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

Messing with Messiah

Messing with Messiah

Kelsey Menehan | Composing/Commissioning, Innovation, Repertoire

The "Hallelujah" chorus is the signature piece from Handel's popular oratorio, as much a part of holiday festivities as "O Tannenbaum" and tinsel. In fact, the entire Messiah has permeated our culture so completely that modern-day musicians have felt free to put their own stamp on it. Read more

  • Views (739)
  • Favorites (0)
  • Comments (0)
Is it Ok to Ask Questions During Rehearsal? Tips and Strategies

Is it Ok to Ask Questions During Rehearsal? Tips and Strategies

Kelsey Menehan | Conducting, Governance, Management/Leadership, Participation, Performance, Rehearsal, Singing, Technique/Tool

Here are more techniques for both conductors and singers to consider after reading the article "Is It Okay to Ask Questions During Rehearsal" by Kelsey Menehan. Read more

  • Views (524)
  • Favorites (0)
  • Comments (0)
 “Call Me Maybe” Gets a Choral Twist

“Call Me Maybe” Gets a Choral Twist

Viral Video Shines New Light on Choral Music

Lauren Rosenthal | Composing/Commissioning, Conducting, Impact/Value, Innovation, Performance, Profile, Rehearsal, Singing

If you’ve been on the internet during the past month, you’ve probably seen the quirky viral video of a chorus and orchestra covering the popular, can’t-get-it-out-of-your head song “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen. There are hundreds of other videos online covering the song, ranging from topics like NFL replacement referees to the United States Olympic swim team, so what makes this one so special? With more than two million hits and counting on YouTube, mentions in newspapers around the country, and even a featured performance on the Today Show, who knew choral music could go so viral? Read more

  • Views (1,294)
  • Favorites (0)
  • Comments (1)
A Chorister's Front Row Seat on History

A Chorister's Front Row Seat on History

Singing for the Soviets during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis

Jody Kerssenbrock | Community Outreach, History, Impact/Value, Participation, Performance, Professional, Repertoire, Singing, Symphonic

The Robert Shaw Chorale and Orchestra’s 1962 tour of Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union was more than anyone bargained for. Jody Kerssenbrock, then a 25-year-old chorister, remembers what it was like to be in "enemy" territory during the Cuban Missile Crisis, when the world came as close as it ever has to a nuclear war. Read more

  • Views (1,094)
  • Favorites (0)
  • Comments (2)
The Evolution of Choral Concerts: Creating Multisensory Experiences

The Evolution of Choral Concerts: Creating Multisensory Experiences

Kevin Frey | Adults/Seniors, Audiences, Community Outreach, Conducting, Diversity, General, Impact/Value, Innovation, Participation, Performance, Singing

No longer is choral music constrained to choristers standing on risers at the front of a church or concert hall. In recent years, the traditional format has evolved into multisensory, multimedia experiences. Read more

  • Views (1,753)
  • Favorites (0)
  • Comments (0)
The Art of Setting Text

The Art of Setting Text

A Conversation with Libby Larsen and Dale Warland

Don Lee | Composing/Commissioning, Repertoire, Technique/Tool

A renowned composer and choral artist discuss the challenges of choosing and setting texts—what every composer, conductor, and chorus seeking to commission a new choral work should know. Read more

  • Views (2,179)
  • Favorites (1)
  • Comments (2)
Member Spotlight: Roland Carter

Member Spotlight: Roland Carter

Preserving and Performing African-American Music

Chorus America Staff | Civic Engagement, Conducting, Diversity, Education, History, Impact/Value, Performance, Profile, Repertoire, Singing

Choral conductor and composer/arranger Roland Carter has a passion for finding and performing the rich array of choral music from the African-American tradition. While at the 2012 Chorus America Conference in Minneapolis, Chorus America talked with Carter about his life and work.  Read more

  • Views (1,172)
  • Favorites (0)
  • Comments (0)
Member Spotlight: Justin Raffa and Mid-Columbia Mastersingers, Washington State

Member Spotlight: Justin Raffa and Mid-Columbia Mastersingers, Washington State

Kelsey Menehan | Civic Engagement, Community Outreach, Conducting, Impact/Value, Performance, Repertoire

Artistic director of the Mid-Columbia Mastersingers since 2008, Justin Raffa has spearheaded a series of outreach programs within the Tri-Cities’ Latino community. Read more

  • Views (1,251)
  • Favorites (0)
  • Comments (0)
How To Recruit Volunteer Singers

How To Recruit Volunteer Singers

Kelsey Menehan | Management/Leadership, Marketing/Public Relations, Singing, Social Media, Volunteer

Strategies for reaching out to prospective singers Read more

  • Views (185,673)
  • Favorites (2)
  • Comments (0)
Alice Parker: The Belle of Hawley

Alice Parker: The Belle of Hawley

Matthew Sigman | Composing/Commissioning, Conducting, Singing

This peripatetic Jenny Appleseed of melody continues to traverse the country as a distinguished teacher, coach, conductor, and advocate for words and melody Read more

  • Views (1,970)
  • Favorites (0)
  • Comments (2)

Resources

Choral-Orchestral Engagements

Choral-Orchestral Engagements

Survey Results and Best Practices

Chorus America Staff | Community Outreach, Legal/Licensing, Operations, Performance, Research/Data, Sample/Template, Symphonic, Technique/Tool

This 2004 whitepaper provides practical guidance on the unique issues choruses face in working with orchestras for concert engagements. Based on data gathered from Chorus America's symphonic chorus members, it also provides a sample contract and budget to use when negotiating your engagement. Read more

  • Views (692)
  • Favorites (0)
  • Comments (0)
Choral Conductors Today: A Study

Choral Conductors Today: A Study

Chorus America Staff | Careers, Conducting, Management/Leadership, Recruitment, Research/Data

Chorus America interviewed more than 700 conductors about their career paths, levels of education, salary, job satisfaction, and more in 2005. The resulting data provides a profile of the "typical" choral conductor that may be surprising. Read more

  • Views (1,143)
  • Favorites (0)
  • Comments (0)
Additional content: Ambassadors of Peace

Additional content: Ambassadors of Peace

Kelsey Menehan | Community Outreach, Impact/Value, Profile, Repertoire, Singing

Examples of concert programming that are designed on themes of peace or reconciliation. Partner piece to "How Choruses Have Become Ambassadors of Peace." Read more

  • Views (719)
  • Favorites (0)
  • Comments (0)
28 American Master Choral Composers

28 American Master Choral Composers

A Repertoire and Recording Listing to Support NEA's American Masterpieces

Chorus America Staff | Composing/Commissioning, Conducting, Government/Policy, Repertoire

Celebrating America's greatest choral composers, this publication provides repertoire and recording lists for 28 composers from Billings to Whitacre. Read more

  • Views (998)
  • Favorites (0)
  • Comments (0)
Commissioning Timeline

Commissioning Timeline

Chorus America Staff | Composing/Commissioning, Operations, Sample/Template

Commissioning a new work? Follow this two-year timeline to help plot out which steps you should take when. This timeline is appropriate for a work that does not involve complicated instrumental requirements or multiple movements. Read more

  • Views (550)
  • Favorites (0)
  • Comments (0)
'Music Director Transition' Tool: Sample Search Timeline

'Music Director Transition' Tool: Sample Search Timeline

Chorus America Staff | Careers, Conducting, Governance, Operations, Sample/Template, Strategic Planning

A sample timeline to help with music director search planning. Read more

  • Views (573)
  • Favorites (0)
  • Comments (0)
'Music Director Transition' Tool: Readiness Quiz

'Music Director Transition' Tool: Readiness Quiz

Chorus America Staff | Careers, Conducting, Governance, Operations, Strategic Planning, Technique/Tool

Is your chorus ready for a founder transition? This 9-question quiz will help you determine the answer. Read more

  • Views (542)
  • Favorites (0)
  • Comments (0)

Events

Susquehanna Chorale "Sojourn"

Susquehanna Chorale "Sojourn"

One Ames Ave., Chautauqua, NY

Susquehanna Cho... | Audiences

  This spring, there is something to refresh and delight you at every corner, at every bend in the road. Come to "Sojourn" and experience surprise, color, and rebirth in a mix of styles that's sure to inspire you.   Read more

  • Views (50)
  • Favorites (0)
  • Comments (0)
Susquehanna Chorale "Sojourn"

Susquehanna Chorale "Sojourn"

Messiah College, One College Ave., Grantham, PA

Susquehanna Cho... | Audiences

  This spring, there is something to refresh and delight you at every corner, at every bend in the road. Come to "Sojourn" and experience surprise, color, and rebirth in a mix of styles that's sure to inspire you.   Read more

  • Views (48)
  • Favorites (0)
  • Comments (0)
Susquehanna Chorae Sojourn

Susquehanna Chorae Sojourn

64 W. Chocolate Ave., Hershey, PA 17033

Susquehanna Cho... |

This spring, there is something to refresh and delight you at every corner, at every bend in the road. Come to "Sojourn" and experience surprise, color, and rebirth in a mix of styles that's sure to inspire you. Read more

  • Views (54)
  • Favorites (0)
  • Comments (0)
Concert: The American Choral Tradition

Concert: The American Choral Tradition

545 Meadow Road, W. Windsor, NJ

Princeton Pro Musica | Adults/Seniors, Audiences, General, Performance, Repertoire

Princeton Pro Musica closes its 34th concert season with a celebration of The American Choral Trandition on Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 3pm in the Princeton Meadow Event Center. Read more

  • Views (73)
  • Favorites (0)
  • Comments (0)
Spring Hymn Sing

Spring Hymn Sing

1000 Elm Street, Glenview, IL 60025

Sheryl1017 | Adults/Seniors, Audiences, General, Participation, Performance, Singing

Come and sing praises at a Hymn Festival led by acclaimed organist and improviser Bruce Neswick.        Read more

  • Views (103)
  • Favorites (0)
  • Comments (0)
GOTHAM @ LPR: Gotham Chamber Opera and Missy Mazzoli Conspire

GOTHAM @ LPR: Gotham Chamber Opera and Missy Mazzoli Conspire

New York City

emilymt | Professional

GOTHAM CHAMBER OPERA’S 2012-2013 Season continues with GOTHAM @ LPR: Gotham Chamber Opera and Missy Mazzoli Conspire May 22, 2013 at 7:30pm at (le) poisson rouge Read more

  • Views (54)
  • Favorites (0)
  • Comments (0)
The Collegiate Chorale’s 2013 Spring Benefit

The Collegiate Chorale’s 2013 Spring Benefit

New York City

emilymt | Professional

 The Collegiate Chorale's 2013 Spring Benefit honoring the Verbier Festival on April 30, 2013 at Carnegie Hall Read more

  • Views (59)
  • Favorites (0)
  • Comments (0)
The A Cappella American Songbook

The A Cappella American Songbook

171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville, IL 60540

Matt Greenberg | Adults/Seniors, Audiences, Children/Youth, Families, General, Performance, Singing

  CHICAGO A CAPPELLA PRESENTS THE TIMELESS MUSICAL TREASURES OF AMERICAN POPULAR SONG Read more

  • Views (86)
  • Favorites (0)
  • Comments (0)
The A Cappella American Songbook

The A Cappella American Songbook

460 Lake St., Oak Park, IL

Matt Greenberg | Adults/Seniors, Audiences, Children/Youth, Families, General, Performance, Singing

  CHICAGO A CAPPELLA PRESENTS THE TIMELESS MUSICAL TREASURES OF AMERICAN POPULAR SONG Read more

  • Views (82)
  • Favorites (0)
  • Comments (0)
The A Cappella American Songbook

The A Cappella American Songbook

1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston, IL

Matt Greenberg | Adults/Seniors, Audiences, Children/Youth, Families, General, Performance, Singing

    CHICAGO A CAPPELLA PRESENTS THE TIMELESS MUSICAL TREASURES OF AMERICAN POPULAR SONG   Read more

  • Views (75)
  • Favorites (0)
  • Comments (0)

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

  • Views (692)
  • Favorites (0)
  • Comments (0)