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Perhaps in a perfect world it’s possible to conduct a rehearsal without a single mistake. But experience and human nature suggest that this goal is a fantasy, no matter how devoutly we might wish otherwise. In the real world, mistakes are a part of life. Despite our best efforts to prevent them, mistakes will still…
When I was an undergrad at Western Michigan University, Dr. Joe Miller gave a lecture on the importance of owning quality choral CD’s (I guess now it would be MP3s). His lecture had two main points: 1) Recordings are always going to be expensive, so you should start collecting right away. 2) Quality recordings help…
Screwtape Maleficus, DMA (as told to Gerald Custer) 2013 is the fiftieth anniversary of the death of Clive Staples Lewis, author of the Screwtape Letters, a collection of infernal advice from a senior devil to his nephew Wormwood, an apprentice tempter. In Lewis’ honor, Screwtape has agreed to release the previously unpublished correspondence that follows. …
I retired after 34 years of teaching secondary choral music. It was a bit unexpected, but at the last moment, in a financial and familial sense, it became clear it was the right decision. It was painful to accept leaving the students, the program, the classroom, the profession. What does one do after 34 years…
I’m a full-time musician at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I’ve been at the church for 6 ½ years, but I’ve been in church music pretty much all of my life. Here are some of my favorite Lenten pieces for a mixed choir. “O Vos Omnes”– Pablo Casals This is my favorite Lenten…
I hope the title caught your attention! Not only are the Kings Singers soon to be performing in Michigan, but you may be interested in attending many other fine performances in your area! Please check the Area Reps tab on the ACDA Michigan site and find your area. Several of our reps have posted links…
Jared Anderson, Director of Choral Activities at Michigan Tech, presented a fascinating session at the Fall Conference. Here is a link to his extensive Handout: e pluribus unum
The choral world mourns the loss of Diane Loomer, co-founder of the internationally acclaimed women’s choir, Elektra, on December 10th at the age of 72. She is also credited with founding Chor Leoni, a highly regarded men’s choir that often toured with Elektra. Loomer emigrated from Minnesota to Vancouver in 1962, and quickly became a…
Confession, the spiritual masters tell us, is good for the soul. It’s not hard to see why. Confession lightens the conscience. It deflates the ego and allows us to offload the guilt we carry, sometimes without even being consciously aware of it. So I hope you’ll permit me the opportunity to confess a few secrets…
Our choral art form is unique: it is group story telling that unites music and words in a way that heightens the meaningful impact of each. The corporate aspect of choral music making—something done together by many different individuals at the same moment in time in the same place—powerfully magnifies and intensifies the impact of…
