Singing

Articles

When It's More than Just Singing

Choristers Share Their Most Memorable Experiences

Chorus America Staff | Impact/Value, Singing

We asked choral singers all over the continent to tell about their "mountaintop" experience as a choral singer. The responses were heartwarming, tear-jerking, hysterical, awe-inspiring, and... a great reminder of why we sing. Read more

Views (946)
Favorites (1)
Comments (0)

Breaking Up with Your Choir

Cory Davis | Participation, Singing, Volunteer

Like a romantic relationship, joining a choir is a commitment that requires give and take—and lots of time. Lately, however, you feel like your choir participation has been more of a time consuming chore, rather than something you signed up to do for fun. How do you know when enough's enough? Read more

Views (452)
Favorites (0)
Comments (0)

From the Wreckage, A Song

Jan-Marie Petersen | Impact/Value, Singing

One choral community suffers from the loss of one of its own in the January 2010 Haiti earthquake. Read more

Views (304)
Favorites (0)
Comments (0)

Mind Over Meter

Michael Shaughnessy | Adults/Seniors, Composing/Commissioning, Repertoire, Singing

So you thought you could count...that is, until you met the 7/8 and 5/4 time signatures. Honestly, why are those meters so troublesome? Read more

Views (410)
Favorites (0)
Comments (0)

L.A. Rising

Michael Shaughnessy | Profile, Singing, Symphonic

The "left coast" is fast becoming a center for creativity in the choral arts. Read more

Views (398)
Favorites (0)
Comments (0)

Music and the Mind

Michael Shaughnessy | Adults/Seniors, Health, Profile, Science, Singing

Unraveling the mystery of music's profound impact on the human brain. Read more

Views (865)
Favorites (1)
Comments (0)

Commercial's Soundtrack Uses Only Human Voices

Michael Shaughnessy | Innovation, Singing

This car commercial features a soundtrack that seems to include many different instruments, but actually there's just one—the voice. Read more

Views (410)
Favorites (0)
Comments (0)

Tell Me A Story: The Personal Impact of Singing

Ann Meier Baker | Children/Youth, Education, Impact/Value, Research/Data, Singing

Personal stories can be a vital way to communicate the value of your chorus. Read more

Views (765)
Favorites (0)
Comments (0)

Why I Love Singers

Alice Parker | Impact/Value, Professional, Profile, Rehearsal, Singing

Renowned choral composer and conductor Alice Parker shares with us her observations about singers and tells us why we are a special bunch. Read more

Views (470)
Favorites (0)
Comments (0)

"Blend, You Rascals!"

A Choral Cliché Explained

Kelsey Menehan | Conducting, Education, Participation, Rehearsal, Singing

The late Robert Shaw used to give this directive—right before explaining what a ridiculous request it was. Even so, choral directors continue to say it, and singers continue to wonder, Is it me? What should I do? Read more

Views (607)
Favorites (0)
Comments (2)

Resources

Singer Information Form

Chorus America Staff | Operations, Recruitment, Sample/Template, Singing

Use this template as a guide for collecting useful information about new and returning singers during auditions. Read more

Views (917)
Favorites (0)
Comments (0)

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

Views (884)
Favorites (0)
Comments (0)

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

Views (1,030)
Favorites (0)
Comments (0)

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

Views (719)
Favorites (0)
Comments (0)

Access and Accommodation Resources

Chorus America Staff | Diversity, Legal/Licensing, Operations, Singing, Technique/Tool

A list of resources to help choruses provide reasonable accommodation in accordance with ADA regulations. Read more

Views (406)
Favorites (0)
Comments (0)

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

Views (719)
Favorites (0)
Comments (0)

Sing Along with Melanie DeMore

Melanie DeMore | Singing, Technique/Tool

Warm up your voice with Melanie DeMore during this "Morning Sing" at Chorus America's 2011 Conference in San Francisco. Her exuberant energy and innovative technique for teaching the songs are at the core of these refreshing and uplifting clips. Read more

Views (481)
Favorites (0)
Comments (0)

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

Views (647)
Favorites (0)
Comments (1)

Yoga for Singers: Why Yoga?

Justin Montigne | Health, Singing, Technique/Tool

Instructor Justin Montigne explains how the practice of yoga or proprioceptive awareness can benefit singers. Read more

Views (754)
Favorites (0)
Comments (0)

Yoga for Singers: Twists

Justin Montigne | Health, Singing, Technique/Tool

Long seated rehearsal? Alleviate tiredness in the lower back with this simple twist. Read more

Views (822)
Favorites (0)
Comments (0)

Events

Helena Choral Week (9th!)

Helena, Montana

Musikanten | Singing

Morning lessons and classes, lunchtime mini recitals, evening chorus rehearsals, final concert Saturday evening, Sunday morning liturgy at St. Peter's. Guest Artists Evanne Browne (soprano), Jay White (countertenor). Thomas Gregg (tenor), Bobb Robinson (baritone), Robert Tudor (baritone). Jean Browne (piano). See www.musikantenmt.org for more info. Read more

Views (49)
Favorites (0)
Comments (0)

Santos: World premiere oratorio

3321 Sixteenth Street, San Francisco, CA

sf girls chorus | Children/Youth, Composing/Commissioning, Performance, Singing

World Premiere oratorio by Gabriela Lena Frank and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Nilo Cruz Read more

Views (56)
Favorites (0)
Comments (0)

NEW MUSIC FOR NEW YORK

450 West 37th Street, between 9th and 10th Avenues New York NY

Manhattan Chora... | Adults/Seniors, General, Singing

The Manhattan Choral Ensemble will premiere three newly-commissioned works about New York City, followed by favorite folksongs, partsongs and madrigals. At intermission the audience will select its favorite piece, to receive the grand prize and an encore performance. Read more

Views (55)
Favorites (0)
Comments (0)

The Great American Sing

4310 County Road 137, St. Cloud, MN 56301

Great River Chorale | Adults/Seniors, Audiences, Children/Youth, Community Outreach, Education, Families, General, Marketing/Public Relations, Participation, Performance, Repertoire, Schools, Singing

Music by the people and for the people! Read more

Views (77)
Favorites (0)
Comments (0)

Spring Hymn Sing

1000 Elm Street, Glenview, IL 60025

Sheryl1017 | Adults/Seniors, Audiences, General, Participation, Performance, Singing

Come and sing praises at a Hymn Festival led by acclaimed organist and improviser Bruce Neswick. Read more

Views (104)
Favorites (0)
Comments (0)

The A Cappella American Songbook

171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville, IL 60540

Matt Greenberg | Adults/Seniors, Audiences, Children/Youth, Families, General, Performance, Singing

CHICAGO A CAPPELLA PRESENTS THE TIMELESS MUSICAL TREASURES OF AMERICAN POPULAR SONG Read more

Views (87)
Favorites (0)
Comments (0)

The A Cappella American Songbook

460 Lake St., Oak Park, IL

Matt Greenberg | Adults/Seniors, Audiences, Children/Youth, Families, General, Performance, Singing

CHICAGO A CAPPELLA PRESENTS THE TIMELESS MUSICAL TREASURES OF AMERICAN POPULAR SONG Read more

Views (83)
Favorites (0)
Comments (0)

The A Cappella American Songbook

1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston, IL

Matt Greenberg | Adults/Seniors, Audiences, Children/Youth, Families, General, Performance, Singing

CHICAGO A CAPPELLA PRESENTS THE TIMELESS MUSICAL TREASURES OF AMERICAN POPULAR SONG Read more

Views (76)
Favorites (0)
Comments (0)

The A Cappella American Songbook

915 E 60th St., Chicago, 60637

Matt Greenberg | Adults/Seniors, Children/Youth, Families, General, Performance, Singing

CHICAGO A CAPPELLA PRESENTS THE TIMELESS MUSICAL TREASURES OF AMERICAN POPULAR SONG Read more

Views (70)
Favorites (0)
Comments (0)

CHORAL CHAMELEON SUMMER INSTITUTE for Composers & Conductors

New York City

JefferyThyer | Adults/Seniors, Composing/Commissioning, Conducting, Education, Innovation, Networking, Participation, Performance, Professional, Rehearsal, Repertoire, Singing

The Choral Chameleon Institute is an eight-day intensive workshop in New York City, designed to immerse emerging composers and conductors of choral music in the intricacies of the choral idiom in a nurturing environment surrounded by respected professionals. It gives students an opportunity to explore and experiment with writing and conducting techniques in a "best-case scenario". During the course of the institute, many new pieces of choral music are cultivated and ultimately publicly performed, with live recording of the concert. Standards of the choral repertoire serve as a springboard for young conductors to work on challenging matters of gesture, musicianship, and rehearsal technique. Generous lab and podium time is given to all participants to ensure maximum practical and hands-on experience. The Choral Chameleon Institute also places heavy emphasis on ear training and analysis as means of deep, joyful discovery and informed, innovative interpretation. Read more