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

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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Defiant Requiem: Verdi at Terezín

Defiant Requiem: Verdi at Terezín

Thomas Sheets | History, Innovation, Performance, Profile, Repertoire, Singing

Performances of Verdi's Requiem by Jewish prisoners at the Terezín concentration camp inspire a present-day concert drama that explores the profround relationship between music and its performers. Read more

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Final Thoughts Before A Concert

Final Thoughts Before A Concert

An Interview with Craig Jessop

Chorus America Staff | Conducting, Rehearsal, Technique/Tool

Do you ever wonder what choral conductors think about after the last orchestra rehearsal before the big performance? Chorus America contributor Kelsey Menehan sat down with Craig Jessop at the Berkshire Choral Festival to find out. Read more

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Why People Who Hate Choral Music Love Carmina Burana

Why People Who Hate Choral Music Love Carmina Burana

Conductor Tom Hall on Why Its So Exciting

Chorus America Staff | Innovation, Repertoire, Singing, Symphonic

Since its premiere in 1937, Carl Orff's bawdy rollick through the fields and swamps of Love, Lust, and Booze has commanded the kind of following that rock bands dream of. Among the zipped up, stiffly starched giants of the choral repertoire, Carmina Burana is the bad girl who can't seem to keep her blouse buttoned. Read more

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Women in Choral Conducting: A Level Playing Field?

Women in Choral Conducting: A Level Playing Field?

Vivien Schweitzer | Careers, Children/Youth, Diversity, Governance

Men vastly outnumber women in orchestral conducting, but choruses tell a different story. What issues do women choral conductors face today? Read more

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When To Speak About Your Performance

When To Speak About Your Performance

Eric Booth | Audiences, Conducting, Performance

The goal of a concert is not to perform great music well, but to co-create personally relevant experiences together inside the music. Read more

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Marilyn Horne's Second Act

Marilyn Horne's Second Act

Kelsey Menehan | Community Outreach, Education, Profile

Marilyn Horne, one of America's most celebrated opera stars, decided to shine the spotlight on the next generation. Read more

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Choral Masterworks: Is Any One Version "The Best"?

Choral Masterworks: Is Any One Version "The Best"?

Chorus America Staff | Repertoire, Singing, Symphonic

Choral conductor Tom Hall pulls back the veil on several well-loved choral works in this interview. Read more

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Singing with an Aging Voice

Singing with an Aging Voice

How Choristers and Choruses Can Address the Challenges Together

Kelsey Menehan | Adults/Seniors, Evaluation, Singing, Technique/Tool

As singers age, what used to be easy becomes harder—sustaining the high notes, singing through a phrase on one breath, doing a smooth crescendo and decrescendo. Here's a look at several strategies for overcoming the challenges of an aging voice. Read more

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Richard Westenburg: An Appreciation

Richard Westenburg: An Appreciation

Tom Hall | Conducting, Profile

Richard Westenburg, the founder of New York's famed chorus and orchestra, Musica Sacra, died of colon cancer on February 20, 2008. Westenburg had been an important fixture on the New York scene for more than 40 years. 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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Choral-Orchestral Engagements: Common Practices

Choral-Orchestral Engagements: Common Practices

Chorus America Staff | Management/Leadership, Operations, Performance, Rehearsal

This practical resources for choruses provides guidance on collaborating successfully with orchestras, based on conversations with more than 30 artistic administrators. Originally published in 2004, the report was reviewed and republished in 2013. 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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Events

Song of Norway

Song of Norway

New York City

emilymt | Performance

96 800x600 Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} The Collegiate Chorale announces Song of Norway by Robert Wright and George Forrest on April 30, 2013 Read more

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Breath of Spring

Breath of Spring

1010 N. Nevada Ave., Colorado Springs, CO, 80903

Jackie Foorman | Performance

  Please join Maestro Donald P. Jenkins in his final performance at Shove Chapel, preceding his retirement in 2014.   March 23, 8:00 pm.  Shove Chapel, Colorado College 1010 N. Nevada Ave., Colorado Springs 80903       A seasonal celebration of Wonder, Love, Joy, and Hope -Handel, Mozart, J.S. Bach, Ives, and Vaughan Williams -The Colorado Springs Chorale with the Springs Camerata Read more

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SA Choral Society presents POPS - On the Red Carpet: Hollywood Movie Classics

SA Choral Society presents POPS - On the Red Carpet: Hollywood Movie Classics

6070 Babcock, San Antonio, TX 78240

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

Season Pops Concert featuring “On the Red Carpet: Hollywood Movie Classics”. Come join us for an entertaining afternoon!  Read more

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Divine Light

Divine Light

Staten Island, NY

Richmond Choral... | General

On Saturday, May 18 at 8 p.m. the Richmond Choral Society will present their spring concert entitled Divine Light at St. Clare’s RC Church in the Great Kills section of Staten Island, under the leadership of Marina Alexander, Music Director. Read more

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The Children's March

The Children's March

1904 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA

Lauren Anderson | Performance

With Singing City and The SC Children's Choir Charlotte Blake Alston, narrator Read more

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Amens and Alleluias

Amens and Alleluias

367 State Road 344, Edgewood, New Mexico 87015

PatriciaAFairchild | Performance

Soli Musica presents "Amens and Alleluias" Read more

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Pacific Boychoir March Open Rehearsal

Pacific Boychoir March Open Rehearsal

Oakland, CA

Pacific Boychoi... | Children/Youth

Observing a choir at work can be very illuminating. PBA offers YOU the chance to attend an open rehearsal for FREE each month throughout the year in their theatre. This March, see Pacific Boychoir prepare for their upcoming performances of Bach's Magnificat and Rachmaninoff's Vespers. This is a PBA Open Rehearsal, and the pieces rehearsed are at the Artisitic Director's discretion. Please RSVP through Eventbrite at: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/5594429088 Read more

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Pacific Boychoir Performs Rachmaninoff’s Vespers at Grace Cathedral

Pacific Boychoir Performs Rachmaninoff’s Vespers at Grace Cathedral

San Francisco, CA

Pacific Boychoi... | Children/Youth

Every three years, the Grammy-winning Pacific Boychoir presents Rachmaninoff's epic All-Night Vigil, or "Vespers". First premiered by a boys choir in Moscow in 1915, the Pacific Boychoir became the first choir to reproduce the original performing forces in 2007, when the San Francisco Classical Voice said “The sheer sonic experience was chilling.” Along with Wesley Rogers as tenor soloist, the Bay Area’s finest choral tenors and basses augment the choir, which will number 90+ male voices to present Rachmaninoff ’s masterpiece. Also on the program is Arvo Pärt's The Beatitudes, with guest organists Ben Bachmann (May 24), and Rudy de Vos (May 25). Read more

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Pacific Boychoir Performs Rachmaninoff’s Vespers at Cathedral of Christ the Light

Pacific Boychoir Performs Rachmaninoff’s Vespers at Cathedral of Christ the Light

Oakland, CA

Pacific Boychoi... | Children/Youth

Every three years, the Grammy-winning Pacific Boychoir presents Rachmaninoff's epic All-Night Vigil, or "Vespers". First premiered by a boys choir in Moscow in 1915, the Pacific Boychoir became the first choir to reproduce the original performing forces in 2007, when the San Francisco Classical Voice said “The sheer sonic experience was chilling.” Along with Wesley Rogers as tenor soloist, the Bay Area’s finest choral tenors and basses augment the choir, which will number 90+ male voices to present Rachmaninoff ’s masterpiece. Also on the program is Arvo Pärt's The Beatitudes, with guest organists Ben Bachmann (May 24), and Rudy de Vos (May 25). Read more

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Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage: Beethoven; A Sea Symphony: Vaughan Williams

Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage: Beethoven; A Sea Symphony: Vaughan Williams

57th Street and 7th Avenue

New York Choral... |

Experience the power and majesty of the sea through the music of Ludwig van Beethoven and Ralph Vaughan Williams. Each turned to a great poet, Goethe and Whitman, respectively, to depict the sea as a symbol of the unity of the world’s peoples and ocean travel as a metaphor for mankind’s journey of self-discovery. Award-winning stage and screen star Kathleen Turner will introduce Ralph Vaughan Williams’s A Sea Symphony. 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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Conference 2013 Ad
Please visit the 2013 Conference Website for information.
King FM Choral Music Channel

Enjoy Seattle’s First Online Choral Music Channel

In celebration of Chorus America’s Annual Conference coming to the Pacific Northwest, Classical KING FM has launched Seattle’s first all-choral music channel online at www.king.org. Listen 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for music from top choral groups, including winners of Chorus America’s Margaret Hillis Award for Choral Excellence.

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