been enhanced... |
| ChoralBlog: The Power of Singing | Scott Dorsey | June 4, 2013 |
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During the crush of the academic year we are pulled in more directions than is perhaps healthy. Too many things compete for our limited attention, time, and resources. Some are necessary. Some are worthwhile. While others are neither.
As choral conductors and lovers of the choral art, we sho... |
| ChoralBlog: ACDA Again Dodges Damage | Scott Dorsey | May 31, 2013 |
| May 31, 2013, 10:00 p.m. CDT. For the second week in a row, devastating weather has pummeled Oklahoma City, home of the National Office of the American Choral Directors Association. At this time, the ACDA staff are all well and the facility is undamaged. We appreciate the many text... |
| ChoralBuzz: CJ Replay: The Canzonets of Giles Farnaby | Scott Dorsey | May 30, 2013 |
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(An excerpt from the Choral Journal article, “The Canzonets of Giles Farnaby,” by James McCray.)
Giles Farnaby was born about 1565 although the actual date is not known. Because his music does not occur in The Triumphs of Orialla, many scholars believed his death to be about 1... |
| Featured photo: Reading session during the 2013 ACDA National Conference | Scott Dorsey | May 29, 2013 |
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| ChoralBlog: Choral Caffeine: One Last Thought Before Summer | Scott Dorsey | May 29, 2013 |
| Except for a very few holdouts, the academic year is over. Time for a little rest and rejuvenation. A change of scenery is in order, as is some time for reflection. Here, then, is a little something to ponder from your hammock. The following is by Kevin Peter Hand, a planetar... |
| ChoralBuzz: Dynamic Score Study | Scott Dorsey | May 29, 2013 |
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(An excerpt from the interest session, “Dynamic Score Study: A Model for Teaching and Learning from the Art Museum," by Andrew Crow. Presented during the 2013 ACDA National Conference.)
One of the barriers we face in carving out time for score study is the silent and perhaps eve... |
| ChoralBuzz: CJ Replay: Voice Lessons in Choir | Scott Dorsey | May 28, 2013 |
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(An excerpt from the Choral Journal article, “Voice Lessons for Your Choir,” by Gene Grier.)
Beautiful tone is the desired result of all good singing. Understanding the vocal mechanism and its unique capabilities will lead to this result. Good singers need to develop an awaren... |
| ChoralBuzz: Monday Motivation: Not that You Need Motivation Today | Scott Dorsey | May 27, 2013 |
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| ChoralBuzz: Sunday Inspiration: Lord How Long Wilt Thou be Angry? (Purcell) | Scott Dorsey | May 26, 2013 |
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| ChoralBuzz: Saturday Respite: Laughter to Start Summer Break | Scott Dorsey | May 25, 2013 |
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Monkeying around with the classics is rarely a smart move. But these talented comedic artists obviously hold the original material (used in this column last week) in the highest respect, as this is really well done.
It’s Memorial Day weekend. Here’s wishing eve... |
| ChoralBuzz: It's About the Phrase - Text or Ooo? | Scott Dorsey | May 24, 2013 |
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| ChoralBuzz: CJ Replay: Sharing Objectives | Scott Dorsey | May 23, 2013 |
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(An excerpt from the Choral Journal article, “More Than an Agenda,” by Tim Fredstrom.)
Choral directors can foster even stronger partnerships with their choir members if they occasionally ask them what their individual objectives are. For example, a choral director might say, ... |
| ChoralBuzz: Paradigm Shift: The New Conductor/Composer Dynamic (Part 2) | Scott Dorsey | May 22, 2013 |
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(An excerpt from the interest session, “Paradigm Shift: The New Conductor/Composer Dynamic," by Reginald Unterseher. Presented during the 2013 ACDA National Conference.)
My perspective on the evolving way that conductors find and purchase music is formed by my experience as ... |
| ChoralBlog: Choral Caffeine: Professionalism Defined | Scott Dorsey | May 22, 2013 |
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(An excerpt from the article, “Unprofessional Airmanship Redefined” by Robert Mark on May 6th, 2013
Though the following comments are from an article on professional aviators, they are applicable to professionalism in every walk of life – including choral conductors.... |
| ChoralBuzz: CJ Replay: Argento on Composing | Scott Dorsey | May 21, 2013 |
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An excerpt from the Choral Journal article, “Building a Well-Made House: An Interview with Dominick Argento,” by Jeffrey Douma)
Douma: Do you find it helpful when you're beginning a composition to have a particular artist or ensemble in mind?
Argento: Oh yes. Not so much helpful as ... |
| ChoralBlog: ACDA Staff and Facility Safe | Scott Dorsey | May 21, 2013 |
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(Monday, May 20, 2013, 4:00 p.m. CDT) Despite massive devastation in various areas of the Oklahoma City metro area over the past 24 hours from a series of tornadoes, the American Choral Directors Association reports that the members of the staff and their families are safe. The ACDA na... |
| ChoralBuzz: Is It Really THEIR Voices? Teaching the Urban Youth Choir | Scott Dorsey | May 20, 2013 |
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(An excerpt from the interest session, "Is It Really THEIR Voices? Teaching the Urban Youth Choir," by Nicole Becker & Jeanne Goffi-Fynn. Presented during the 2013 ACDA National Conference.)
A person's voice is their means of expr... |
| ChoralBuzz: Monday Motivation: Four-Letter Word | Scott Dorsey | May 20, 2013 |
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| ChoralBlog: ACDA Seeking New R&S Leaders | Scott Dorsey | May 20, 2013 |
| One of the greatest benefits of ACDA membership is the opportunity to hold appointive or elective leadership positions in the Association. There are currently three openings within ACDA's national Repertoire & Standards structure:
Children's & Commun... |
| ChoralBuzz: Sunday Inspiration: Set Me as a Seal (Clausen) | Scott Dorsey | May 19, 2013 |
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| ChoralBuzz: Saturday Respite: Classic . . . and Hilarious | Scott Dorsey | May 18, 2013 |
| Yes, it's been around a long time, but it's brilliant and still hilarious!
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| ChoralBuzz: It's About the Phrase - Tempo & Articulation | Scott Dorsey | May 17, 2013 |
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| ChoralBuzz: Integrating Common-Core Learning Standards into the Choral Curriculum | Scott Dorsey | May 16, 2013 |
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(An excerpt from the interest session, “Integrating Common-Core Learning Standards into the Choral Curriculum," by Victoria J. Furby. Presented during the 2013 ACDA National Conference.)
Changing lesson planning ideas to address the Common Core Learning Standards is presenting... |
| ChoralBuzz: New "International Journal of Research in Choral Singing" Now Available | Scott Dorsey | May 16, 2013 |
| The Spring 2013 issue of the International Journal of Research in Choral Singing is now available!
The current edition includes such articles as "The English Choral Tradition and the Secular Trend in Boys' Pubertal Timing" (Ashley), "Changes in Tone Quality as a Function of Focus of Attention ... |
| ChoralBuzz: Paradigm Shift: The New Conductor/Composer Dynamic (Part 1) | Scott Dorsey | May 15, 2013 |
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(An excerpt from the panel session, "Paradigm Shift: The New Conductor/Composer Dynamic," by Deborah Simpkin King. Presented during the 2013 ACDA National Conference.)
PROJECT : ENCORE™ is an initiative formed for the purpose of promoting post-premiere performances of significant new chora... |
| ChoralBlog: Choral Caffeine: MORE Choral Music and Film | Scott Dorsey | May 15, 2013 |
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In last week's Choral Caffeine column, we commented that filmmakers are increasingly turning to choral musicians as subject matter for their films. Almost as if on cue comes this trailer for a documentary currently in production that highlights one of the choral art’s beloved figures.
AME... |
| Conference News: Student Composition Contest | Scott Dorsey | May 15, 2013 |
| The American Choral Directors Association is currently accepting applications for the 2014 Raymond W. Brock Memorial Student Music Composition Contest.
The award includes a cash prize of $1,000 and the prospect of having the work premiered during a divisional or national conference of the A... |
| ChoralBuzz: Vocal Jazz Concepts for Young Choirs | Scott Dorsey | May 14, 2013 |
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(An excerpt from the interest session, "Vocal Jazz Concepts for Young Choirs," by Natalie Wilson. Presented during the 2013 ACDA National Conference.)
As we choral directors strive to provide a multi-cultural program for our singers, we must include our own cultural music &n... |
| ChoralBlog: GUEST BLOG: "No More Straw Hats" by Joe Ceruti | Scott Dorsey | May 14, 2013 |
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NO MORE STRAW HATS by Joe Cerutti
It’s time to throw away the striped vests and straw hats! Barbershop isn’t just for old folks anymore!
If you haven’t been actively involved ... |
| ChoralBuzz: The Legacy of Lawson-Gould | Scott Dorsey | May 13, 2013 |
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(An excerpt from the interest session, "The Legacy of Lawson-Gould" by Alice Parker with Sally K. Albrecht and Michael Spresser. Presented during the 2013 ACDA National Conference.)
Walter Gould and Robert Lawson Shaw established the Lawson-Gould choral catalog in 1953, first publ... |
| ChoralBuzz: Monday Motivation: The Process is What Matters | Scott Dorsey | May 13, 2013 |
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| ChoralBlog: 38 Days on the Road | Scott Dorsey | May 13, 2013 |
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Concert tours are a relatively common event in the life of a college choir. The litany is familiar to many of us – long rides in a motor coach, pot-luck suppers in a church basement, warm receptions from concert audiences full of smiling alumni, and a welcome to a host home to end the day. To... |
| ChoralBuzz: Sunday Inspiration: Geistliches Lied (Brahms) | Scott Dorsey | May 12, 2013 |
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| ChoralBlog: Composition Spotlight: Through the Eyes of the Children | Scott Dorsey | May 12, 2013 |
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COMPOSITION SPOTLIGHT ~ by Jack Senzig
(Each week we look at a piece of useful repertoire from the ChoralNet Community Composition Showcase. A variety of voicings and levels of difficulty will be presented. Enjoy!)
Through the Eyes of the Children SATB or SA and piano
by Dary... |
| ChoralBuzz: Saturday Respite: A Gospel Sampler | Scott Dorsey | May 11, 2013 |
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While, yes, this is a promotion for Verison's “How Sweet the Sound” competition, it is still an amazing (albeit brief) sampler of some of the current trends in gospel choral music.
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| ChoralBuzz: It's About the Phrase - Scoops & Slides | Scott Dorsey | May 10, 2013 |
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| ChoralBuzz: Performance Attire Now on Display in ACDA Museum | Scott Dorsey | May 10, 2013 |
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A beautiful new exhibit has been added to the McMahon International Choral Music Museum at the ACDA national headquarters in Oklahoma City. “Dresses through the Decades” shows some of the developments that have occurred in the design of choral performance apparel. The displ... |
| ChoralBuzz: Designing Dynamic Websites | Scott Dorsey | May 9, 2013 |
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(An excerpt from the interest session, “Building and Maintaining Dynamic State Websites," by Howard Meharg. Presented during the 2013 ACDA National Conference.)
Websites are the “home-base” for information…the principa... |
| ChoralBuzz: Sweat, Tears, and Jazz Hands: The History of Show Choir from Vaudeville to Glee | Scott Dorsey | May 8, 2013 |
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(An excerpt from the interest session, "Sweat, Tears, and Jazz Hands: The History of Show Choir from Vaudeville to Glee," by Mike Weaver. Presented during the 2013 ACDA National Conference.)
As any American choral historian knows, Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians were doing show... |
| ChoralBlog: Choral Caffeine: Choral Music and Film | Scott Dorsey | May 8, 2013 |
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Increasingly, it seems, filmmakers are turning to choral musicians as subject matter for their films. We have shared a number of examples in this space, and several movies were featured in a film festival format during the recent ACDA National Conference in Dallas.
Here is a new... |
| ChoralBuzz: June/July Choral Journal Now Available | Scott Dorsey | May 8, 2013 |
| The June/July issue of the Choral Journal is now available at the ACDA website. The issue includes such articles as:
"Creating a Choir Culture: Lessons Learned from the Business World" (Aldrich)
"The Diverse Communities of a ... |
| Announcement: Singin’ Black and White: “A New Way Forward?” | Scott Dorsey | May 7, 2013 |
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Choirs in Southwest North Carolina have long collaborated across social differences, hoping to diversify and grow our choirs and audiences, and to effect significant, positive social change. After years of work, we had made little progress.
In April 2012, the Firebird Arts Alliance launched ... |
| ChoralBuzz: CJ Replay: Looking Back at a Look Ahead | Scott Dorsey | May 7, 2013 |
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(An excerpt from the Choral Journal article, “Choral Music: Predictions Regarding the 1980s,” by Lynn Whitten)
The student of today has posed many a problem for us, and the better educated, more liberated students of the 1980s will not ... |
