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

Events

Central City Chorus presents "Now is the Month of Maying"

Central City Chorus presents "Now is the Month of Maying"

W. 87th St., between Broadway and West End Ave., New York, NY

Central City Ch... |

New York City's Central City Chorus and Music Director Phillip Cheah proudly present Now Is the Month of Maying, an evening of madrigals and part-songs to celebrate Spring, on Saturday, June 1, 2013, 8 pm, at the Church of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, W. 87th St., between Broadway and West End Avenue, New York, NY, 10024.  The program includes works by Morley, Byrd, Wilbye, Farmer, Stanford, Grainger, Saint-Saëns, and P.D.Q. Bach (the nefarious brainchild of musical satirist Peter Schickele).   Read more

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Angel City Chorale 20th Anniversary Concerts

Angel City Chorale 20th Anniversary Concerts

Los Angeles, CA

Green Gal | General

Angel City Chorale will commemorate its first two decades in song with special reunion concerts on Saturday, June 1 and Sunday, June 2, 2013. The Angel City Chorale 20th Anniversary Concerts will feature the West Coast premiere of Grammy Award-Winning Composer Christopher Tin’s Calling All Dawns. Read more

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Choral Arts presents Life Stories: The Choral Music of Eric Barnum

Choral Arts presents Life Stories: The Choral Music of Eric Barnum

Seattle, WA

Choral Arts | Audiences, Children/Youth, Community Outreach, Composing/Commissioning, Conducting, Education, General, Performance, Repertoire

An extraordinary concert devoted to the luminous harmonies and deep spirituality of one of America's foremost choral composers, Eric Barnum. This program features many of Barnum's most alluring works and includes the Seattle premiere of "Human Heart", performed as a combined finale with six exceptional student choirs. During the evening, Choral Arts will also premiere "Chronologic", its annual Finding Your Voice poetry contest commission. For more information visit: http://www.choral-arts.org/concerts/life-stories.html Read more

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IT'S OUR PARTY! A SWEET/SASSY 16 PARTY

IT'S OUR PARTY! A SWEET/SASSY 16 PARTY

200 South Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA

Vox Femina Los ... | Adults/Seniors, Audiences, CA News, Children/Youth, Civic Engagement, Community Outreach, Composing/Commissioning, Conducting, Diversity, Education, Families, General, Performance, Schools

MISSION: Vox Femina Los Angeles gives women voice through the performance of quality choral literature. Diverse in culture, age, race, belief and sexual identity, we are a chorus committed to commissioning new works and raising awareness about issues that affect us as a family of women. Through music, we aim to create a world that affirms the worth and dignity of every person. Read more

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La hija de Rappaccini

La hija de Rappaccini

Brooklyn, NY

emilymt | Performance

GOTHAM CHAMBER OPERA presents La hija de Rappaccini Mondays, June 17 and 24, 2013 at 7pm At Brooklyn Botanic Garden Read more

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Bucks County Choral Society

Bucks County Choral Society

5175 Cold Spring Creamery Road, Doylestown, PA 18902

Leland Felt | Performance

BUCKS COUNTY CHORAL SOCIETY Thomas Lloyd, Artistic Director 40TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT   Read more

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Verdi's Requiem

Verdi's Requiem

190 South Cascade Avenue Colorado Springs, CO 80903

Colorado Spring... |

G. Verdi's Requiem Guests of the Colorado Springs Philharmonic with assistance from the Colorado Vocal Arts Ensemble,  Soli Deo Gloria, and the Taylor Choir of Grace and St. Stephens Episcopal Church Read more

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A Choral Tapestry

A Choral Tapestry

Chevy Chase, MD

Ed Stawick |

Voices 21 closes its thirteenth season with a program that weaves an array of musical selections into one beautiful choral tapestry on the human response to nature's beauty. Read more

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A Choral Tapestry

A Choral Tapestry

Columbia, MD

Ed Stawick |

Voices 21 closes its thirteenth season with a program that weaves an array of musical selections into one beautiful choral tapestry on the human response to nature's beauty. Read more

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USAFA Band & Colorado Springs Chorale

USAFA Band & Colorado Springs Chorale

190 South Cascade Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80903

Colorado Spring... |

The Colorado Springs Regional Business Alliance Military Affairs Council and Mike Shaw Buick-GMC present The 2013 Armed Forces Week Concert, “Call of the Champions.” The Armed Forces Week celebration is one of the largest of its kind in the country. The Concert features the United States Air Force Academy Band, performing a program of inspirational and patriotic music and song. In 2012, over 2,000 people attended this event. The concert is open to the public, and is FREE of charge, although tickets are required. Tickets are available at the Pikes Peak Center and World Arena box offices beginning May 3rd. Limit 4 tickets per person. 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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