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

Best Little-Known Choral Recordings

Best Little-Known Choral Recordings

Helene Whitson | Repertoire, Singing

Choral music sleuth Helene Whitson has sifted through used CD bins and trolled the Internet to bring you some of the hidden gems of the choral repertoire. Read more

  • Views (545)
  • Favorites (0)
  • Comments (0)
Eric Whitacre Speaks Out

Eric Whitacre Speaks Out

An Interview With Choral Music's Rock Star

Kelsey Menehan | Composing/Commissioning, Education, Impact/Value, Innovation, Profile, Social Media

Eric Whitacre muses on how he gets inspired to compose, his special connection with young people, and what he thinks about the future of choral music. Read more

  • Views (451)
  • Favorites (0)
  • Comments (0)
What Is "Shape-Note" Singing?

What Is "Shape-Note" Singing?

Elisabeth Higgi... | History, Repertoire, Singing, Technique/Tool

In this musical tradition, singers read a variety of different note shapes—each one corresponding to a different syllable: fa, so, la, or mi. Read more

  • Views (487)
  • Favorites (0)
  • Comments (2)
Inside Conspirare: A Different Kind of Chorus

Inside Conspirare: A Different Kind of Chorus

Kelsey Menehan | Composing/Commissioning, Innovation, Performance, Repertoire

Choruses have a real chance to be innovators and maybe help lead the way for all the arts. Read more

  • Views (431)
  • Favorites (0)
  • Comments (0)
A Performance of a Lifetime

A Performance of a Lifetime

Children's Choruses Sing at Barack Obama's Inauguration

Jan-Marie Petersen | Children/Youth, History, Profile

Children's choruses from San Francisco sang for millions at the inauguration ceremony of President Barack Obama. Here's what happened on that historic day. Read more

  • Views (455)
  • Favorites (0)
  • Comments (0)
A Conversation with Craig Hella Johnson

A Conversation with Craig Hella Johnson

Chorus America Staff | Conducting, Innovation, Performance, Repertoire

We sat down with Conspirare founder and artistic director Craig Hella Johnson to get the inside scoop on how the group came to be and the magic behind their success. Read more

  • Views (519)
  • Favorites (0)
  • Comments (0)
Ligeti in Winter

Ligeti in Winter

Gregory Boals | Audiences, Impact/Value, Rehearsal, Repertoire, Singing, Symphonic

Much in the same way you might stop and get to know your neighbors during a snowstorm, a difficult piece can draw singers together in solidarity amdist the flurry of notes. Read more

  • Views (365)
  • Favorites (0)
  • Comments (0)
Conquering the B Minor Mass

Conquering the B Minor Mass

Chorus America Staff | Composing/Commissioning, History, Rehearsal, Repertoire, Technique/Tool

The Bach B Minor Mass takes Olympian fortitude to learn and perform. In this interview with conductor and historian Dennis Shrock, we take a look at the history of the work and what singers can do to make the performance experience easier on themselves. Read more

  • Views (459)
  • Favorites (0)
  • Comments (0)
Where You Lead, They Will Follow

Where You Lead, They Will Follow

An Interview with Sir David Willcocks

Chorus America Staff | Composing/Commissioning, Conducting, History, Profile, Rehearsal

Famed conductor Sir David Willcocks speaks about his special love of choral singing and of choral singers through his experience as director of music at King's College, Cambridge and of the Royal College of Music's Bach Choir. Read more

  • Views (375)
  • Favorites (0)
  • Comments (0)
He Changed Choral Music in Canada

He Changed Choral Music in Canada

Chronicling Elmer Iseler's Impact

Walter Pitman | Conducting, History, Profile

Ten years after his death, a new book about conductor Elmer Iseler examines his legacy on choral music not just in Canada but throughout the choral music field. Read more

  • Views (422)
  • Favorites (0)
  • Comments (0)

Resources

'Music Director Transition' Tool: Orientation Materials Checklist

'Music Director Transition' Tool: Orientation Materials Checklist

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

A checklist of documents and organizational background to prepare for the incoming music director. Read more

  • Views (673)
  • Favorites (0)
  • Comments (0)
'Music Director Transition' Tool: Developing a Communications Plan

'Music Director Transition' Tool: Developing a Communications Plan

Chorus America Staff | Careers, Conducting, Governance, Marketing/Public Relations, Sample/Template, Strategic Planning, Technique/Tool

A worksheet to help choruses communicate to all constituents in the event of an artistic founder transition. Read more

  • Views (550)
  • Favorites (0)
  • Comments (0)
'Music Director Transition' Tool: Determining Your Organizational Direction

'Music Director Transition' Tool: Determining Your Organizational Direction

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

Thirteen questions to help determine the future of the chorus when an artistic founder transition is imminent. Read more

  • Views (528)
  • Favorites (0)
  • Comments (0)
'Music Director Transition' Tool: Building Your Search Budget

'Music Director Transition' Tool: Building Your Search Budget

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

Searching for new artistic leadership requires its own budget. This list of income and expense considerations will help. Read more

  • Views (512)
  • Favorites (0)
  • Comments (0)
'Music Director Transition' Tool: Annual Employee Performance Evaluation Guidelines

'Music Director Transition' Tool: Annual Employee Performance Evaluation Guidelines

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

Ten helpful guidelines to help establish a healthy annual performance review process for the music director of your chorus. Read more

  • Views (726)
  • Favorites (0)
  • Comments (0)
'Music Director Transition' Tool: Action Plan Matrix

'Music Director Transition' Tool: Action Plan Matrix

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

A worksheet to help choruses plan for founding artistic leadership transitions. Read more

  • Views (530)
  • Favorites (0)
  • Comments (0)
'Music Director Transition' Tool: 4 Tips for Building Your Board

'Music Director Transition' Tool: 4 Tips for Building Your Board

Chorus America Staff | Careers, Conducting, Governance, Recruitment, Strategic Planning

A founder transition requires strong leadership from the board. Is your board ready? Read more

  • Views (525)
  • Favorites (0)
  • Comments (0)
'Music Director Transition' Tool: 3 Key Transition Questions

'Music Director Transition' Tool: 3 Key Transition Questions

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

Questions to answer as you begin a founding music director transition. Read more

  • Views (482)
  • Favorites (0)
  • Comments (0)
The Choral Music of Ruth Watson Henderson

The Choral Music of Ruth Watson Henderson

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

Research Memorandum Series No. 198 Read more

  • Views (560)
  • Favorites (0)
  • Comments (0)

Events

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

  • Views (98)
  • Favorites (0)
  • Comments (0)
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

  • Views (27)
  • Favorites (0)
  • Comments (0)
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

  • Views (21)
  • Favorites (0)
  • Comments (0)
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

  • Views (37)
  • Favorites (0)
  • Comments (0)
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

  • Views (28)
  • Favorites (0)
  • Comments (0)
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

  • Views (41)
  • Favorites (0)
  • Comments (0)
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

  • Views (39)
  • Favorites (0)
  • Comments (0)
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

  • Views (34)
  • Favorites (0)
  • Comments (0)
SA Choral Society presents Beyond the Horizon: Music of the 20th and 21st Century

SA Choral Society presents Beyond the Horizon: Music of the 20th and 21st Century

230 E. Travis Street, San Antonio, TX 78205

Gustavo Rios Jr | Adults/Seniors, Children/Youth, Civic Engagement, Community Outreach, Conducting, Diversity, Education, Families, Fundraising, Participation, Performance, Singing, Volunteer

  Season finalé featuring music of the 20th and 21st century.   Read more

  • Views (49)
  • Favorites (0)
  • Comments (0)
Cordus Mundi & Friends - June 9, 2013

Cordus Mundi & Friends - June 9, 2013

Solebury, PA

Rick Rosen | Performance

Bucks County, PA-based male acappella group Cordus Mundi presents Cordus & Friends, a collaborative concert. Read more

  • Views (27)
  • 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 (690)
  • Favorites (0)
  • Comments (0)