Management/Leadership

Articles

Is It Okay to Ask Questions During Rehearsal?

Kelsey Menehan | Conducting, Management/Leadership, Operations, Performance, Rehearsal, Singing, Technique/Tool

Chorus America polled a number of choral directors and singers about the pros and cons of allowing questions in rehearsal. Their answers shed light on different teaching and learning styles and the collaborative process in general. Read more

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Learning Leadership

“More than just waving our hands”

Don Lee | Careers, Conducting, Governance, Management/Leadership, Professional, Strategic Planning, Technique/Tool

Many choral directors take on administrative responsibility with little formal preparation. Here are strategies to excel in the office and boardroom as well as the concert hall. Read more

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The Art of Strategic Alliances

Matthew Sigman | Composing/Commissioning, Governance, Innovation, Management/Leadership, Strategic Planning, Technique/Tool

When do partnerships add value and when do they distract from a chorus’s mission? Philadelphia’s venerable Mendelssohn Club explores the spectrum of collaboration, from artistic to administrative. Read more

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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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Member Spotlight: Erica Battle, Detroit Children’s Choir

Chorus America Staff | Children/Youth, Diversity, Education, General, Innovation, Management/Leadership, Operations, Schools

In Detroit, music and arts organizations are pooling their resources to buy management expertise. That's how Erica Battle, a certified public accountant, stepped into her position as executive director of the Detroit Children's Choir. Here she talks with Chorus America about the shared services model that has been successful in Detroit, her new role, and her recent experience at October's Chorus Management Institute. Read more

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10 Tips for Engaging Your Board

Don Lee | Fundraising, Governance, Management/Leadership, Operations

It's really the staff's job to position the board to do their best work―and most of that boils down to excellent communication and clarity of expectations. Read more

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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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Changing Your Chorus from Within

David Costanza | Diversity, Innovation, Management/Leadership, Participation, Recruitment, Singing

How chorus leaders can use the principles of organizational culture to implement change and get the best results for their organizations Read more

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When Only Some Singers Are Paid

Don Lee | Management/Leadership, Performance, Professional, Singing, Volunteer

The experience of several professional core choruses demonstrates there are ways to gracefully handle the inherent tension that arises when paid singers are brought on board in a mostly volunteer ensemble. Here are eight tips from managers, conductors, and volunteer singers who have been through this process. Read more

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Transitioning to a Professional Core Chorus

Don Lee | Management/Leadership, Performance, Professional, Singing, Volunteer

Adding paid professional singers to a volunteer chorus raises issues of fairness, finances, artistic prowess, and culture. We offer advice for managing the process from those who've been through it. Read more

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Resources

Chorus Operations Survey Report (2012)

Roland Kushner | Evaluation, Finance, Fundraising, Governance, Management/Leadership, Marketing/Public Relations, Operations, Research/Data, Technique/Tool

Chorus America's annual survey of the operations of choruses, the Chorus Operations Survey Report includes more than 40 different analyses, from number of board meetings to board giving, from ticket pricing to chorus dues amounts, from accompanist pay practices to marketing efficiency. The 2012 report features data from the 2010-2011 season. Read more

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Chorus Operations Survey Report (2011)

Roland Kushner | Evaluation, Finance, Fundraising, Governance, Management/Leadership, Marketing/Public Relations, Operations, Research/Data, Technique/Tool

Chorus America's annual survey of the operations of choruses, the Operations Survey Report includes more than 40 different analyses, from number of board meetings to board giving, from ticket pricing to chorus dues amounts, from accompanist pay practices to marketing efficiency. The 2011 report features data from the 2009-2010 season. Read more

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Music Director Search Audition Evaluation Form

A Sample from the Dessoff Choirs

Chorus America Staff | Careers, Conducting, Evaluation, Management/Leadership, Operations, Recruitment, Sample/Template

A rating form for singers to use when evaluating all potential conductors during a search. Read more

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Music Director Search Audition Evaluation Form

Template for Evaluating Finalists

Chorus America Staff | Careers, Conducting, Evaluation, Management/Leadership, Operations, Recruitment, Sample/Template

A rating form for singers to use when evaluating conductors who have been identified as finalists during a music director search. Read more

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Conflict of Interest Policy

Chorus America Staff | Governance, Legal/Licensing, Management/Leadership, Sample/Template

Use this policy template to ensure that your chorus is in compliance with tax requirements. Read more

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Choral Conductors Today: A Study

Chorus America Staff | Careers, Conducting, Management/Leadership, Recruitment, Research/Data

Chorus America interviewed more than 700 conductors about their career paths, levels of education, salary, job satisfaction, and more in 2005. The resulting data provides a profile of the "typical" choral conductor that may be surprising. Read more

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Board Member End-of-Term Questions

Chorus America Staff | Evaluation, Governance, Management/Leadership, Technique/Tool

Use this questionnaire at the end of each board member's term. Read more

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Board Chair/President Job Description

Chorus America Staff | Governance, Management/Leadership, Sample/Template

Use this template as a guide to develop a position description for your Board Chair or President. Read more

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Conference Keynote Speech: There Are No Crises

Russell Willis ... | Audiences, Finance, Fundraising, Governance, Innovation, Management/Leadership

A speech by Russell Willis Taylor of National Arts Strategies that addresses ways to turn times of organizational and environmental crisis into growth and creative thinking opportunities. Delivered at the 2010 Conference. Read more

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Events

Heritage Presents: 13th Annual Concert Sing On!

4101 Nebraska Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20016

Miriam Dixon | Adults/Seniors, Audiences, CA News, Children/Youth, Civic Engagement, Community Outreach, Composing/Commissioning, Conducting, Diversity, Education, Families, Fundraising, General, Impact/Value, Innovation, Management/Leadership, Marketing/Public Relations, Networking, Participation, Performance, Professional, Recruitment, Schools, Singing, Social Media, Symphonic, Venue, Volunteer

We Preserve the Past. We Inspire the Community. We Sing On. Join Heritage Signature Chorale for our annual concert which promises to stir your soul. Tickets may be purchased at www.heritagesignaturechorale.org or by phone (202) 808-0583. Read more

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Coro Allegro Celebrates 20 Years With Artistic Director David Hodgkins

Boston, MA

kipjld1964 | Careers, Conducting, History, Management/Leadership, Participation

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35th Annual Conference

Minneapolis, MN

Chorus America Staff | Composing/Commissioning, Education, Governance, Management/Leadership, Marketing/Public Relations, Networking, Operations, Strategic Planning, Technology

Chorus America's 35th Annual Conference is not to be missed! Featuring performances by nine of Minnesota's premier choruses, a massed youth choir, a morning sing with Garrison Keillor, and keynote speakers Marilyn Carlson Nelson and Melanie de More, among others, this Conference will inspire and educate. Read more