6 Realizations from this White Director about Inherent Racism within my Choir
In more than two decades of teaching at the same high school, I've had less than a dozen African American
9 Valentine’s Day Rehearsal Ideas (Remote or In Person)
Whether in person or remote, Valentine's Day can be a special and productive rehearsal. For so many of our choirs,
Two-Minute Remote (or in-person) Rapid Fire Sight-Singing Drill
Do you have 2 minutes a day to devote to sight-singing? If so this approach could work well for you,
New Year, New Approach – TAKE A CHORAL BREAK!
For more than a decade, my rehearsal approach for the month of January can be described as a choral break!
3 New & Cool Holiday Choir Videos – Student-led, LIVE!
Our non-traditional year has led to 3 non-traditional holiday videos by our high school choral program. I present all three
Your Choir Can’t Carol This Year…..Here’s a New Idea
Caroling is an important part of many choral programs; caroling day is my choir's most favorite tradition of the entire
No winter concert? Now what do you do instead?
It is super disappointing when our concert season is cancelled. Each scenario across the country may be different, but
7 LAST MINUTE Holiday Repertoire Ideas that WILL work – even Remotely!
Sometimes we need a last minute holiday piece to fill out or balance our program. This year, we may be
A Pre-Thanksgiving Choral Lesson “Virtually” all students can be Grateful for!
The landscape of teaching is quite different this year, but we can still find a way to embrace Thanksgiving with
How to Effectively Engage Your Remote Learners
It can be quite difficult to engage our remote learners, especially since most of us have less than six months
7 Simple Choir Hacks for Google Classroom
If you have students who are hybrid or remote, it is likely that Google Classroom has become your new classroom.
9 Tricks and Treats for a Hybrid Halloween Choir Rehearsal!
A Choir Halloween Rehearsal can be festive and productive even when fully remote, hybrid, or live and masked. In fact, I believe our
3 Reasons I’ve Ditched SmartMusic for Sight Reading Factory
Dear Smartmusic, After 10 years, you have worn me out and I'm leaving you.Sincerely,Former Smartmusic Advocate & Cheerleader I'd been
Choosing the RIGHT Distance Learning Option!
This is a time like no other. Most of our schools are closed indefinitely as we are grieving the loss
School Closed? FREE Sight Reading Factory! DISTANCE LEARNING IDEAS!
Sight Reading Factory is a fantastic resource to use at home, especially during a potential period of online learning. My
What is the deal with your Ridiculous Choir Rules?
I came across a post in a very prominent choral director's Facebook group that asks: “What are your simple, short
Choir Ice-Breakers: Why So Many Fail……..
Ice-breakers are a great means to help a choir to bond; many can be fun, productive, and have positive results
9 Last Minute Valentine’s Day Rehearsal Ideas
Nobody should feel alone on Valentine's Day, especially during our Valentine's Day rehearsal. We can spread love throughout our room and
3 Non-Choral Activities my Choir does in February
February is a very busy month for my high school choral program and yet we have no choral concerts scheduled
Your 10 Question Choir Midterm Exam
As we reach the middle of our academic year, students are likely taking exams to evaluate their progress, while teachers
6 Creative & Engaging Rehearsal Sight-Singing Ideas – no prep required!
Let's face it, sight-singing can get boring and/or stale in choir rehearsals. The more we do it, the more they
This is NOT A “BEST OF 2019” Choral Clarity Blog!
The end of the year is the time where virtually every online publisher and podcaster releases a "Best of 2019"
15 Tips for Caroling with Seasonal Spirit & Maximum Impact
Caroling Day is my choir's favorite day of the year. We carol every year, the day before the Winter Break.
11 Reasons Why Your Choir Should Go School Caroling This Year!
The most fun day of the entire year for my high school choir is Caroling Day. On this special day, we
What NOT to do IN CLASS the day AFTER the concert….
When it comes to rehearsals immediately following a concert, there are two things that irritate me beyond belief: When teachers
17 (Last Minute) Things to Avoid – to Ensure a Smooth Concert!
17 (Last Minute) Things to Avoid - to Ensure a Smooth Concert! We've just spent many months learning notes and
11 Annual Alumni Choir Songs OTHER than “Hallelujah”
I hope you are reading this blog after my previous BLOG about why we must retire the Hallelujah Chorus. Prefacing
10 SIMPLE Things That Will Make Your Concert More Successful!
Believe it or not, most of what our audience members see and hear have nothing to do with how well
How to “Fill” Those Last Few Rehearsals Before Break
The vacation is so clearly here and everyone has one foot out the door. We may have just held our
11 Tips To Eliminating Rude Audience Behavior!
I recently read a blog post entitled, "Calling All Adults: Grow UP." It was an interesting read about the disintegration
8 Reasons I Repeat the Same Holiday Concert Music Every Year
There's plenty of high-quality choral music available for the holiday season. A large work such as Pinkham's "Christmas Cantata" or
Don’t Get Rid of the Previous Director’s Alumni Piece!
Don't get rid of the previous director's alumni piece, even if you hate it. Even if it's a disaster. At
Sight Reading Factory vs Smart Music? I NEED BOTH!
I've seen many Facebook posts asking the question of whether Sight Reading Factory or Smart Music is preferred for sight-singing.
The 5 “ROUNDS” I Use in my Choral Program Every Year – and WHY!
Rounds are an excellent learning tool and performance vehicle for choirs of all levels. Even refined high school choirs can
7 Reasons ALL Choirs Should Sing Rounds!
Rounds are an excellent learning tool and performance vehicle for choirs of all levels. Even refined high school choirs can
Ditch Choir Auditions: Everyone can sing!
When did our culture stop singing, and what are we, the choir directors, doing to bring singing back into our
4 Definitive Steps to Assess & Develop EVERY Singer’s Ear!
There are 4 tangible steps that can be taken to develop EVERY singer's ear, and in turn, develop their singing
How to Write An Effective Choir Handbook – Everything you need to know!
Why should we take the time to write a choir handbook? A handbook may seem like a tedious booklet
Is Modern “A-Cappella” Healthy or Harmful to Building a HS Choral Program?
Creating a contemporary A-Cappella group can be the best thing that has ever happened to your traditional high school choral
9 Ways to FIND Choral Repertoire for High School
Between the brick and mortar publishing companies, the online publishing companies, and the online self-publishers, there is more music to
10 Tips for Gaining Rehearsal Time
Our rehearsal time is finite, so finding ways to maximize rehearsal time can be extremely important. Many of us have
“Tone-Deaf” is an Excuse….not a Diagnosis
"Tone-Deaf" is an Excuse....not a Diagnosis.....and I blame the person who makes the diagnosis. Anyone can learn to sing. If
How to Self-Assess their Way toward Rehearsal Success
The two main components of any successful rehearsal are the planning/execution of the director and the planning/execution of the students.
11 Choir Halloween Tricks (and Treats)
As we search for ways to unify our ensemble as well as opportunities to change-up the monotony of the daily rehearsal, alas,
The “Secret” Your Weakest Sight-Singers May Be Hiding
A wise man once told me to never believe anything you hear and only half of what you see. Your
8 Keys to Turn Sight-Singing Fear into Fun!
Turning Fear into Fun My 3-year-old daughter, Lyla, and I have the same natural disposition when it comes to starting
What To Do When They Break The Rules….
Our Choir culture stems from both how we prepare AND how we instill the fabric of our desired ideals. When we prepare our Guidelines
Before Testing Their Sight-Singing, Assess This….
Before Testing Their Sight-Singing, Assess This.... Sight-singing is not an all or nothing skill, but when it comes to assessing
The 7 Keys to Having Awesome Sight-Singers Throughout Your Choir
If you've always wanted to have a choir filled with singers who can sight-sing, this blog post is for you!
The Best Ear-Training Exercise You Will Ever Use
Kodaly & Me I'm ashamed to admit it, but I'm not a Curwen hand signal user; I know it is
6 Reasons Why Your Singers Can’t Sight-Sing
6 Reasons Why Your Singers Can't Sight-Sing All students, regardless of talent or prior experience, can learn how to sight-sing.
11 Things to Avoid Doing at the First Rehearsal
Prior to my first day of teaching high school, I was given advice from the person who had just hired
The Erosion of the Choral Middle-Class
My previous post describes the traditional Choral Caste System which consists of “The Best” vs. “The Rest”. For those of