CORONA CHOIR...what choral folks NEED to know

Be sure to listen to Part 1 before listening to this! Artwork for Part 2 by Steven Bradshaw. Visit www.stevenbradshawart.com.

#50. If you're a choral nerd, get ready to nerd OUT. You're about to hang out withThe Crossing's two-time Grammy Award winner Donald Nally. One of the remarkable things about Donald is that his immense talent does not stop him from being vulnerable. In fact, I'm sure his openness and humility, along with his singular goal of choral honesty, are the reasons why he enjoys such success. So give a listen and discover what professional endeavor Donald avoids because he says he's a disaster at it. What it was like to meet Mick Jagger and perform with the Rolling Stones. WhyThe Crossing has performed with the LA Philharmonic and the NY Philharmonic but never The Philadelphia Orchestra. What Donald really thinks about Zoom. And what it really feels like to win not one, but TWO Grammys. And you'll hear Donald's answer to the question of what the "secret formula" is to winning a Grammy. Obviously, he's figured it out. Or has he? This is an engaging conversation, with the inimitable singing of The Crossing threaded throughout. If you don't already, you'll understand just why this ensemble has won two Grammys. But that's decidedly not why Donald does what he does. You'll find out what drives him in this very special episode. Our two-part conversation begins with something I found rather curious in his bio on The Crossing website. It ends with an excerpt fromThe Crossing's recording of Jim Primosch's Carthage , which has earned Nally and the ensemble its 6th Grammy nomination and maybe its 3rd Grammy Award for Best Choral Performance. Break a vocal fold Donald! Every piece that is highlighted in this episode, along with a link to buy it so you can know this incredible artistry and support The Crossing and the composers it champions, can be found on my website's blog. Or you can go directly to crossingchoir.org. (Donald Nally's Photo Credit: Beck Oehlers)

Not THAT much, so only give this a listen if you love mermaids or are obsessed with Ariel from The Little Mermaid, and want to explore the actual world of real life mermaiding. Yes, it's really a THING. Of course, there are always - at most - six degrees of separation between any two people or topics. In literature and music, mermaids have always been a popular subject. In the Romantic period, composer Clara Shumman set German poet Heinrich Heine's "Die Lorelei," to music as an art song. It's been wonderfully arranged as an SSA piece by Brandon Williams, available at J.W. Pepper. But really, this inaugural episode of what will be a monthly series is offered as an escape to take us choral folks outside the choir world into another world that perhaps we didn't know existed, or maybe we've always wondered..."what's THAT About!?" Our special guest is Hailey Michaux, a real mermaid! Some mermaids do it for the pictures and modeling. Some mermaids do it for the pageants and glamour. Hailey, as a life long advocate for conservation, does it to bring joy to kids (including "Make a Wish" kids), and to raise their awareness about the importance of healthy oceans. There is power in mermaiding! There is also DRAMA. As Hailey puts it, "it’s not all sunshine and tail flips." Here's the tea. It turns out there's a seedy, backstabbing, bitchy aspect to this world where - for some - purity is paramount. #finfolkvs.finfun And how about the black market of tails. Steve and Hailey cover it all - including mermaid bras. Yes, it's a thing. This hobby (or professional for some) can be expensive. But do not fear. Second hand mermaid bras can be acquired online. (Isn't that a Seinfeld episode?) And then there’s the question of what a mermaid looks like and who is allowed to be a mermaid. (Hailey says, "Anyone!") Times are a changin', but as in all worlds, change comes slow. You won't believe what some in the mermaid community asserted when Halle Bailey, a performer of color, was announced as the lead in The Little Mermaid movie. Does a mermaid have to be skinny? Not in 2021! Does a mermaid have to be female? Ah, what you never heard of "mermen." There are even "mertenders." You can't make this stuff up! To get the skinny - or not - give a listen to this hour long, deep dive (sorry, couldn't resist) into this very intense, fascinating and strange world of mermaiding. And don't forget to follow Hailey @mermaid.anemone on Instagram.

CORONA CHOIR is baaaaaaaack with both "Greatest Choir Director" and "Let the Choir Kid Talk". If you want great ideas on how to maintain and grow choral relationships, for what this episode's main guest thinks of as "the long run" - with not just your choir members but with the other choirs in which they sing - then this really fun episode is for you. Steve Fisher has an engaging conversation with Frank Van Atta, Choir Director of Upper Choir ensembles at Germantown Friends School, along with three of Frank's students who also are long time members of the community-based Commonwealth Youthchoirs. Choir Kids Graham, Zack and Amelia don't hold back with what they're thinking 11 months (!) into the pandemic. Click here for the show notes. And if you are interested in learning more about an engaging online experience for your choir that takes the pressure off you the choir director, visit singlikeasouthafrican.com.

#048. If you still have questions around singing and the science of rehearsing and performing in person, this episode is for you! Don't miss this exclusive conversation with Dr. Jelena Srebric of the University of Maryland, one of two lead researchers on the main study that choral directors have relied upon since the pandemic began: the International Coalition of Performing Arts Aerosol Study. There's a lot of good news in this 3rd report, but vigilance and adhering to best practices is crucial - especially as corona has been on the rise again in many regions of the world. Click here for Report #3, presenting findings thru month five of the sixth month study. Conversation topics includes: the summary of latest report from landmark study, Dr. Srebric's prediction for the next several months in regards to the second wave of the virus; how corona has affected musicians in Dr. Srebric's own family and how they have informed her work; what the last part of the study will focus on (due in January); silver linings of the pandemic; how impressed Dr. Srebric and her team has been with the arts community's instinct for mobilization during this crisis; what the future holds for how we all approach life spaces, choir and life. If you'd like to watch the video version of this episode click here. If you're interested in a free virtual workshop "Sing Like A South African" on Sunday, 1/3/21, request an invite here.

#046. Spoiler alert! This is Part 2, the sequel to yesterday's cliff hanger episode (#045). Find out Audim's decision when Steve told her that if she left the rehearsal for the upcoming world premier of The Little Dancer musical in NYC to go to an undisclosed cheerleading practice, she would be cut from the show. (But first, be sure to listen to Part 1, episode #045.) And don't miss Audim express in her own words how important it is for young people to have music in their lives. Visit the SHOW NOTES for links related to this episode. You can also visit coronachoir.org for more resources. There you can join the email list and be automatically entered into a drawing to tour South Africa with Steve and make music with his South African friends - all expenses paid.

#045. If you want to be reminded of the POWER of CHOIR in a person's life, this episode is for you. Steve lets Audim, this week's Choir Kid of the week, TALK! Audim is a 10th grader who has been a member of Commonwealth Youthchoirs (CY) since 2nd grade. She started out in the Find Your Instrument!(FYI!) program, CY's partnership with schools who don't have formal music offerings for their students. Audim graduated from FYI! to CY's Pennsylvania Girlchoir, and never looked back. She has made great friends while making great music, has travelled the world, has been on Good Morning America, and has performed in the musical The Little Dancer...a family holiday musical at Theatre 71 right off Broadway in New York City. But she almost didn't. Listen and find out Steve and Audim's "moment." It's a cliff hanger! Visit the SHOW NOTES for links related to this episode. You can also visit coronachoir.org for more resources. There you can join the email list and be automatically entered into a drawing to tour South Africa with Steve and make music with his South African friends - all expenses paid.

#044. The pandemic WILL end and our choirs WILL tour again. Steve's prediction is that, by this summer, it will be safe to tour - depending on your tolerance for calculated risk. But you need to start planning now. For those choirs who don't have a tradition of touring, maybe you should start one, as a carrot to get singers to return post pandemic. And here's a bold question. Why not plan your own concert tour? That's right, no travel agents, no tour companies. You CAN do it yourself and end up offering your choristers their best tour yet. Not only could it cost less per day than any previous tour, but planning your own tour allows your organization to benefit financially. Today Steve gives a sneak peak at a course he'll be offering at the end of the season on how to plan your own concert tour. He also provides a list of countries that are admitting tourists without a quarantine at this moment in time and shares a great idea colleagues had for being hosted by international choirs right now. Visit the SHOW NOTES for links related to this episode. You can also visit coronachoir.org for more resources. There you can join the email list and be automatically entered into a drawing to tour South Africa with Steve and make music with his South African friends - all expenses paid. If you're a choir leader and you need help solving a choir problem of any kind, visit 1 on 1 with Fish the Choir Guy, where 30 years experience meets your choral challenges. Finally, stay tuned for Steve's online mine course series, "South African Songs in 7!," as well as a course on how choral organizations can plan their own concert tours. That's right. Your ensemble can have far superior and much less expensive tour experiences, with the profit going to your organization's bottom line instead of a cookie cutter tour company.

#043. It's "Greatest Director" Tuesday with a final conversation with Jenny Hutton and a shout out to the supremely awesome Dr. Donald Dumpson. Dr. Dumpson comes up in one of Steve's "Confessions of a Choir Director." Even when we're making real, significant, noble efforts to rid ourselves and our choral communities of internal, societal and/or institutional racism, bias can be present. The future Dr. Hutton and Steve talk about how we all tend to put choir directors in a box - including ourselves. They wrap up talking about choral leaders having time for singers, truly partnering with them to build true relationships, and honoring what they already bring of value to the music making from their own musical and life experiences independent of us. It's a realm that is of particular interest to Jenny as a doctoral candidate, educator and human. Choral leaders need to do themselves what they tell their singers is the most important thing of all...listen. Venerated choir director Eph Ehly likes to say that we choir directors and our choir are alone in a very tiny, little corner of this planet called Earth. Therefore each of us are the greatest choir director and our choir is the greatest choir in the world. Through that lens, we are actually very BIG. Jenny Hutton you are indeed the greatest choir director. You too Donald Dumpson. Visit the SHOW NOTES for links related to this episode. You can also visit coronachoir.org for more resources. There you can join the email list and be automatically entered into a drawing to tour South Africa with Steve and make music with his South African friends - all expenses paid. If you're a choir leader and you need help solving a choir problem of any kind, visit 1 on 1 with Fish the Choir Guy, where 30 years experience meets your choral challenges. Finally, stay tuned for Steve's online mine course series, "South African Songs in 7!," as well as a course on how choral organizations can plan their own concert tours. That's right. Your ensemble can have far superior and much less expensive tour experiences, with the profit going to your organization's bottom line instead of a cookie cutter tour company.

#042. Veteran high school choir director and Temple University doctoral candidate Jenny Hutton and Steve take on cultural appropriation and the need to balance honoring the music without paralysis by analysis. Jenny talks about her opportunity to work with the fabulous Rollo Dilworth and his approach to the subject. Jenny cites a specific challenge she faced with an Aruban harvest piece and how she handled it. What a music educator! Visit the SHOW NOTES for links related to this episode. You can also visit coronachoir.org for more resources. There you can join the email list and be automatically entered into a drawing to tour South Africa with Steve and make music with his South African friends - all expenses paid. You will also get exclusive access to the official "Links Hub," which includes all the links from all episodes, organized by category. If you're a choir leader and you need help solving a choir problem of any kind, visit 1 on 1 with Fish the Choir Guy, where 30 years experience meets your choral challenges. Finally, stay tuned for Steve's debut on teachable.com, with his online mine course series, "South African Songs in 7!," as well as a course on how choral organizations can plan their own concert tours. That's right. Your ensemble can have far superior and much less expensive tour experiences, with the profit going to your organization's bottom line instead of a cookie cutter tour company.

#041. Veteran high school choir director and Temple University doctoral candidate Jenny Hutton and Steve pick up where Micah and Steve left off in dialoging about challenges in choral communities around gender. We tend to think of gender issues as being solely trans issues. But there is a spectrum. CORONA CHOIR's recent guest, Adam Burdick, is gender fluid. He, in his own words, "may never fully transition." Recently, Steve encountered in his program, a very young boy who began presenting as gender fluid. When his group began performing a piece that referenced "boys," the singer informed Steve that he could not sing the song since he was not identifying as a boy "at that moment." What to do? Steve and Jenny discuss, and it leads to a larger discussion about repertoire choices for boys, and the important opportunity boys singing together provides for male esteem and bonding. Visit the SHOW NOTES for links related to this episode. You can also visit coronachoir.org for more resources. There you can join the email list and be automatically entered into a drawing to tour South Africa with Steve and make music with his South African friends - all expenses paid. You will also get exclusive access to the official "Links Hub," which includes all the links from all episodes, organized by category. If you're a choir leader and you need help solving a choir problem of any kind, visit 1 on 1 with Fish the Choir Guy, where 30 years experience meets your choral challenges. Finally, stay tuned for Steve's debut on teachable.com, with his online mine course series, "South African Songs in 7!," as well as a course on how choral organizations can plan their own concert tours. That's right. Your ensemble can have far superior and much less expensive tour experiences, with the profit going to your organization's bottom line instead of a cookie cutter tour company.

#040. Part 6 wraps up Steve's conversation with Jerusalem Youth Chorus' founder Micah Hendler. With his Forbes free lance writer hat on, Micah talks about some of his favorite interviews, like Eric Whitacre talking about virtual communities. Confession of a Choir Director: Steve has an ADD moment mid conversation, leaving Micah wondering where he went. But Steve wasn't completely multitasking. Steve then reveals the most challenging topic he thinks choirs are facing - besides corona of course. But not to worry. Micah and Raise Your Voice Labs can help. And just for fun, Micah gives us a sense of what it's like to live in DC right now in the run up to the election. Was that Air Force 1 landing outside his window? Listen to find out. Visit the SHOW NOTES for links related to this episode. You can also visit coronachoir.org for more resources. There you can join the email list and be automatically entered into a drawing to tour South Africa with Steve and make music with his South African friends - all expenses paid. You will also get exclusive access to the official "Links Hub," which includes all the links from all episodes, organized by category. Also, if you're a choir leader and you need help solving a choir problem of any kind, visit 1 on 1 with Fish the Choir Guy, where 30 years experience meets your choral challenges. Finally, stay tuned for Steve's debut on teachable.com, with his online mine course series, "South African Songs in 7!" and a course on how choral organizations can plan their own concert tours. Your ensemble can have far superior and much less expensive tour experiences, with the profit going to your organization's bottom line instead of a cookie cutter tour company.

#039. In Part 5 of Steve's conversation with Jerusalem Youth Chorus' founder Micah Hendler, they continue their conversation about the groundbreaking "Raise Your Voice Labs" which Micah created with Sarah Brajtbord and Austin Willacy (pictured) . Micah recalls that Steve's Commonwealth Youthchoirs is the only ensemble of the many that have hosted JYC who invited Micah to lead a JYC style dialogue about its own internal challenges around race. I guess you could say it was a precursor "Raise Your Voice Labs." Somehow "Mr. Holland's Opus" and "The 3 Amigos" came up in today's conversation. Listen to find out why. Visit the SHOW NOTES for links related to this episode. You can also visit coronachoir.org for more resources. There you can join the email list and be automatically entered into a drawing to tour South Africa with me and make music with my South African friends - all expenses paid. You will also get exclusive access to the official "Links Hub," which includes all the links from all episodes, organized by category. Also, if you're a choir leader and you need help solving a choir problem of any kind, visit 1 on 1 with Fish the Choir Guy, where 30 years experience meets your choral challenges. Finally, stay tuned for Steve's online mine course series, "South African Songs in 7!"

#038. In Part 4 of Steve's conversation with Jerusalem Youth Chorus' founder Micah Hendler, they talk about the groundbreaking "Raise Your Voice Labs" which Micah created with Sarah Brajtbord (pictured) and Austin Willacy, to help organizations experiencing conflict to improve their community's culture by learning to listen better via song composition and dialogue. Visit the SHOW NOTES for links related to this episode. You can also visit coronachoir.org for more resources. There you can join the email list and be automatically entered into a drawing to tour South Africa with me and make music with my South African friends - all expenses paid. You will also get exclusive access to the official "Links Hub," which includes all the links from all episodes, organized by category. Also, if you're a choir leader and you need help solving a choir problem of any kind, visit 1 on 1 with Fish the Choir Guy, where 30 years experience meets your choral challenges. Finally, stay tuned for Steve's online mine course series, "South African Songs in 7!"

#037. Do you have questions or struggles around gender inclusivity and choir? If so, this episode is for you. In Part 3 of 6 of Steve's dialogue with Micah Hendler, Founder and Artistic Director of the Jerusalem Youth Chorus, they talk about Steve's struggles regarding gender and the particular nature of boychoirs and girlchoirs. Micah talks about related challenges with his own organizations on the larger level of conflict and disagreement. Luckily, Micah has tools to help us work through them! Visit the SHOW NOTES for links related to this episode. You can also visit coronachoir.org for more resources. There you can join the email list and be automatically entered into a drawing to tour South Africa with me and make music with my South African friends - all expenses paid. You will also get exclusive access to the official "Links Hub," which includes all the links from all episodes organized by category. Also, if you're a choir leader and you need someone to partner with to solve a choir problem of any kind, visit 1 on 1 with Fish the Choir Guy, where 30 years experience meets your choral challenges.

#035. Here's some binge-worthy listening. Steve's guest is Micah Hendler, the Founder and Artistic Director of the Jerusalem Youth Chorus. If you know this ensemble, you love and are inspired by it. If you don't know the Jerusalem Youth Chorus, you need to. It's an ensemble of of Israeli and Palestinian young people singing TOGETHER. But it's more than that, as choirs are always are. Micah describes it as a music and dialogue project. It's been featured for its innovative musicianship and integrity of purpose and process everywhere from the Late Show with Stephen Colbert to the New York Times. Through the co-creation of music and the sharing of stories, the chorus empowers young singers from East and West Jerusalem to speak and sing their truths as they become leaders in their communities and inspire singers and listeners around the world to join them in their work for peace, justice, inclusion, and equality. Like Steve's recent conversation with Adam Burdick, this dialogue that begins today, continues tomorrow, and through next week, is an odyssey of vital and fascinating topics. Today we find out how the Jerusalem Youth Chorus is weathering the pandemic. Its unique approach is a reminder of what choir leaders already know - that amazing ideas often come not from choral leaders, but from the choristers themselves. Visit the SHOW NOTES for links related to this episode. You can also visit coronachoir.org for more resources. There you can join the email list and be automatically entered into a drawing to tour South Africa with me and make music with my South African friends - all expenses paid.

#033. Are you still struggling to understand the science of making choral music safely in person? Is your choir transitioning from virtual to in person, or you'd like to but need to convince your community that it's safe? Have you made the transition but are still anxious about things such as the air exchange rate in your room? Are you contemplating not having your Singers wear masks? Today, in Part 2 of my conversation with Dr. Joseph Ohrt, we talk about how he has partnered with his administration to understand the science around singing to achieve their number one priority of making sure his choristers are safe as they resume in person rehearsals at Central Bucks High School - West. Visit the SHOW NOTES for links related to this episode. You can also visit coronachoir.org for more resources. There you can join the email list and be automatically entered into a drawing to tour South Africa with me and make music with my South African friends - all expenses paid. Listeners on the email list also get exclusive access to the official CORONA CHOIR "Links Hub," which includes all the links from all episodes organized by category.

#032. Ubuntu means "a person is a person through other people." Dr. Joseph Ohrt of Central Bucks High School-West instinctively knows what it means, evidenced by the remarkable choral program he's built. In fact, we didn't even mention the Zulu word in our conversation. Dr. Ohrt just gets it. There is no English translation for the word ubuntu. The term "community" is the closest we have, but it falls far short. Regardless of the limits of language, we all know deep down that a person realizes their human potential not by achieving certain things or recognition, or titles, or money, or fame, but through their relationships with other people. "Because you are, I am," was one of the favorite phrases of Nelson Mandela, who Dr. Ohrt's choir sang for when Madiba visited Philadelphia. Dr. Ohrt's ensembles have sung for many heads of states, and have performed at esteemed venues such as the White House, and Carnegie Hall many times over. But these kinds of honors are not ultimately what is central to what a choir is. What's central is ubuntu. It's not a coincidence that both ubuntu and choir are central to South African township life. Choir is the ultimate manifestation of ubuntu. Today Dr. Ohrt talks to us about what's happening with his choirs right now and how important it is for connection to remain at the center of how we are engaging our choirs as we endure the pandemic. Visit the SHOW NOTES for links related to this episode. You can also visit coronachoir.org for more resources and an opportunity to tour South Africa all expenses paid. .

#031. How does a choir director react when a stranger tells him he has blood on his hands? Or when a post to his choir's facebook page asks, "Where's the remorse?" Dr. Adam Burdick honesty and poignantly answers these questions and much more. Part 6 of Steve's conversation with Adam is the culminating episode of a podcast journey to know Adam, and the widely known story of his Skagit Valley Chorale's March 10th rehearsal that resulted in almost all of the attendees becoming infected by the corona virus - including Adam and his wife. Two of Adam's choristers succumbed to complications from Covid-19. Adam lets us know how Skagit is making music now, and gives his firm advice to other choirs that are contemplating making music in the same room. A video version of this episode can be found on Fisher Mann Podcasts' Youtube channel. It's a powerfully intense episode, but not without its lighter moments, including fun Ben Folds and Enya tidbits around the topic of virtual choir options. Visit these SHOW NOTES for links related to this episode. You can also visit coronachoir.org for more resources and an opportunity to tour South Africa all expenses paid.

#030. Part 5 of Steve's conversation starts out with Steve asking Adam a question he's always wanted to ask of someone who is trans/gender fluid. Steve also reveals a recent encounter he had when a person of color in an overwhelmingly white neighborhood noticed Steve notice his presence. The conversation winds its way to why the brains of lonely locusts shrink and the insight they offer us during the pandemic, which then leads to Adam discussing his reason for wearing eyeliner on Zoom chorus rehearsals. Don't miss tomorrow's video podcast for the final part of Steve and Adam's 6-part conversation. It can be found on Fisher Mann Podcasts Youtube channel. It will focus on Adam's March 10th choir rehearsal that resulted in almost all of the attendees getting corona - including him and his wife. Two of Adam's choristers passed away from complications of the disease. Visit the SHOW NOTES for links related to this episode. You can also visit coronachoir.org for more choral goodies.

#029. From Matthew Shepard and Tyler Clementi, to the subject of unmarried men who interact with children often being suspected of being pedophiles (!), once again, today's conversation with Adam Burdick of the Skagit Valley Chorale winds its way to unexpected topics that Steve had no intentions of talking about when he first envisioned an interview with Adam. But they're important and fascinating ones, and ones that give both Adam and Steve another dimension as people and choir directors. Tomorrow will be the last audio-only portion of Steve's conversation with Adam. Friday's final part of their 6-part conversation will be a video podcast and will focus on Adam's March 10th choir rehearsal that resulted in almost all of the attendees getting Covid - including him and his wife. Two of Adam's choristers passed away from the disease. Visit the SHOW NOTES for links related to this episode. You can also visit coronachoir.org for more choral goodies.

#028. Never estimate the power of a smile. Today is Part 3 of Steve's conversation with Skagit Valley Chorale artistic director and conductor Dr. Adam Burdick. What is the power of smile? Adam knows. And you should too - for the next time you encounter someone who is different, and they catch you looking. Visit the SHOW NOTES for links related to this episode. You can also visit coronachoir.org for more choral goodies.

#027. Steve's conversation with Skagit Valley Chorale artistic director and conductor Dr. Adam Burdick continues. The Chorale, based in Mt. Vernon Washington, made international headlines when its March 10th rehearsal resulted in most of the attendees getting sick - including Adam and his wife. Sadly, two Singers passed away. Today's dialogue includes Adam talking more about his journey of gender fluidity, which began at age 11. Him agreeing to have a conversation with Steve on Zoom represented another step in this journey - appearing gender fluid in a media setting. Part 6 of Adam and Steve's conversation will be a video podcast and focus on the now infamous March rehearsal. But you are strongly encouraged to listen to the first five parts of the conversation in audio only as well. Gender is of course important to Adam, like for all of us. It is, like his experience last March, a part of Adam's story. But they do not define him either. Visit the SHOW NOTES for links related to this episode. You can also visit coronachoir.org for more choral goodies.

#026. Today is Part 1 of host Steve Fisher's conversation with Skagit Valley Chorale artistic director and conductor Dr. Adam Burdick. The Chorale, based in Mr. Vernon, Washington, made international headlines when a rehearsal resulted in most of the attendees getting sick with Covid-19, including Adam and his wife. Sadly, two Singers passed away from the disease. To say it hit home for choral folks is an understatement. The reality is, it could have been any of our choirs. This conversation with Steve is the first time Adam has spoken publicly about the heart-wrenching ordeal he and his ensemble endured since March. They cover a wide range of important and fascinating topics. Adam and his choristers are real live choral folks who deserve to be known in three dimensions. Adam’s words, and his deep humanity, achieve this.

#024. Is your choir being told you're not allowed to sing? Are athletic teams at your school or in your area being allowed to do things that your choir isn't? Like...meet? Or not adhere to social distancing and masks. Then this episode is for you! High School Choir Director Brett joins us again to talk about his ongoing journey with his administration to get permission to sing beyond chanting. Wanna go to South Africa with Commonwealth Youthchoirs in 2022 - ALL EXPENSES PAID? To be entered to win, sign up for the CORONA CHOIR email list at coronachoir.org. You can also visit the SHOW NOTES for today's episode for all kinds of choral goodies.

#024. If you are wondering whether your choir is going to be able to internationally tour this summer, this episode is for you. Steve shares what his organization is saying now to his choristers and how he's putting things in place in the event that it is possible and prudent to tour. He offers some tips about how to frame tour to your choral community. He then takes us to South Africa to catch up with his good friend and colleague Thabang to find out how he and his Lesedi Choir is doing. They also talk about plans for a South African tour and collaboration planned for December 2021 / January 2022. YOU could be on that tour - ALL EXPENSES PAID! To be entered to win, sign up for the email list at coronachoir.org. You can also visit the SHOW NOTES for today's episode for all kinds of choral goodies.

#023. The Corona Choir roller coaster continues. With President and Mrs. Trump and many in the White House inner circle having tested positive, everyone is reminded again that this ongoing pandemic is real. The Skagit Valley Chorale (SVC) community needs no reminders. In March this adult choir based in Mt. Vernon, Washington lost two choir members to Covid-19. Be sure to listen to this Friday's episode, as it will be a poignant one for all of us choral folks when Steve has a conversation with SVC choral director Dr. Adam Burdick. It's the first time Adam has spoken publicly about his and his ensemble's harrowing, heart breaking experience. Today, for Science and Singing Tuesday, we continue talking to Chorus America's CEO Catherine Dehoney about the ongoing education we all need around what the research is, and the tools available to us to keep our choruses safe. She and Steve recall how little we knew in March, when tragedy struck SVC. The reality is, it could have been any of us. Visit the SHOW NOTES to find Catherine's favorite choir and corona choir resources and all sorts of other choral goodies.

#022. Nelson Mandela said, "a great leader has time for people." Chorus Amercia's CEO Catherine Dehoney can check that box. Listen to find out why. If you're missing leadership in the world like the kind Nelson Mandela provided, you'll love this episode. Wanna travel with host Steve Fisher and Commonwealth Youthchoirs to South Africa in 2021 - ALL EXPENSES PAID? Sign up for the Corona Choir email list at coronachoir.org. Because SOMEBODY is going to South Africa! Visit the SHOW NOTES to find Catherine's favorite choir and corona choir resources and all sorts of other choral goodies.

#021. If you ever wonder what your young choristers are thinking, this episode is for you. From the mouths of choir kids come insight, wisdom and inspiration! Aidan talks about how school is going this year, what he misses most about choir, how he feels about virtual choir vs. in person singing, and how he decides whether or not to participate in choir offerings. Aidan and Steve also discuss the merits of "Sleigh Ride" vs. Ceremony of Carols, and dyed green hair. Wanna travel with host Steve Fisher and Commonwealth Youthchoirs to South Africa in 2021 - ALL EXPENSES PAID? Sign up for the Corona Choir email list at coronachoir.org. Because SOMEBODY is going to South Africa! You'll find this episode's show notes at coronachoir.org as well.

#020. The pandemic has required choral folks to reinvent how they do what they do. Many of us are also reinventing ourselves and doing NEW things. If you're finding yourself needing or wanting to take a leap to a new line of work in the arts, but you worry it's too late, this episode is a must listen! It's also not too late to do something else you've always dreamed of...travel to SOUTH AFRICA. Come along with host Steve Fisher and Commonwealth Youthchoirs on its tour in late December 2021 - ALL EXPENSES PAID! Sign up for the Corona Choir email list at coronachoir.org to be automatically entered into the drawing. Because SOMEBODY is going to South Africa! You'll find this episode's show notes there as well. You can get entered a second time by honestly reviewing Corona Choir on Apple podcasts. Just send a screen shot of the review to stevefisherpodcasts@gmail.com. Even if you say you hate it, you'll still be entered ;-)

#019. Wondering when your choir can tour again? Looking for guidance about what countries are allowing foreigners and how to track when things change? Then this episode is for you. Spend time with Daniel Moon, manager of South Korea's World Vision Children's Choir. They had to cancel their annual invitational festival, but it's back on for this coming August. On our weekly annual virtual choir tour, we also touch down in New York to find out the latest with the arts, and in Portugal for a quick update about how our friend Aoife Hiney is doing with her choir in Aveiro, Portugal. Wanna travel with host Steve Fisher and Commonwealth Youthchoirs to South Africa in 2021 - ALL EXPENSES PAID? Sign up for the Corona Choir email list at coronachoir.org. Because SOMEBODY is going to South Africa! You'll find this episode's show notes at coronachoir.org as well.

#018. Room ventilation and in person choral singing. It's not easy to understand the science, let alone how that applies to our own choral spaces. If you have questions about it, this episode is a must. Wanna travel with host Steve Fisher and Commonwealth Youthchoirs to South Africa in 2021 - ALL EXPENSES PAID? Sign up for the Corona Choir email list at coronachoir.org. Because SOMEBODY is going to South Africa! You'll find this episode's show notes at coronachoir.org as well.

#017. The arts in 2017 contributed $877.8 billion (4.5%) to the United States gross domestic product. That’s five times higher than the contribution of agriculture, and more than the sectors of construction and transportation/warehousing combined. So the health and future of the arts, including iconic arts businesses like J.W. Pepper should be a priority for everyone. Today we talk to Pepper’s Manager of Product Sales Tom Sabatino and School Editor Jennifer Moorhatch, to find out about what Pepper is offering choral folks as we survive the first full season during the pandemic. Pepper is listening to choir folks and meeting our needs! Did you know that J.W. Pepper created the very first sousaphone for John Phillip Sousa? You won’t believe where it was rediscovered! Wanna travel with host Steve Fisher and Commonwealth Youthchoirs to South Africa in 2021 - ALL EXPENSES PAID? Sign up for the Corona Choir email list at coronachoir.org. Because SOMEBODY is going to South Africa! You'll find this episode's show notes at coronachoir.org as well.

#016. Jenny Mazzola is a Garden State Girlchoir choir mom. And she is a chorister in her own right as a member of the fledgling Sparrow Women's Chorale. Jenny has been singing in choirs since she was the age of her own daughters, both of whom are serious choristers. Grace and Megan come by their love of choral music honestly! Grace, a senior at Pitman High School, has already decided she wants to be a choir director. Not a solo performer who is going to major in music education as a "back up." Grace is going into choral music, because choral music is in Grace. Megan is in her own right an extraordinary young woman and chorister. Today, Friday, is NOT "Let the Choir Kid Talk." It's let the Choir PARENT talk. We'll discover what the conversation is at home about whether or not to let choristers sing in person outside, or inside, when the weather turns cold. These are tough questions for choir parents. One thing is certain. Without Choir Parents, there would no children's choirs. If there weren't children's choirs, there'd be no university choral programs, no adult choirs, and no audience members at choral concerts. So today's episode is dedicated to Jenny and all choir parents, who are normally the unsung heroes of children's choirs. But not today! Wanna travel with host Steve Fisher and Commonwealth Youthchoirs to South Africa in 2021 - ALL EXPENSES PAID? Sign up for the Corona Choir email list at coronachoir.org. Because SOMEBODY is going to South Africa! You'll find this episode's show notes at coronachoir.org as well.

#015. Hazzan, or Cantor, David Tilman of Keneseth Israel in Elkins Park, PA is this week's "Greatest Choir Director." Venerated Choir Director, Eph Ehly says, "Choir directors, stop competing! Stop feeling better than, stop feeling less than. Because, we are all small and all big. Each Choir Director and their choir are in their our own little tiny corner of the world." Therefore, each of us are the greatest choir director and the greatest choir in the world. David is a graduate of the Juilliard School of Music, where he majored in Choral Conducting. He was the student of Abraham Kaplan, conductor of the choruses on the premiere recordings of Leonard Bernstein’s choral/orchestral compositions. David was the long time cantor of Beth Shalom in Elkins Park and now directs the volunteer adult choir at Keneseth Israel, Shir KI. With Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur upon us, David shares with us how the pandemic shaped this year's high holy days at KI. L'Shana Tovah and G'mar Tov' to all who observe! Wanna travel with host Steve Fisher and Commonwealth Youthchoirs to South Africa in 2021 - ALL EXPENSES PAID? Sign up for the Corona Choir email list at coronachoir.org. Because SOMEBODY is going to South Africa! You'll find this episode's show notes at coronachoir.org as well.

#014. Charles Dickens said, "At the end of your life, you will not regret the things you did do, but the things you did not do. The world is your home. Go forth." This resonates with choirs folks and our tradition of touring. With the pandemic, our tours for the spring and summer were cancelled. And like everything else, we're wondering when choirs can tour again. Today, we head out on a virtual tour to an extraordinary city at the very tip of South America... Punta Arenas, Chile. The warmth of the Chilean people, their love of music, and their national beverage of choice - the pisco sour - make it an amazing country to visit! Today listeners spend time with the charming Jorge Sharp, an engineer by day and a choir director by night. Chile is still really struggling with the pandemic. One of the ways many Chileans cope is through their great tradition of making music in the home with family members. Illustrating that point so poignantly is what happens spontaneously during host Steve Fisher's conversation with Jorge. Wanna travel with Steve and Commonwealth Youthchoirs to South Africa in 2021 - ALL EXPENSES PAID? Sign up for the Corona Choir email list at coronachoir.org. Because SOMEBODY is going to South Africa! You'll find this episode's show notes at coronachoir.org as well.

#013. Today we're talking to Kym Scott, the inventor of Sing-Safe masks. Kym has designed two masks, what she calls the Performer's Mask to accommodate and protect the Singer while performing, and the Teacher's mask that eliminates the muffled speech challenges when lecturing associated with regular cloth. Kym is uniquely qualified for this unexpected entrepreneurial adventure in several ways. She is the Director of Choral Activities at West Virginia University. She developed another major qualification for the job as a child in Queensland Australia, as you're about to hear. Talk about zero to singer masks. What wondrous times these are indeed! We're all finding ourselves doing things we couldn't have imagined six months ago. Wanna travel with Steve Fisher and Commonwealth Youthchoirs to South Africa in 2021 - ALL EXPENSES PAID? Sign up for the Corona Choir email list at coronachoir.org. Because SOMEBODY is going to South Africa! You'll find this episode's show notes at coronachoir.org as well.

#012. Recently, The New York Times declared the U.S. college campus as the new covid hot spot. When Texas Christian University cancels its opening football game, you know it's serious. To-date, there have been approximately 88,000 college covid cases across America. Only 27% of colleges tested students when they first arrived on campus. Because it's expensive - as much as $100 per test - it's no surprise that there is a strong correlation between the size of the university's endowment and the amount of testing. Spend some time with Dr. Elizabeth Cassidy Parker of Temple University's Esther Boyer College of Music where she is an Associate Professor in Music Education to hear how Temple's coping. Her message is a hopeful one! Today's featured choral music is "No Time," arranged by Susan Brumfield, as sung by Pennsylvania Girlchoir under the direction of Dr. Parker. Wanna travel with Steve Fisher, Dr. Parker and Commonwealth Youthchoirs to South Africa in 2021 - ALL EXPENSES PAID? Sign up for the Corona Choir email list at coronachoir.org. Because SOMEBODY is going to South Africa! You'll find this episode's show notes at coronachoir.org as well.

#11. Today, we "Let the Choir Kid Talk." Choir Directors don't like to hear talking in rehearsal, but we love to hear what choristers are thinking during the pandemic. What they're feeling. What their ideas are. Their disappointments. Their hopes. In honor of today's young guests, (and yesterday's! #hope), today's feature song is "Hope for Resolution." Chloe is an 8th grader, a chorister at William Allen Middle School where this week's Greatest Choir Director Hope Knight teaches. Charlie, a 9th grader, is a former chorister of Hope's. He started high school this week at Moorestown High School. He's singing Tenor 2 in the Choir. Chloe is also a member of Garden State Girlchoir and Charlie is a founding member and co-president of New Jersey Boychoir, the brother choir of Garden State Girlchoir. Both programs of Corona Choir host Steve Fisher's organization, Commonwealth Youthchoirs. Wanna travel with Steve Fisher and Commonwealth Youthchoirs to South Africa in 2021 - ALL EXPENSES PAID? Sign up for the Corona Choir email list at coronachoir.org. Because SOMEBODY is going to South Africa! You'll find the show notes at coronachoir.org as well.

#10. This week's Greatest Choir Director is Hope Knight. This week's Greatest Choir is her William Allen Middle School Choir in New Jersey's Moorestown School District. Hope worked with her administration to adjust the choral schedule this year to align with her philosophies around choirs and corona. #justsaynotovirtualchoirs #authenticchoralselves Hope's General Music class schedule is a lot to absorb. But she is making it work, as music educators are used to doing! Hope is also president of South Jersey Choral Directors’ Association. Wanna travel with Steve Fisher and Commonwealth Youthchoirs to South Africa in 2021 - ALL EXPENSES PAID? Sign up for the Corona Choir email list at coronachoir.org. Because SOMEBODY is going to South Africa! You'll find the show notes at coronachoir.org as well.

#009. Every Wednesday, we grab our passports and take a choir tour around the world to see what's going on in different corners of the globe. The itinerary includes Sydney, Australia, the Czech Republic, London, England, and a sit down in Aveiro, Portugal to spend time with Dr. Aoife Hiney. Aoife is the founder of Voz Nua, a non-professional adult choir that rehearses at the University of Aveiro, where she works as a researcher. Voz Nua's approach is unique, where the Singers contribute to performance interpretation, whether they have a Masters degree in conducting or are new to choral music. Aoife is rehearsing with her choir both virtually and in person. But she feels the weight of taking this calculated risk. Wanna travel with Steve Fisher and Commonwealth Youthchoirs to South Africa in 2021 - ALL EXPENSES PAID? Sign up for the Corona Choir email list at coronachoir.org. Because SOMEBODY is going to South Africa! You'll find the show notes at coronachoir.org as well.

#008. David Mannino, MD, is a top-ranked medical expert in the research and treatment of COPD, a chronic lung disease that includes chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or both. While in med school Dave sang in choir. You won't believe which one. I didn't. From 1991 to 2004, Dr. Mannino was with the Center for Disease Control focusing on Respiratory Health Branch. While there, he helped develop the National Asthma program. Wanna travel with Steve Fisher and Commonwealth Youthchoirs to South Africa in 2021 - ALL EXPENSES PAID? Sign up for the Corona Choir email list at coronachoir.org. Because SOMEBODY is going to South Africa! You'll find the show notes at coronachoir.org as well.

#007. Voz Nua Founder and Conductor, Aoife Hiney, makes an audio appearance from Aveira, Portugal. Every choir leader in the world still is uncertain about who's recommending what, what's prudent, what's safe, what's best for us and our choir members. Remember, a choir is a reflection of its director. If we don't do what works for us, it won't work for our choirs. But we need accurate information. So we're BACH for another week of CORONA CHOIR... what choral folks NEED to know. Today's episode features high school singers from Commonwealth Youthchoirs' Anonymous 16 singing Bach's Cantata No. 4. Wait until you hear the story of Bach and his contemporary George Fredrick Handel. You'll also love Bass 2 Jake podcast bombing. Wanna travel with Steve Fisher and Commonwealth Youthchoirs to South Africa in 2021 - ALL EXPENSES PAID? Sign up for the Corona Choir email list at coronachoir.org. Because SOMEBODY is going to South Africa! You'll find the show notes at coronachoir.org as well.

#006. Choir folks around the world have been challenged by not being able to make music in the same room. For South African choral folks, there is an added layer of emotional strain. That's because choral music is not an activity in South Africa. It's not a profession. It is a way of life for all South Africans. Host Steve Fisher talks to his good friend and fellow choir director, Thabang Mokoena, to see how he and his Lesedi Choir members are coping. Wanna travel with Steve Fisher and Commonwealth Youthchoirs to sing with Thabang and Lesedi in South Africa in 2021 - ALL EXPENSES PAID? Sign up for the Corona Choir email list at coronachoir.org. Because SOMEBODY is going to South Africa!

#005. Sam, a rising 9th grader, lets us know what was hard about last spring, and what the silver linings were. He tells us what he thinks of his school's decision to go completely virtual, and whether he'll do the virtual musical at school. Most importantly, Sam shares with us what he's realized about choir that he never appreciated before. #ubuntu. Wanna travel with Steve Fisher and Commonwealth Youthchoirs to South Africa in 2021 - ALL EXPENSES PAID? Sign up for the Corona Choir email list at coronachoir.org. Because SOMEBODY is going to South Africa!

#004. Abington Junior High choral Director Mindy Walker has been recognized in many ways as a great music educator. She was awarded a Citation for Excellence from the Music Educators Association. She was selected to teach and learn in a South African immersion program founded by Dr. Kathy Robinson of the University of Alberta and me. But none of that is why she's Corona Choir's first ever "Greatest Choir Director." She can thank Dr. Eph Ehly and his wisdom for that. Wanna travel with Steve Fisher and Commonwealth Youthchoirs to South Africa in 2021 - ALL EXPENSES PAID? Sign up for the Corona Choir email list at coronachoir.org. Because SOMEBODY is going to South Africa! Show notes can be found at coronachoir.org as well.

#003. Spend time with Dr. Robert Sataloff, who will give his thoughts on the pandemic where he sits - right at the juncture of medicine and singing. That's right, he's a medical doctor and a choir director! He is a renowned otolaryngologist, and founder of the Thomas Jefferson University Choir, whose 50th Anniversary concert was cancelled due to the pandemic. Needless to say, Dr. Sataloff feels our pain. Wanna travel with Steve Fisher and Commonwealth Youthchoirs to South Africa in 2021 - ALL EXPENSES PAID? Sign up for the Corona Choir email list at coronachoir.org. Because SOMEBODY is going to South Africa! Show notes can be found at coronachoir.org as well.

#002. It's the start of the season choir folks! And it's always a bumpy ride, even without a pandemic. Just keep that seat belt fastened, keep breathing, be as patient with yourself as you are with your Singers, and take time for you. As ACDA Western Division Past President Kim Ritzer reminds us, "You can't pour from an empty cup." Wanna travel with Steve Fisher and Commonwealth Youthchoirs to South Africa in 2021 - all expense paid? Sign up for the Corona Choir email list at coronachoir.org. Because SOMEBODY is going to South Africa! Show notes can be found at coronachoir.org as well.

#001. Get ready for the September 7th launch of Corona Choir... what you NEED to know! In the inaugural week we'll be spending time with ACDA Western Division Past President Kim Ritzer, otolaryngologist and Choir Director Dr. Robert Sataloff, Junior High Choir Director Mindy Walker, Choir Kid and rising freshman, Sam, and Steve's good friend and fellow Choir Director Thabang Mokoena. If you join the Corona Choir email list, you will be automatically entered into a drawing to win an all-expense-paid trip with Steve and Commonwealth Youthchoirs in 2021 to the one place in the world that should be on the bucket list of every choral person... South Africa! Enter to win at coronachoir.org.