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

Singer Handbook Table of Contents

Chorus America Staff | Operations, Performance, Rehearsal, Sample/Template, Singing

Most choruses provide singers with a handbook for participation; use this sample table of contents to make sure you haven't forgotten any policies. Read more

Additional content: Ambassadors of Peace

Kelsey Menehan | Community Outreach, Impact/Value, Profile, Repertoire, Singing

Examples of concert programming that are designed on themes of peace or reconciliation. Partner piece to "How Choruses Have Become Ambassadors of Peace." Read more

Daily Warm-Ups to Prepare for the New Choral Season

Kathy Fitzgibbon | Singing, Technique/Tool

You wouldn't run a marathon on your first day back from a jogging hiatus. The same concept applies to singing. Head of faculty at Berkshire Choral Festival and director of choral activities at Lewis and Clark College, Kathy Fitzgibbon, offers her advice for coming back to singing after a summer off. Read more

Yoga for Singers: Introduction

Justin Montigne | Health, Singing, Technique/Tool

The ancient practice of yoga can help you establish good singing posture, become aware of your body, and use your breath effectively. 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