Technique/Tool

Articles

Music Theory Crash Course: Scales

Chorus America Staff | Education, Technique/Tool

You can admit it: You have often thought about the many traits that reptiles and musicians share, haven't you? So then you know that, besides exceptional dexterity and slightly odd-looking faces, reptiles and musicians both need scales. Read more

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Music Theory Crash Course: Key Signatures

Chorus America Staff | Education, Technique/Tool

Every once in a while, an invention comes along that changes the game. Like the invention of the light bulb, the washing machine, the Internet, and the garlic press, the development of the key signature was positively monumental—to musicians, at least. Read more

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Music Theory Crash Course: Intervals

Chorus America Staff | Education, Technique/Tool

All you need to know is various combinations of half-steps and whole-steps. Read more

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Music Theory Crash Course: Chords

Chorus America Staff | Education, Technique/Tool

An understanding of chords can also help you to understand the workings of melody. Read more

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Music Theory Crash Course

Chorus America Staff | Education, Technique/Tool

For those who never learned, didn’t understand, slept through class, or simply forgot. Read more

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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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Get Your Story Straight

A Brand Audit Can Help

Todd Estabrook | Audiences, Marketing/Public Relations, Technique/Tool

It's important for a chorus to convey messages through marketing communications that are consistent with the brand conveyed through its musicmaking. A periodic brand audit—conducted either by a consultant or done yourselves following the simple steps below—will help bring you into alignment. Read more

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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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The Choral Meditator

Lisa Houston | Health, Innovation, Rehearsal, Singing, Technique/Tool

Can meditation make you a better singer? Yes, and that's not all. Meditation can improve relaxation, concentration, and even health. Read more

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Improve Your Sightreading in Three Easy Steps

Amanda White | Rehearsal, Singing, Technique/Tool

Amanda White, a coloratura soprano living and working in New York City, offered these tips in Classical Singer, a magazine for singers pursuing professional solo careers. We thought they made great sense for choral singers, too. Read more

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Resources

Italian Latin: Learn to Pronounce the Words "Gloria" and "Mirum"

Donald McCullough | Singing, Technique/Tool

Conductor Donald McCullough guides us through the treacherous minefield of choral text pronunciation in Italian Latin with this multi-part series. Episode Six: Pronounce "Gloria" and "Mirum" Read more

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Italian Latin: Learn to Pronounce the Word "In"

Donald McCullough | Singing, Technique/Tool

Conductor Donald McCullough guides us through the treacherous minefield of choral text pronunciation in Italian Latin with this multi-part series. Episode Ten: The Word "In" Read more

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Italian Latin: Learn to Pronounce the Word "Excelsis"

Donald McCullough | Singing, Technique/Tool

Conductor Donald McCullough guides us through the treacherous minefield of choral text pronunciation in Italian Latin with this multi-part series. Episode Eleven: The Word "Excelsis" Read more

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Italian Latin: Learn to Pronounce the "S" Consonant

Donald McCullough | Singing, Technique/Tool

Conductor Donald McCullough guides us through the treacherous minefield of choral text pronunciation in Italian Latin with this multi-part series. Episode Nine: The "S" Consonant Read more

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Italian Latin: Learn to Pronounce the "R" Consonant

Donald McCullough | Singing, Technique/Tool

Conductor Donald McCullough guides us through the treacherous minefield of choral text pronunciation in Italian Latin with this multi-part series. Episode Five: The Evil "R" Read more

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Italian Latin: Learn to Pronounce the "Oh" Vowel

Donald McCullough | Singing, Technique/Tool

Conductor Donald McCullough guides us through the treacherous minefield of choral text pronunciation in Italian Latin with this multi-part series. Episode Three: The "Oh" Vowel Read more

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Italian Latin: Learn to Pronounce the "Eh" Vowel

Donald McCullough | Singing, Technique/Tool

Conductor Donald McCullough guides us through the treacherous minefield of choral text pronunciation in Italian Latin with this multi-part series. Episode Two: The "Eh" Vowel Read more

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Italian Latin: Learn to Pronounce the "Au" Diphthong

Donald McCullough | Singing, Technique/Tool

Conductor Donald McCullough guides us through the treacherous minefield of choral text pronunciation in Italian Latin with this multi-part series. Episode Four: The "Au" Diphthong Read more

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Going for Baroque

Jason Paulk | History, Performance, Rehearsal, Repertoire, Singing, Technique/Tool

Sure they wore different fashions back then, but did they sing differently too? Check out these tips and warm-ups that will help you to sing difficult baroque pieces like the B Minor Mass with more ease and authenticity. Read more

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Exercises for Singing In Tune

Tony Thornton | Rehearsal, Singing, Technique/Tool

Is your intonation sagging? Try these uplifting vocalises. Read more

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Events

Choral Conducting Master Class with Dr. Jan Harrington

Princeton, NJ

The Princeton F... | Adults/Seniors, Conducting, Education, General, Performance, Rehearsal, Technique/Tool

This 5-day professional choral conducting master class will offer practical rehearsal strategies, choral warm-up ideas, and sessions on performance issues, score study and preparation, creating compelling performances, and readings of new and recently published choral literature for choirs of all levels. Read more

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Voices of Light: The Passion of Joan of Arc

Southborough, MA

Robert Eaton | Adults/Seniors, Audiences, Education, General, History, Impact/Value, Innovation, Performance, Singing, Technique/Tool, Technology

Voices of Light merges the legendary silent film masterpiece The Passion of Joan of Arc, widely considered to be one of the greatest films ever made, with a live performance of a ravishing score by award-winning composer Richard Einhorn. An incredibly moving composition for solo voices, chorus and orchestra, Voices of Light has been hailed as "a triumph" (Los Angeles Times) and "an overwhelming experience" (Chicago Tribune). Read more

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The Complete Conductor: Orchestral Conducting for the Choral Director

New York City

Jeffery Thyer | Conducting, Education, General, Networking, Performance, Professional, Rehearsal, Repertoire, Technique/Tool

The Complete Conductor: Orchestral Conducting for the Choral Director is an intensive program for choral directors to gain more experience in working with an orchestra. Read more

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Feldenkrais Workshops for Performing Artists - Montréal

Montréal

Cory Davis | Conducting, Health, Performance, Singing, Technique/Tool

Join Feldenkrais practitioners Julian Wachner (conductor/composer) and Maud Tizon (dancer/choreographer) for a day-long, intensive master class designed especially for musicians, actors, dancers and other performers. Read more