Can Everybody Sing?

Singer and Composer Melanie DeMore Says Yes!

Kelsey Menehan | Audiences, Community Outreach, Conducting, Diversity, Participation, Performance, Rehearsal, Singing, Technique/Tool

Singer and composer Melanie DeMore enjoys nothing more than gathering together a group of people and forming a spontaneous choir. “I think that singing in a community allows people to have a certain bigness that they cannot have in a solitary way,” she says. In this Chorus America interview, DeMore talks about the importance of spreading the gift of choral singing far and wide.  Read more

Member Spotlight: Jerry Rubino, Voices of Experience, Minneapolis

Kelsey Menehan | Adults/Seniors, Community Outreach, Conducting, Education, General, Health, Professional, Singing, Symphonic

After 23 years of many roles with the Dale Warland Singers, including associate conductor, Jerry Rubino is leading a new "artistically ambitious" choir of seniors called Voices of Experience. Chorus America talked to Rubino about what he calls his "ministry" of music—how he encourages singers to bring their full, expressive selves to singing. Read more

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

Conductor's Corner: When What You Say Is Not What You Get

Axel Theimer | Adults/Seniors, Conducting, Education, Performance, Rehearsal, Research/Data, Singing

Do you feel like the instructions you are giving your singers in rehearsal are not getting the desired result? Conductor Axel Theimer, the founder and artistic director of the Twin Cities-based Kantorei, has developed new approaches that align with research on how humans learn best. Consider his strategies for putting your singers at ease and tapping into their abilities. Read more

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

The Choral Warm-Ups of Robert Shaw

Pamela Elrod | Rehearsal, Singing, Technique/Tool

Believing that the chorus was a corporate entity with a spirit of kinship, famed conductor Robert Shaw used the warm-up period to focus on matters of tuning, tone color, ensemble blend, acoustical conditions, and development of the dynamic palette. We've compiled several of his warm-ups. Read more

The Feldenkrais Method for Singers—Vocalizing To Release Tension

Karen R Clark | Health, Singing, Technique/Tool

Through a self-discovery process using movement, the practice of Feldenkrais can help singers perform with minimum effort and maximum efficiency. In this video, Feldenkrais practitioner Karen Clark guides a singer to notice and then release tension while vocalizing. Read more

The Feldenkrais Method for Singers—Opening the Throat

Karen R Clark | Health, Singing, Technique/Tool

The practice of Feldenkrais can help singers perform with minimum effort and maximum efficiency. In this video, Feldenkrais practitioner Karen Clark demonstrates how opening the throat releases tension and allows for greater freedom in singing. Read more

Feel the Spirit: Spirituals from African-American and other traditions

2121 Harrison St Oakland, CA

Dale Engle | Performance, Singing

Performance of African-American Spirituals has become a cornerstone of PME’s identity. Reflecting the full range of spiritual music, this concert will be full of contemplation, stillness, and shouting for joy! Read more

Registration Open for Encore Creativity for Older Adults Summer Choral Institute

Historic St. Mary's City, MD

Jeanne Kelly | Adults/Seniors, Performance, Singing

Encore Creativity for Older Adults, the nations largest and fastest growing choral program for adults age 55+ has opened registration for their 6th Annual Summer Choral Institute at St. Mary's College of Maryland to be held June 18-22, 2013.  Read more

Spring Concert: Poetry! Words in Search of a Song

400 Field Avenue East, Venice, FL

Ruth F Packing | Singing

Sunday, April 14 at 3:30 p.m., Exsultate! Chorale presents “Poetry! Words in Search of a Song” in the Grace United Methodist Church sanctuary on Venice Island. Nationally renowned composer Dr. David Brunner will be present for the very first performance of two pieces he has added to his works of Wendell Berry poetry set to music. Exsultate! commissioned the pieces specially for this concert with grants from The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County, Gulf Coast Community Foundation, and the Woman’s Exchange, Inc. of Sarasota. Also included will be composer Randall Thompson’s musical rendition of select Robert Frost poems. Get the $17 tickets (or Students $5) at the door, Paper Pad in Venice, online, or by calling 484-8491. See www.exsultate.org for group rates and more. Read more

Voce Chamber Singers presents I LOVE YOU MUCH

2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston, Virginia

Joan Winter Skerritt | Adults/Seniors, Audiences, Awards, CA News, Families, General, Innovation, Performance, Repertoire, Singing, Volunteer

Don't miss this exciting concert featuring the world premiere performance of Voce’s newest commission: a stunning setting of the e.e. cummings poem, i love you much(most beautiful darling) by award-winning composer Matthew Harris, who will be in attendance. A reception and silent auction will follow. Read more