Conducting & Performing

Chorus America advances the artistry of choruses by providing masterclasses for choral conductors, sessions on repertoire and performance practice, convenings of artistic directors, research on conducting careers and transitions, information on performance trends and innovations, and forums for discussion of artistic issues.

Articles

On Tour with the Eric Whitacre Singers

On Tour with the Eric Whitacre Singers

Kelsey Menehan | Audiences, Conducting, Performance, Repertoire, Singing, Venue

The Eric Whitacre Singers recently made its debut U.S. tour in March, organized and presented by Distinguished Concerts International New York (DCINY.) Chorus America asked four of the Singers to provide some insight into life on the road, performing in American venues, and working with a choral "rock star."    Read more

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Singing and Healthy Aging

Singing and Healthy Aging

Kelsey Menehan | Adults/Seniors, Health, Performance, Singing

Whether taking up a new activity or continuing a lifelong practice, older adults who sing are reaping a host of social and health benefits. Read more

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Conductor's Corner: Tips for Healthy Rehearsals

Conductor's Corner: Tips for Healthy Rehearsals

Kelsey Menehan | Conducting, Health, Rehearsal, Singing, Technique/Tool

As wonderful and therapeutic as choral singing can be, the rehearsal process is sometimes stressful for both singers and conductors. Here are a few ideas for creating a hospitable and healthy space that enhances the body, mind, and spirit of all involved.  Read more

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Member Spotlight: Dominick DiOrio, Composer and Choral Conductor, Indiana University

Member Spotlight: Dominick DiOrio, Composer and Choral Conductor, Indiana University

Kelsey Menehan | Composing/Commissioning, Education, General, Impact/Value, Innovation, Participation, Performance, Professional, Singing

Dominick DiOrio is one of the youngest people ever to be hired on the conducting faculty at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. He leads the Contemporary Vocal Ensemble, a 30-member auditioned ensemble that specializes in music of the last 50 years. Chorus America talked to DiOrio about his own compositions and his passion for finding and performing the music of contemporary composers. Read more

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Can Everybody Sing?

Can Everybody Sing?

Singer and Composer Melanie DeMore Says Yes!

Kelsey Menehan | Audiences, Community Outreach, Conducting, Diversity, Participation, Performance, Rehearsal, Singing, Technique/Tool

Singer and composer Melanie DeMore enjoys nothing more than gathering together a group of people and forming a spontaneous choir. “I think that singing in a community allows people to have a certain bigness that they cannot have in a solitary way,” she says. In this Chorus America interview, DeMore talks about the importance of spreading the gift of choral singing far and wide.  Read more

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Member Spotlight: Jerry Rubino, Voices of Experience, Minneapolis

Member Spotlight: Jerry Rubino, Voices of Experience, Minneapolis

Kelsey Menehan | Adults/Seniors, Community Outreach, Conducting, Education, General, Health, Professional, Singing, Symphonic

After 23 years of many roles with the Dale Warland Singers, including associate conductor, Jerry Rubino is leading a new "artistically ambitious" choir of seniors called Voices of Experience. Chorus America talked to Rubino about what he calls his "ministry" of music—how he encourages singers to bring their full, expressive selves to singing. Read more

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Celebrating the Life of Diane Loomer, C.M. 1940-2012

Celebrating the Life of Diane Loomer, C.M. 1940-2012

Chorus America Staff | Careers, General, Profile

On December 10th, the choral world lost one of its celebrated and respected choral conductors. Diane Loomer died in Vancouver, Canada after a short illness. She was 72. Here Chorus America board members Susan Knight and Leonard Ratzlaff remember their colleague and friend. Read more

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Remembering Dave Brubeck

Remembering Dave Brubeck

Tom Hall | Careers, Composing/Commissioning, General, Impact/Value, Profile

Music director and radio host Tom Hall remembers his friend and colleague, jazz musician Dave Brubeck, who passed away just short of his 92nd birthday. Read more

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Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem

Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem

An Act of International Reconciliation

Dr John Evans | Audiences, Composing/Commissioning, Conducting, History, Impact/Value, Performance, Repertoire

As the world celebrates the centenary of this central figure of 20th century classical music, noted scholar John Evans illuminates the power and impact of his great choral-orchestral work. Read more

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Conductor's Corner: When What You Say Is Not What You Get

Conductor's Corner: When What You Say Is Not What You Get

Axel Theimer | Adults/Seniors, Conducting, Education, Performance, Rehearsal, Research/Data, Singing

Do you feel like the instructions you are giving your singers in rehearsal are not getting the desired result? Conductor Axel Theimer, the founder and artistic director of the Twin Cities-based Kantorei, has developed new approaches that align with research on how humans learn best. Consider his strategies for putting your singers at ease and tapping into their abilities. Read more

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Resources

The Choral Arrangements of Gene Glickman: Part II

The Choral Arrangements of Gene Glickman: Part II

Chorus America Staff | Composing/Commissioning, Repertoire, Research/Data

Research Memorandum Series No. 191 Read more

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The Choral Arrangements of Gene Glickman: Part I

The Choral Arrangements of Gene Glickman: Part I

Chorus America Staff | Composing/Commissioning, Repertoire, Research/Data

Research Memorandum Series No. 190 Read more

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The Choral Music of Healey Willan: Part III

The Choral Music of Healey Willan: Part III

Chorus America Staff | Composing/Commissioning, Repertoire, Research/Data

Research Memorandum Series No. 189 Read more

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Events

Haydn In Paris

Haydn In Paris

Boston, MA

Handel and Hayd... | Adults/Seniors, Audiences, General, Professional, Repertoire

Under Harry Christophers' expert hands, Haydn comes to life in a program that showcases one of his Paris Symphonies, The Bear, a festive and jubilant work commissioned by a Parisian orchestra in the 1780s. H&H's fiery and expressive Concertmaster, Aisslinn Nosky, returns to the spotlight after the smashing success of her Vivaldi The Four Seasons performances in 2012. Read more

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Purcell The Indian Queen

Purcell The Indian Queen

Boston, MA

Handel and Hayd... | Adults/Seniors, Audiences, Conducting, General, Performance

H&H presents a program of comedy, romance, intrigue, and beautiful music with this dramatic semi-opera and scenes from other Purcell works. Read more

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Purcell The Indian Queen

Purcell The Indian Queen

Boston, MA

Handel and Hayd... | Adults/Seniors, Audiences, Awards, Careers, Civic Engagement, Community Outreach, Composing/Commissioning, Conducting, Diversity, Education, Families, General, Impact/Value, Performance, Singing, Symphonic, Venue

H&H presents a program of comedy, romance, intrigue, and beautiful music with this dramatic semi-opera and scenes from other Purcell works. Read more

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Susquehanna Chorale "La Traviata" by Giuseppe Verdi

Susquehanna Chorale "La Traviata" by Giuseppe Verdi

500 Walnut St., Harrisburg, PA

Susquehanna Cho... | Audiences

Hear the drama as the Susquehanna Chorale appears with Stuart Malina and the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra to bring this popular Italian opera to life in a passionate concert performance. Read more

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Susquehanna Chorale "La Traviata" by Giuseppe Verdi

Susquehanna Chorale "La Traviata" by Giuseppe Verdi

500 Walnut St., Harrisburg, PA

Susquehanna Cho... | Audiences

Hear the drama as the Susquehanna Chorale appears with Stuart Malina and the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra to bring this popular Italian opera to life in a passionate concert performance. Read more

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The Complete Conductor: Orchestral Conducting for the Choral Director

The Complete Conductor: Orchestral Conducting for the Choral Director

New York City

Jeffery Thyer | Conducting, Education, General, Networking, Performance, Professional, Rehearsal, Repertoire, Technique/Tool

The Complete Conductor: Orchestral Conducting for the Choral Director is an intensive program for choral directors to gain more experience in working with an orchestra. Read more

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ELIOGABALO

ELIOGABALO

New York City

emilymt | Performance

Gotham Chamber Opera continues its 2012-2013 Season with ELIOGABALO (1667) by Francesco Cavalli. This production of Eliogabalo will be staged by James Marvel and produced in cooperation with Randy Weiner (Sleep No More) in one of New York’s most decadent nightspots: The Box, on the Lower East Side. Read more

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Masterworks at San Roque - Mozart and Beethoven

Masterworks at San Roque - Mozart and Beethoven

Santa Barbara, CA

John A. Lynn |

  ·         JoAnne Wasserman, Conductor ·         Alexander Wasserman, Guest Artist, Piano ·         Mozart: Grand Mass in C Minor ·         Beethoven: Choral Fantasy   Artistic Director and Conductor JoAnne Wasserman will lead pianist Alexander Wasserman and members of the Choral Society in performances of Mozart’s Grand Mass in C Minor and Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy.     Date & Time:     Saturday, March 9, 2013 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, March 10, 2013 at 3 p.m. New pre-concert event: Dr. Stephen Dombek presents a lively discussion about the music 30 minutes before each performance (for ticketholders). Location:            San Roque Catholic Church – 3200 Calle Cedro, Santa Barbara   Cost:                   $20 in advance; $25 at the door; $20 seniors/students (all tickets). For group discounts, call 965-6577.   Tickets are available online at www.sbchoral.org and at Chaucer’s Books or call (805) 965-6577. Read more

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Santa Barbara Choral Society Presents Handel’s Messiah/Holiday Concert

Santa Barbara Choral Society Presents Handel’s Messiah/Holiday Concert

3200 Calle Cedro, Santa Barbara, CA

John A. Lynn | Audiences

  Let the power of 100 singers uplift you as the Santa Barbara Choral Society presents Handel’s Messiah Part 1 in a special holiday concert. Giving voice to the deepest sentiments of the holidays, the Santa Barbara Choral Society, soloists and orchestra, will fill the brilliantly resonant space of San Roque Catholic Church with sounds of comfort and joy.    Artistic Director JoAnne Wasserman will lead soprano Celeste Tavera, mezzo-soprano Diana Tash, tenor Ben Brecher, and Music Academy alum, bass DeAndre Simmons, along with the Santa Barbara Choral Society orchestra and the members of the Choral Society in the performance of Handel’s Messiah Part 1, and evocative arrangements of traditional holiday texts from chant to contemporary. Following the Messiah Part 1, the second half of the concert features some new pieces that the Choral Society has never performed before as well as several traditional holiday pieces.    Date: Saturday, December 15, 2012 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, December 16, 2012 at 3 p.m. Location:  San Roque Catholic Church – 3200 Calle Cedro, Santa Barbara Cost: $20 – in advance (all tickets); $25 – adults at the door; $20 – seniors/students - $20 For group discounts call (805) 965-6577   Tickets are available online at www.sbchoral.org and at Chaucer’s Books. Read more

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Handel's Messiah (Period Performance) in Kansas City

Handel's Messiah (Period Performance) in Kansas City

Mission, KS & Kansas City, MO

Spire Chamber E... |

Handel's Messiah (Period Performance) Period Performance featuring the Spire Baroque Orchestra and Soloists from the Choir Read more

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Dialogue

Questions During Rehearsal?

Questions During Rehearsal?

Anonymous | Rehearsal, Singing

Conductors, do you let your singers ask questions during rehearsal? What are the pros and cons? Read more

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