Starting on the Right Note: Back-to-School Tips for Choral Directors
Tanner Oglesby, SSAA Choirs R&R Chair Starting on the Right Note: Back-to-School Tips for Choral Directors Though I typically mourn the close of summer vacation, I must say that the beginning of the year is the most exciting for me. Exploring new ideas, building program culture, establishing ensemble identity, and cultivating relationships all make the […]
Worshipping Through the Arts
Bryan Taylor, Music & Worship R&R Chair Worshipping Through the Arts In 1999, I felt an overwhelming urge to pursue church music full-time, a calling I heard in my youth. I was in the midst of a rewarding 15-year high school choral music position and already working at a church music position part-time when this dream came […]
First Impressions in Choir: Building Skill, Culture, and Community
Nathan Wubenna, Children & Community Youth R&R Chair First Impressions in Choir: Building Skill, Culture, and Community We all understand the importance of first impressions—whether it’s opening music at a concert, an audition, or a job interview. The same principle applies at the start of a school year or choir season. The decisions we make […]
Appropriation
Eduardo Garcia-Novelli, World Music & Cultures R&R Chair If we think about the British Museum displaying a vase from ancient Babylon, the concept of “cultural appropriation” is clear: They likely picked up the vase during the glory days of the Empire. In that case, one group takes something from another group. Stealing is wrong. So, […]
The 7 Habits of the Highly Effective Choral Program
Reginal Wright, TTBB Choirs R&R Chair The 7 Habits of the Highly Effective Choral Program I’ve always been drawn to Stephen Covey’s writings on success, particularly his Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. As someone who thrives on process and structure, this book has been a constant guide throughout my teaching career. When I recently […]
Building Confidence in Your Middle School Singers
Cristy Miller – Middle School/Junior High R&R Chair Building Confidence in Your Middle School Singers One of the biggest challenges I face with my middle school singers is helping them overcome their anxiety about singing in front of others. While solo singing isn’t required in my class, I want students to feel confident if they […]
Choosing Literature for Treble Ensembles
Tanner Oglesby – SSAA R&R Chair Choosing Literature for Treble Ensembles January has always been a complicated month for me. As an individual, I find January to be an exciting time, imagining new goals, starting fresh, and cleaning the slate. As a choral director, I find January to be the “lull” in the middle. Still […]
15 Truths I Learned from Living and Conducting
By Mark Lawley, Past SWACDA President 15 Truths I Learned from Living and Conducting By Mark Lawley, Past SWACDA President After 4th grader Nemo left his voice lesson, I noticed there was a penny laying on my piano. A week later, I told him he left the penny and reached to give it back to […]
Incorporating Social-Emotional Learning in Choral Rehearsals: Is There Enough Time?
By Spencer Wiley, High School Mixed Choir R&R Chair Incorporating Social-Emotional Learning in Choral Rehearsals: Is There Enough Time? By Spencer Wiley, High School Mixed Choir R&R Chair If you’re anything like me, you know that even though you may have the perfect rehearsal plan, there will be some things that will need to be […]
Magic Is Possible – by Stephen Rew
MAGIC IS POSSIBLE By Stephen Rew “Never Settle for Beautiful when MAGIC is possible.” – Charles Bruffy As a young director at a SWACDA Conference in Kansas City, I found myself sitting in the balcony of the Folly Theatre watching a performance by a Women’s Choir from Seoul, Korea. As a recent college graduate, I […]