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

What Every Chorus Should Know About Its Singers

What Every Chorus Should Know About Its Singers

Chorus America Staff | Impact/Value, Management/Leadership, Participation, Singing, Volunteer

What do choral singers wish their chorus managers and music directors knew about them? What would make singers' experience in the chorus more enjoyable, more meaningful, more fun? Read more

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Boys to Men: Singing Through Voice Change

Boys to Men: Singing Through Voice Change

Chloe Veltman | Children/Youth, Education, Health, Participation, Schools, Singing

An influx of new programs are beginning to recognize the value of keeping boys singing—through changing voices and for a lifetime. Read more

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Keeping Singers Well: Exercise and Sleep

Keeping Singers Well: Exercise and Sleep

Matthew Sigman | Health, Singing

When your body is the instrument, it's imperative to keep it in tip-top shape with good exercise habits and the right amount of sleep. Read more

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Keeping Singers Well: Hydration

Keeping Singers Well: Hydration

Matthew Sigman | Health, Singing

While it is ultimately the responsibility of the singer to stay properly hydrated, it's not always so easy. Read more

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Why the Bach Passions Are Problematic

Why the Bach Passions Are Problematic

Tom Hall | History, Performance, Repertoire

What is our responsibility as singers and as choruses when historic choral works are offensive, even hostile, to a whole group of people? Tom Hall, music director of the Baltimore Choral Arts Society, discusses Bach's St. Matthew Passion and St. John Passion. Read more

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Spotlight on Eric Whitacre

Spotlight on Eric Whitacre

Kelsey Menehan | Composing/Commissioning, Innovation, Profile, Repertoire, Singing

We take a look at the man behind the cluster chords: how Eric Whitacre arrived at a life in music, and the ups and downs he's encountered along the way. Read more

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Selecting Music for Diverse Audiences

Selecting Music for Diverse Audiences

An Interview with Julian Wachner

Chorus America Staff | Audiences, Conducting, Innovation, Profile, Repertoire

With so many music directors juggling multiple podiums, choosing repertoire that meets the specific needs of each chorus and the audience in that community takes on special significance. Read more

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The Rise of A Cappella

The Rise of A Cappella

An Interview with CASA Founder and Sing-Off Producer Deke Sharon

Chorus America Staff | Careers, Community Outreach

Choral music—especially a cappella choral music—is more popular than ever it seems. Chorus America sat down with Deke Sharon, founder of the Contemporary A Cappella Society of America (CASA) and a producer of NBC's The Sing-Off, to get the inside scoop behind the a cappella choral music movement and its current place in pop culture. Read more

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The Art and Science of Good Sound Design

The Art and Science of Good Sound Design

Michael Shaughnessy | Audiences, Performance, Technology

Whether your needs are as simple as amplifying announcements from the podium or as complex as balancing voices with instruments in a large space, paying attention to sound design can make or break your concert. Read more

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5 Tips for Performing Rachmaninoff's All-Night Vigil

5 Tips for Performing Rachmaninoff's All-Night Vigil

Alexander Ruggieri | Rehearsal, Repertoire, Singing, Technique/Tool

The All-Night Vigil doesn't last all night anymore, but doing what it takes to perform it well certainly can keep conductors and singers up nights. Here are five tips for conquering this masterpiece: Read more

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Resources

The Choral Works of Hamish MacCunn (1868–1916)

The Choral Works of Hamish MacCunn (1868–1916)

Jennifer Oates | Audiences, Composing/Commissioning, Conducting, History, Performance, Repertoire, Research/Data, Singing

This issue provides insight into the music of Hamish MacCunn, Scottish romantic composer, conductor, and teacher. Jennifer Oates gives us a complete listing of MacCunn's choral works, including audio file examples. Read more

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David Hamilton’s Music for Choir and Instrumental Ensemble

David Hamilton’s Music for Choir and Instrumental Ensemble

Chorus America Staff | Composing/Commissioning, Conducting, Performance, Rehearsal, Repertoire, Singing

Research Memorandum Series No. 202 This issue provides insight into the music of David Hamilton, prolific composer and music educator from New Zealand. Jennifer Morgan Flory gives us a complete listing of Hamilton's works for choir and intstrumental ensemble. Read more

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John Corigliano's Of Rage and Rememberance

John Corigliano's Of Rage and Rememberance

Community and Ritual in the Age of AIDS

Chorus America Staff | Repertoire

American Choral Review 54 includes an analysis of John Corigliano's work inspired by the AIDS crisis as well as reviews of summer festivals. Read more

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The Choral Works of Stephen Chatman

The Choral Works of Stephen Chatman

Chorus America Staff | Conducting, Repertoire, Research/Data

Research Memorandum Series No. 201. This issue provides insight into the music of Stephen Chatman, internationally known Canadian composer and teacher. Graeme Langager gives us a complete listing of Chatman's published and unpublished choral compositions. Read more

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Renaissance and Baroque Performance Practice: Invaluable Resources for the Choral Conductor

Renaissance and Baroque Performance Practice: Invaluable Resources for the Choral Conductor

Chorus America Staff | Conducting, Research/Data

Research Memorandum Series No. 200. A thorough and definitive compilation of resources in Renaissance and Baroque performance practice spanning, approximately, the past 70 years. This issue provides a broad yet in-depth overview of the manifold issues faced by choral conductors in preparing performances of music from these time periods. Read more

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Navigating a Music Director Transition

Navigating a Music Director Transition

An Online Seminar

Chorus America Staff | Careers, Conducting, Governance, Operations, Strategic Planning, Technology

Responding to survey data that revealed that 33% of responding conductors were founding directors that anticipated retiring from their ensembles within 5-10 years, Chorus America created this online seminar, Navigating a Music Director Transition. Packed full of video interviews with leaders in the field who have addressed this transition from all different roles (departing music director, incoming music director, board president, executive director, search committee member, etc.), as well as practical worksheets and tools, the 4-part seminar is a vital resource for any choruses anticipating an artistic change. Read more

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Kent Tritle on Monteverdi Vespers

Kent Tritle on Monteverdi Vespers

Kent Tritle | Conducting, Performance, Repertoire

Conductor Kent Tritle, who conducted Monteverdi's Vespers at the 2011 Berkshire Choral Festival, offers his insights on the challenges of singing this seminal choral work. Read more

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Arthur Farwell’s New York City “Song and Light Festival”

Arthur Farwell’s New York City “Song and Light Festival”

Chorus America Staff | Research/Data

American Choral Review 53.2 Read more

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Singer Audition Form

Singer Audition Form

Chorus America Staff | Evaluation, Operations, Recruitment, Sample/Template, Singing

A sample form for conductors to use when evaluating potential singers. Read more

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Orchestra Contract

Orchestra Contract

Chorus America Staff | Legal/Licensing, Operations, Performance, Sample/Template

Use this basic sample contract when your chorus is retained to perform by an orchestra. Read more

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Events

New Music for Treble Voices Festival

New Music for Treble Voices Festival

555 Waverley St., Palo Alto CA

Susan Rooke | Audiences, Children/Youth, Community Outreach, Impact/Value, Innovation, Performance, Repertoire, Singing

The Peninsula Women's Chorus hosts the sixth annual edition of the exciting and innovative New Music for Treble Voices Festival. Read more

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The New York Virtuoso Singers’ Third Concert of 25th Anniversary Season

The New York Virtuoso Singers’ Third Concert of 25th Anniversary Season

129 West 67th St. (btw Broadway and Amsterdam) in Manhattan

Harold Rosenbaum | Professional

  The New York Virtuoso Singers, Harold Rosenbaum, Conductor and Artistic Director, will present the third concert of their 25th Anniversary season, co-sponsored by Merkin Concert Hall.   Read more

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Toronto Mendelssohn Choir concert webcast

Toronto Mendelssohn Choir concert webcast

Toronto, Ontario

Toronto Mendels... | Audiences, Community Outreach

For choral music lovers across Canada, the U.S. and around the world, the TMC will webcast their performance of Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle live at www.tmchoir.org as part of its outreach program.  Register online with an email and enjoy the concert from anywhere on Sat, Feb 9 at 3 pm ET, UTC -5. TMC webcasts are now flash and iPhone and iPad compatible.  Read more

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Sounds of Motown!

Sounds of Motown!

1000 Elm Street, Glenview, Illinois

Melinda Pollack... | Audiences

The Sing to Live® Community Chorus was created in 2005 by a breast cancer survivor to provide a unique musical outlet and supported environment to singers, both men and women, whose lives have been touched by breast cancer.  Breast cancer survivors are given complementary tickets.  Visit our website (www.singtolive.org) for more information about the chorus and how to donate! We hope to have you in our audience!       Read more

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Cordus Mundi/Bel Canto Children's Chorus Collaborative Concert

Cordus Mundi/Bel Canto Children's Chorus Collaborative Concert

Doylestown, PA

Rick Rosen | Performance

Bucks County-based male a cappella group Cordus Mundi will present a collaborative vocal concert with the Bel Canto Children’s Chorus on Saturday, March 2 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Doylestown. The program includes independent concert sets from each group, as well as several pieces sung together by the combined choirs. Read more

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Eric Whitacre and the Eric Whitacre Singers | Inspirations: North American Debut Tour

Eric Whitacre and the Eric Whitacre Singers | Inspirations: North American Debut Tour

New York, NY

DCINY | Audiences, Conducting, Impact/Value, Performance, Singing

  Announcing the debut US tour of Eric Whitacre and his professional choir, the Eric Whitacre Singers in March 2013 – Washington DC, Boston, Philadelphia and New York City. The programme will include recent works from Eric such as “Alleluia” and “The City and the Sea” as well as some of the greats of his catalogue, “When David Heard“, “A Boy and a Girl” and “Leonardo Dreams of his Flying Machine“. Other composers featured include Lauridsen, Monteverdi and Bach. Read more

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Eric Whitacre and the Eric Whitacre Singers | Inspirations: North American Debut Tour

Eric Whitacre and the Eric Whitacre Singers | Inspirations: North American Debut Tour

Philadelphia, PA

DCINY | Audiences, Conducting, Impact/Value, Performance, Singing

  Announcing the debut US tour of Eric Whitacre and his professional choir, the Eric Whitacre Singers in March 2013 – Washington DC, Boston, Philadelphia and New York City. The programme will include recent works from Eric such as “Alleluia” and “The City and the Sea” as well as some of the greats of his catalogue, “When David Heard“, “A Boy and a Girl” and “Leonardo Dreams of his Flying Machine“. Other composers featured include Lauridsen, Monteverdi and Bach. Read more

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Eric Whitacre and the Eric Whitacre Singers | Inspirations: North American Debut Tour

Eric Whitacre and the Eric Whitacre Singers | Inspirations: North American Debut Tour

Boston, MA

DCINY | Audiences, Conducting, Impact/Value, Performance, Professional, Singing

  Announcing the debut US tour of Eric Whitacre and his professional choir, the Eric Whitacre Singers in March 2013 – Washington DC, Boston, Philadelphia and New York City. The programme will include recent works from Eric such as “Alleluia” and “The City and the Sea” as well as some of the greats of his catalogue, “When David Heard“, “A Boy and a Girl” and “Leonardo Dreams of his Flying Machine“. Other composers featured include Lauridsen, Monteverdi and Bach. Read more

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Eric Whitacre and the Eric Whitacre Singers | Inspirations: North American Debut Tour

Eric Whitacre and the Eric Whitacre Singers | Inspirations: North American Debut Tour

North Bethesda, MD

DCINY | Audiences, Composing/Commissioning, Conducting, Impact/Value, Performance, Professional, Singing

  Announcing the debut US tour of Eric Whitacre and his professional choir, the Eric Whitacre Singers in March 2013 – Washington DC, Boston, Philadelphia and New York City. The programme will include recent works from Eric such as “Alleluia” and “The City and the Sea” as well as some of the greats of his catalogue, “When David Heard“, “A Boy and a Girl” and “Leonardo Dreams of his Flying Machine“. Other composers featured include Lauridsen, Monteverdi and Bach.     Read more

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Choral Conducting Master Class with Dr. Jan Harrington

Choral Conducting Master Class with Dr. Jan Harrington

Princeton, NJ

The Princeton F... | Adults/Seniors, Conducting, Education, General, Performance, Rehearsal, Technique/Tool

This 5-day professional choral conducting master class will offer practical rehearsal strategies, choral warm-up ideas, and sessions on performance issues, score study and preparation, creating compelling performances, and readings of new and recently published choral literature for choirs of all levels. 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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