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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Resources

The Choral Music of Healey Willan: Part II

The Choral Music of Healey Willan: Part II

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

Research Memorandum Series No. 188 Read more

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The Choral Music of Healey Willan: Part I

The Choral Music of Healey Willan: Part I

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

Research Memorandum Series No. 187 Read more

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The Choral Music of R. Murray Schafer

The Choral Music of R. Murray Schafer

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

Research Memorandum Series No. 184 Read more

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Events

The Collegiate Chorale presents: Symphony No. 7 “Toltec” and Oceana

The Collegiate Chorale presents: Symphony No. 7 “Toltec” and Oceana

New York City

emilymt | Adults/Seniors, Audiences, Performance

The Collegiate Chorale announces the New York Premieres of two works by major composers: Symphony No. 7 “Toltec” by Philip Glass and Oceana by Osvaldo Golijov, featuring international jazz vocalist Biella Da Costa and the American Symphony Orchestra. Read more

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Harpsichord & Vocal Recital and Wine & Cheese Reception

Harpsichord & Vocal Recital and Wine & Cheese Reception

San Francisco, CA

Tricia Bell | Performance

Benefit for the San Francisco Bach Choir Read more

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SA Choral Society presents The Choral Works of Brahms

SA Choral Society presents The Choral Works of Brahms

205 James St., Boerne, TX 78006 & 227 W. Woodlawn Ave., San Antonio, TX 78212

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

This season we are proud to be a part of the 2013 Brahms Festival, sponsored by the San Antonio Symphony. Read more

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Music of the Soul

Music of the Soul

Westborough

Robert Eaton | Adults/Seniors, Audiences, Children/Youth, Families, General, Performance, Schools, Singing

The Peaceable Kingdom- Randall Thompson With Algonquin Regional High School Chamber Singers- Kathrine Waters, Director Five Hebrew Love Songs- Eric Whitacre Dark Night of the Soul- Ola Gjeilo The intensity and starkness of The Peaceable Kingdom provides sharp contrast with the tenderness and intensely moving Five Hebrew Love Songs. Gjeilo merges voices, piano, and violin into symphonic waves of lush sonorities which plunge the listener deep into their soul and leaves one awe struck with wonder. Read more

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Voices of Light: The Passion of Joan of Arc

Voices of Light: The Passion of Joan of Arc

Southborough, MA

Robert Eaton | Adults/Seniors, Audiences, Education, General, History, Impact/Value, Innovation, Performance, Singing, Technique/Tool, Technology

Voices of Light merges the legendary silent film masterpiece The Passion of Joan of Arc, widely considered to be one of the greatest films ever made, with a live performance of a ravishing score by award-winning composer Richard Einhorn. An incredibly moving composition for solo voices, chorus and orchestra, Voices of Light has been hailed as "a triumph" (Los Angeles Times) and "an overwhelming experience" (Chicago Tribune). Read more

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"BROADWAY AT THE 92Y" Chorus concert  February 10, 2013

"BROADWAY AT THE 92Y" Chorus concert February 10, 2013

1395 Lexington Avenue, New York NY

Broadway at 92Y... | Performance

The concert will include songs from KISS ME KATE, DESERT SONG, THE FULL MONTY, GUYS AND DOLLS, SHE LOVES ME, and a special tribute to Marvin Hamlisch. Read more

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J.S. Bach's St. Matthew Passion at the Kauffman Center in Kansas City

J.S. Bach's St. Matthew Passion at the Kauffman Center in Kansas City

Kansas City, MO

Spire Chamber E... | Professional

J.S. Bach's St. Matthew Passion Spire Chamber Ensemble Sunday, March 24, 7:00 pm Period Performance featuring the Spire Baroque Orchestra and Soloists from the Choir Read more

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Sing For Their Supper Concert

Sing For Their Supper Concert

1000 Elm Street, Glenview, IL 60025

Sheryl1017 | Adults/Seniors, Audiences, Community Outreach, Conducting, Families, Fundraising, General, Participation, Performance, Singing

A mid-winter concert to shake off the chill!  To benefit the Northfield Township Food Pantry.  Come enjoy solo voices performing music from the Sally Clonts Memorial Music Library, Bill Dawson playing bassoon, a vocal octet, two selections by the Chancel Choir, directed by Stephen Blackwelder - even a Sing Along Sound of Music! Read more

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BACHday Bash 2013

BACHday Bash 2013

Pittsburgh, PA

BriGuySinger | Adults/Seniors, Audiences, Civic Engagement, Diversity, Fundraising, General, History, Impact/Value, Venue

We hope you can join us as the Bach Choir celebrates its 78th season with scrumptious food & superb libations, an exciting silent auction, and a grand new venue - the historically restored Mansions on Fifth Hotel. All proceeds will benefit the Choir as it continues to present unique and dramatic choral productions. Read more

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Spirit / Breath / Voice

Spirit / Breath / Voice

171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville, IL 60540

Matt Greenberg |

  Please join the nine singers of Chicago a cappella for Spirit/Breath/Voice, an inspiring program celebrating generosity, compassion, peace, and joy.The acclaimed vocal ensemble’s new concert includes a joyous Renaissance mass, uplifting Shaker tunes, and the Midwest premiere of Gwyneth Walker’s Songs of Ecstasy.This concert will be musically directed by William Chin, the accomplished assistant director of the Chicago Symphony Chorus. Don’t miss this deeply moving and blissful musical experience! 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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