A-Cappella Rehearsing: “Frizzell Method” Given a Challenge!
Over the past 20 years, in addition to our curricular self-selected choral program, we have also created an extra-curricular A-Cappella
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
Eric Whitacre’s “Teacher of the Week” – My Thoughts
On Saturday, as I was spending time with my soon-to-be four year-old daughter, celebrating at another four year-old's birthday party,
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
Meet the Creator of Sight Reading Factory
Four years ago, I became a big believer in Sight Reading Factory after being introduced to it through Ryan Guth's Choir Ninja podcast.
14 Mistakes Choral Directors Make in their “Demo” Lesson
If you've made it past the interview round, there's a good chance you may be asked to give a demo
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.
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
8 Steps to Retain Choir Students between Schools, Grades, & Teachers
When students are transitioning from middle school to high school or switching from a 9th-10th grade teacher into an 11th-12th
10 Reasons Why I’ve Created A Choir Senior Solo Recital
A solo recital within any choral program is usually a great idea; this first-ever senior recital is a culminating experience