The clacking of my keyboard echoed through the choir room as I fervently typed another letter to the parents of my singers. The sun had set long ago, the parking lot devoid of other cars, and I could taste the sweet nectar of productivity with each line I wrote. Fully immune to the darkened world around me, I was in the zone ..read more

Another February has come and gone and so ends yet another Black History Month. Your school once again called for a feel good pop piece like ‘Lean on Me’ to perform during the celebratory school-wide assembly, or perhaps you programmed a jazzy uptempo rendition of “Swing Low Sweet Chariot” to finish out your winter concert. However your choir celebrated Black History Month, the sad fact is– it’s over. And even more sad? The likelihood that most choir directors won’t program any Black composers or repertoire until February rolls around again next year. So want to uplift Black voices year round ..read more

In this changing landscape, where fewer people find resonance or support within traditional church structures, where do we turn to fulfill spiritual, communal, and support needs within society? Enter community arts organizations, where the rehearsal hall and performance stage transform into a secular and sacred space for diversity and unity; Where choirs emerge as beacons of harmony, not merely through notes and lyrics, but in the intertwining of disparate lives ..read more

Do you find yourself wishing there was more time in the day? More time in the week? Managing a choir can leave you feeling like there’s never enough time to get everything done. Each day we decide what is today’s top priority and what must wait until tomorrow — and let go of some things that will never get done. The good news is today you have an EXTRA WHOLE DAY to catch up on things you’ve been putting off. And since Leap Day only happens once every four years, we’ve made a list of 10 things to choose from ..read more

I have been working as a choral conductor for 20 years now—and I love it. It has been challenging and rewarding beyond measure. I have had the benefit of working in different positions and, in each position, learned new things and discovered different aspects of the career which I am passionate about.   But about 10 years ago, I began to notice something. I wasn’t seeing a harmony between overall career direction and my personal interests, and I didn’t initially feel comfortable talking about it with others in the profession. It was then that I began to assess what typical career paths l ..read more

  The full title should be “Books That Have Nothing to do With Chorus (That Taught Me More About Chorus Than Books About Chorus) Part 2”, but there is a character limit.  As we’re kicking off the new year (let’s go 2024!), many folks will set inspired goals, resolutions, and dreams. Perhaps, even, that goal/resolution/dream is to read more books! If so, this is a great article for you.  ..read more

The last 8th grade student walked out of my choir classroom and I eagerly watched with anticipation as my classroom door began to slowly swing shut. Clack. The lock engaged and silence quickly and finally, filled the room. I took a deep breath as my ears adjusted to the lack of aural stimuli ..read more

Whoa. It’s December, and we’re all thinking, how did that happen?! We all know it’s the most important giving period of the year, and once again, it has caught us all by surprise ..read more

I hastily made my way into the choir room, a bit out of breath from my rush to make it on time before rehearsal began. As I fumbled with my purse, choir binder, keys, and energy drink, my phone fell out of my hands and clattered onto my desk. The home screen quickly illuminated, revealing my phone’s wallpaper, a picture of a gorgeous island escape, as well as the date. October 3rd. I sighed ..read more

If you had told me in high school that I would eventually end up being a PhD student at Northwestern University, pursuing a Doctoral degree in music, I more than likely wouldn’t have believed you. While I was an AP/Honors student who loved to write, there was nothing I wouldn’t have given to just be out of school...permanently. Classes were monotonous, teachers just didn’t understand me (insert teenage angst here), and I simply hated doing homework. That all changed when I started my undergrad at Louisiana State University ..read more