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

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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

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 “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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

New Jersey Chamber Singers performs the Duruflé Requiem in Manasquan

New Jersey Chamber Singers performs the Duruflé Requiem in Manasquan

Manasquan, NJ

New Jersey Cham... | Performance, Repertoire

Maurice Duruflé’s Requiem stands among the most respected masterworks in the canon of choral repertoire.  Drawing inspiration from Gregorian chant, this requiem evokes a profound depth of human emotion that is timeless yet still speaks to the modern soul.  We invite you to surrender all that is out-of-reach and immerse yourself within the lush harmonic colors and generous textures of French romanticism.  Join us on this musical quest for healing as we explore both our human frailty and our spiritual immortality.  Read more

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New Jersey Chamber Singers performs the Duruflé Requiem in Neptune

New Jersey Chamber Singers performs the Duruflé Requiem in Neptune

Neptune, NJ

New Jersey Cham... | Adults/Seniors, Audiences, Diversity, Families, General, Impact/Value, Innovation, Performance, Repertoire, Singing, Venue

Maurice Duruflé’s Requiem stands among the most respected masterworks in the canon of choral repertoire.  Drawing inspiration from Gregorian chant, this requiem evokes a profound depth of human emotion that is timeless yet still speaks to the modern soul.  We invite you to surrender all that is out-of-reach and immerse yourself within the lush harmonic colors and generous textures of French romanticism.  Join us on this musical quest for healing as we explore both our human frailty and our spiritual immortality. Read more

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The Washington Chorus Presents "Comin' Up Shoutin'"

The Washington Chorus Presents "Comin' Up Shoutin'"

Washington, DC

The Washington ... | Performance, Singing

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Masterworks at San Roque - Mozart and Beethoven

Masterworks at San Roque - Mozart and Beethoven

3200 Calle Cedro, Santa Barbara, CA

John A. Lynn | Audiences

  ·         JoAnne Wasserman, Conductor ·         Alexander Wasserman, Guest Artist, Piano ·         Mozart: Grand Mass in C Minor ·         Beethoven: Choral Fantasy Read more

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Time Zones ~~ Bach and Chaplin Merge!

Time Zones ~~ Bach and Chaplin Merge!

Pittsburgh, PA

BriGuySinger | Adults/Seniors, Audiences, Children/Youth, Conducting, Diversity, Families, History, Impact/Value, Innovation, Performance, Repertoire, Singing, Symphonic

The season of examining time and travel finishes with a juxtaposition of two distinct Time Zones, the first being that of our forebear and namesake, Johann Sebastian Bach, and the second being that of a writer, star and legend of the silent screen, Charlie Chaplin. In combining the musical genius of Bach with the brilliant silent narratives of Chaplin’s films, the Bach Choir bridges these two bountiful eras, creating a thought-provoking connection between artistic genres. Read more

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Mass Enlightenment

Mass Enlightenment

646 Richards Street, Vancouver, BC

Laudate Singers | Adults/Seniors, Audiences, Education, History, Performance

From Palestrina to Poulenc, Dufay to Kostiainen: 500 years of the Mass celebrated by the pure voices of Laudate Singers. Read more

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Mass Enlightenment

Mass Enlightenment

1044 St Georges Avenue, North Vancouver, BC

Laudate Singers | Adults/Seniors, Audiences, Diversity, Education, History, Performance, Singing

From Palestrina to Poulenc, Dufay to Kostiainen: 500 years of praise celebrated by the pure voices of Laudate Singers.   Read more

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Vox Femina Presents "Half the Sky" Choral Concert

Vox Femina Presents "Half the Sky" Choral Concert

Hollywood, CA

Green Gal | Performance

Vox Femina Los Angeles continues its 16th season with Half the Sky: Voices of Women Worldwide, a choral concert celebrating the courage and compassion of women around the globe, on Sunday, March 10, 2013 at 3:00pm at the Church of the Blessed Sacrament in Hollywood.  Read more

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SEVEN LAST WORDS FROM THE CROSS

SEVEN LAST WORDS FROM THE CROSS

Calgary, Alberta

Spiritus Chambe... | Adults/Seniors, Audiences

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Sound Imaginarium

Sound Imaginarium

1717 Bellevue Way NE, Bellevue, WA 98004

Master Chorus E... | Audiences

  An imaginarium is a place devoted to stimulating and cultivating the imagination.  Master Chorus Eastside explores the amazing and creative sound worlds of other cultures, other eras, and our own innovative age with Sound Imaginarium, a concert devoted to inspiring the imagination through the choral art.  Come enjoy a Mongolian rendering of their love affair with horses, the otherworldly sound of aboriginal overtone singing, the kaleidoscopic intricacies of a Bach fugue, and an exploration of the mind of Leonardo da Vinci as he dreams of a flying machine, and more, accompanied by the mighty organ at First Presbyterian Church of Bellevue.  You’ll have to hear it to believe it!   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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