Podcasts about choral activities

Today on conduct(her) Kyra and McKenna interview Dr. Jan Taylor, who served as Associate Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at Prairie View A&M University from 1996 - 2022.

“I think during my formative years, shying away from my true self – my authentic self – that's definitely shaped how I approach being in front of choirs, using choir as a platform to really encourage kids to be themselves. I think there's a vulnerability to singing where it really is an avenue to accessing the truest parts of ourselves, and so that's kind of my life mission now that I get to be in front of choirs.”Chris Maunu is a conductor, educator, and composer dedicated to inspiring young singers and shaping the future of choral music. Based in Portland, Oregon, he serves as Artistic Director of the acclaimed Pacific Youth Choir, Affiliate Faculty at Portland State University, and Artistic Director of the professional ensemble Choro in Schola. Previously, he spent 17 years as the Director of Choral Activities at Arvada West High School in Colorado and 7 years as Co-Artistic Director of the professional Anima Chamber Ensemble. A four-time GRAMMY® Music Educator of the Year Finalist and two-time CMA® Foundation National Music Teacher of Excellence honoree, Chris is a passionate advocate for music education. Choirs under his direction have received national and international acclaim, performing at over a dozen major conferences, including National and Regional ACDA events. His ensembles have earned prestigious honors such as the American Prize in Choral Performance and the Gold Diploma at the Rimini International Choral Competition.In high demand as a guest conductor and clinician, Chris recently conducted the 2025 National 11-12 HS Honor Choir at the National ACDA Conference in Dallas, TX to great acclaim. As a composer, his award-winning works have been performed worldwide. He also serves as editor of the Pacific Youth Choir Choral Series with Pavane Publishing. An active member of NAfME and ACDA, Chris is the NWACDA Chair for Community Youth Choirs and frequently presents at both the regional and national levels. His writings appear in the Choral Journal, and he is a contributing author to A Choral Conductor's Companion.Chris holds a Master of Music degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a Bachelor of Music Education from Northern State University. Most importantly, Mr. Maunu shares his life with his beautiful wife Aleisha, and their children Bodhi and Astraea.To get in touch with Chris, you can find him on Facebook (@chris.maunu) or Instagram (@chrismaunu) or visit his website, chrismaunu.com.Email choirfampodcast@gmail.com to contact our hosts.Podcast music from Podcast.coPhoto in episode artwork by Trace Hudson

“You never know what anybody's potential is. I think about that now as a teacher, that we are expecting 17-, 18-year-olds to know what they want to do for the rest of their lives. It's so early in your life to make those decisions, and so much can change during those really formative years. I want to help them to be the best version of themselves in the field and achieve the goals that they would like to do.”Jennifer Sengin is the Raymond R. Neevel/Missouri Professor of Choral Music and Director of Choral Studies at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory (UMKC) where she leads the graduate choral conducting program and conducts the flagship ensemble, Conservatory Singers, and the Choral Union. In addition to ensembles, Dr. Sengin teaches graduate choral conducting and choral literature. In the summer of 2024, Dr. Sengin received the inaugural Newcomer Award from the Missouri Choral Directors Association.Prior to coming to UMKC, Dr. Sengin most recently served as the Associate Director of Choral Activities at Georgia State University. Under her direction, the GSU Treble Choir won first place in The American Prize and Dr. Sengin received 2nd place in conducting. The Treble Choir has been invited to perform at the National Collegiate Choral Organization Conference and twice at the Georgia Music Educators Association Conference. While at GSU, Dr. Sengin received two university-wide awards – the 2022-23 Non-Tenure Track Faculty Achievement Award and the 2021-22 GSU Instructional Effectiveness Award.An active guest conductor, clinician, adjudicator, and presenter, Dr. Sengin has conducted honor choirs throughout the country. Future engagements include guest conducting the Duruflé Requiem at Carnegie Hall with National Concerts.She recently participated as a Conducting Fellow with the American Choral Directors Association International Conductor Exchange Program to Germany where she led workshops in Hannover and Berlin. Dr. Sengin has presented sessions and served as a panelist at international, national, regional, and state conferences. In 2024, Dr. Sengin traveled to Helsinki, Finland to co-present at the International Society for Music Education World Conference. She currently serves on the National Board of the National Collegiate Choral Organization and as the Repertoire and Resource Chair for Youth and Student Activities for the ACDA Southwestern Region. She also sings in the award-winning professional ensemble, mirabai.Dr. Sengin holds degrees from The College of New Jersey (BM Music Education), Ithaca College (MM Choral Conducting), and Michigan State University (DMA Choral Conducting).To get in touch with Jennifer, you can email her at jsengin@umkc.edu.Email choirfampodcast@gmail.com to contact our hosts.Podcast music from Podcast.coPhoto in episode artwork by Trace Hudson

“One of the things we know about the brain is that information that is acquired through problem solving is more likely to be retained. I might start rehearsal by saying 'take out the piece in D major,' 'let's start in the climactic moment of the Brahms,' 'take out the piece where fire is used as a metaphor for passion.' You start with a problem, so you're already engaging neurons. This works at any age."Sharon J. Paul holds the Robert M. Trotter Chair of Music at the University of Oregon, where she currently serves as Department Head of Music Performance and Director of Choral Activities. Her teaching includes graduate courses in choral conducting, repertoire, and pedagogy, along with conducting the internationally award-winning Chamber Choir.In March 2020, Oxford University Press published Dr. Paul's book, Art & Science in the Choral Rehearsal, which features many of the creative and evidence-based teaching strategies she has cultivated over her career.The University of Oregon Chamber Choir has placed first or second in four international choral competitions, most recently winning first prize in the Chamber Choir category at the Grand Prix of Nations Competition in Gothenburg, Sweden in August 2019. The Chamber Choir became a resident ensemble of the Oregon Bach Festival in 2014, performing each summer under conductors such as Helmuth Rilling, Matthew Halls, John Nelson, Jane Glover, and Joann Falletta.University of Oregon choirs under Dr. Paul's direction have performed at the National Association for Music Education's state and divisional conferences, and at ACDA Northwestern Division conferences.Dr. Paul has presented interest sessions at regional, state, division, national, and international conferences. She appears frequently as adjudicator, clinician, teacher, and honor choir director throughout the United States and abroad. In 2019, she received Oregon ACDA's Podium Award for “outstanding contributions to the choral arts,” and in the fall of 2014 she received the University of Oregon's Fund for Faculty Excellence Award.Dr. Paul completed her DMA in Choral Conducting at Stanford University, her MFA in Conducting from UCLA, and her BA in Music from Pomona College.To get in touch with Sharon, you can email her at sjpaul@uoregon.edu or find her on Facebook (@sharon.paul.50).Email choirfampodcast@gmail.com to contact our hosts.Podcast music from Podcast.coPhoto in episode artwork by Trace HudsonPodMatchPodMatch Automatically Matches Ideal Podcast Guests and Hosts For Interviews

“In science, they're not tied to an outcome. They're open to the possibilities of what is going to result from an experiment. How freeing is that – not to be tied to a specific outcome. I've really tried to adopt that in my own personal life, the idea of just growing, learning, and being open. So many things are out of my control, so I might as well just be ready to go for the ride. I guess what I would tell young people is just equip yourself, make the best informed decision you can, then be at peace with it.”Dr. Julie Yu, an award-winning choral conductor and music educator, leads the Wanda L. Bass School of Music at Oklahoma City University as Director of Choral Activities and Canterbury Voices as Artistic Director. In these roles, she conducts and guides the acclaimed 150-voice Canterbury Voices ensemble and shapes the artistic vision of OCU's four major choirs, including the Chamber Choir and Ad Astra women's chorus. She also teaches conducting and graduate choral curriculum courses.Dr. Yu's choirs have performed at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall, the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., and internationally in Austria, Czech Republic, France, and more. She was an ACDA International Conducting Exchange Fellow to Kenya in 2019 and has led All-State choruses across the United States.A sought-after presenter, conductor, and clinician, Dr. Yu has shared her expertise at state and regional conferences of the American Choral Directors Association, National Association for Music Education, and European Music Educators Association. She is a past president of the ACDA's Southwestern Region and has been featured at events such as the International Dublin Choral Festival and European Music Educators Association Conference.Dr. Yu holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Choral Conducting from the University of North Texas, a Master's degree in Choral Conducting from Oklahoma State University, and a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Central Oklahoma.To get in touch with Julie, you can find her on Instagram (@julieyuoppenheim) or Facebook (@julie.yuoppenheim).Email choirfampodcast@gmail.com to contact our hosts.Podcast music from Podcast.coPhoto in episode artwork by Trace Hudson

Have a guest recommendation? Let us know!In this episode, Dr. Francis Cathlina, Director of Choral Activities at the University of Memphis, joins us to discuss multiple techniques for improving your choir's tone and the importance of understanding the physical workings of your instrument - whether it's your voice or something else!Download the show notes for this episode HERE.Connect with Dr. Cathlina!Website: https://www.franciscathlina.com/Email: franciscathlina@gmail.comYour Voice: An Inside View 3 (Vocal Pedagogy Book): https://www.amazon.com/Your-Voice-Inside-View-3rd/dp/1733506012Follow the University of Memphis Choral ProgramWebsite: https://www.memphis.edu/music/ensembles/university-singers.phpPerformance Recordings: https://www.franciscathlina.com/performancesFollow our official Instagram page and become a part of the community!Browse Kara's TPT Store!Want a free piece of music for your ensemble to perform? Join Christian's mailing list!https://www.christianfortnermusic.com/mailings

Tim previews Christmas at Monmouth College on the WRAM Morning Show.

Have a guest recommendation? Let us know!This week, we have Dr. Chris Rosborough, Director of Choral Activities at Howard Payne University joins us on the show to discuss how Lessons and Carols services can fit into any church's holiday schedule. We also talk about the necessity to innovate in a variety of circumstances - including only having a small number of musicians in your ensemble.Download the show notes for this episode HERE.TCDA 2024 "We're Not in Cambridge Anymore" Resource Folder (courtesy of Chris Rosborough and Travis Lowery): https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/12sxwtIH9pQCvCGUiz1PoH2DlERnD-sz1Follow our official Instagram page and become a part of the community!Browse Kara's TPT Store!Connect with the HPU Choir:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hpuchoirs1/Wesbite: https://www.hputx.edu/academics/schools/school-of-music-fine-arts/school-of-music-fine-arts-departments/department-music/Want a free piece of music for your ensemble to perform? Join Christian's mailing list!https://www.christianfortnermusic.com/mailings

Dr. Rick Hoffenberg, Associate Professor, Director of Choral Activities and Co-Chair of the Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance at Marywood University in Scranton, speaking about the fall concert presented by the Marywood Chamber Singers on Sunday, November 24, 2024, in the Marian Chapel on the Marywood campus in Scranton.  The program will feature a wide range of composers from Thomas Weelkes to Lucy Walker, and admission is free. www.marywood.edu/academics/mtd

“I don't have a sound that I'm trying to make the choir fit into. I'm trying to understand and uncover the palette of sounds that are in front of me and then expand our sense of what we can sound like. This happens through the community building process, because the more we honor each individual and allow them to bring themselves into that rehearsal space, then the fuller and richer we are.”Dr. Joel Tranquilla (he/him/his) is a conductor and music educator noted for his versatile musicianship and creative programming. Originally from Fredericton, Joel is thrilled to have returned home to assume the position of Artistic Director of the Halifax Camerata Singers and Chorus Master of Symphony Nova Scotia. Formative choral experiences include touring with the American Boychoir as a boy soprano and singing as a member of the Nova Scotia and National Youth Choirs. He holds degrees from Mount Allison University, the University of Michigan, and Michigan State University where his doctoral research was in the area of Canadian choral-orchestral works.Joel relocated to Nova Scotia in 2023 after spending nine years as the Director of Choral Activities at Trinity Western University in Langley, BC, where he oversaw a program of six choirs and taught various courses within the School of the Arts, Media and Culture. Joel led the TWU Chamber Choir on tours to Ottawa, New York City, China, Hong Kong, Japan, and Taiwan. In addition to his work at TWU, Joel served as the Artistic Director of the Valley Festival Singers in Abbotsford and was the conductor of the award-winning Coastal Sound Youth Choir in Coquitlam. A singing member of the Canadian Chamber Choir since 2007, he was named the ensemble's Associate Conductor in 2013. As such, he contributes to the programming and long-term artistic visioning of that organization. Prior to his time on the West Coast, Joel lived and worked in Windsor, Ontario, serving as the conductor of several local ensembles including the Windsor Symphony Orchestra Chorus. In high demand as an adjudicator and clinician across the country, Joel is a past Guest Conductor of the New Brunswick Youth Choir and the Manitoba Provincial Honour Choir, and was the Assistant Conductor of the 2012 National Youth Choir.Major works conducted include Poulenc's Gloria, Vaughan Williams' Hodie, Ramirez's Navidad nuestra, Mendelssohn's St. Paul, Handel's Alexander's Feast, Requiems by Fauré and Duruflé, Bach's St. John Passion, and Allan Bevan's oratorio Nou Goth Sonne Under Wode. In spring 2023, Joel conducted the premiere of a new oratorio by David Squires and made his Carnegie Hall debut in a program featuring Vaughan Williams' Five Mystical Songs. Joel believes in the power of choral music to build and strengthen community. His wife, Meghan is an audiologist, and they have three precocious children: Everett, Penelope, and Felix.To get in touch with Joel, you can visit the Halifax Camerata Singers website at halifaxcamerata.org or find them on Facebook (@HalifaxCamerataSingers) or Instagram (@halifaxcameratasingers). You can also find the Canadian Chamber Choir at their website canadianchamberchoir.ca, on Facebook (@CanadianChamberChoir) or Instagram (@canadianchamberchoir).Email choirfampodcast@gmail.com to contact our hosts.Podcast music from Podcast.coPhoto in episode artwork by Trace Hudson

“When people talk about what skills kids are lacking in America these days, two of the skills that come up a lot are the ability to listen to each other and have some empathy for each other. Some people would say it's not just kids that are lacking those skills; it might be what is really missing from our society. I think choir is the best subject to teach those skills.”Hailed by The Oregonian for providing “the finest choral concerts in Portland in recent memory,” Ethan Sperry is the Director of Choral Activities at Portland State University, where he conducts the world-renowned Chamber Choir and leads undergraduate and graduate programs in conducting. He is also the Artistic Director and Conductor of the Oregon Repertory Singers, one of America's most distinguished adult choruses. Choirs under his direction have performed at over a dozen ACDA and NAfME Conferences, won over thirty awards and medals at international choir competitions on four continents, and sung at The Hollywood Bowl, The Kennedy Center, and the United Nations. Under his direction in 2013 The Portland State Chamber Choir became the first American Choir ever to win the Grand Prix at the Seghizzi International Choral Contest in Italy, and in 2017 they became the first American choir to win the Grand Prix at the Bali International Choral Festival, the largest choral gathering in Asia. Sperry has recorded albums for the Naxos and Gothic labels. A prolific arranger of World Music for choirs, Dr. Sperry is the editor of the Global Rhythms series for Earthsongs Music, one of the best-selling choral series in the world, and is also published by Hal Leonard. Sperry is also a frequent collaborator with film composer AR Rahman and has appeared as a guest conductor for him numerous times including at Bollywood Night at the Hollywood Bowl and the 2008 Filmfare Awards, the Indian equivalent of the Oscars. He also serves as a consultant for the KM Music Conservatory in Chennai, the first classical music school in India, which opened in 2009.He has earned a bachelor's degree in Philosophy from Harvard College and Masters and Doctoral degrees in Choral Conducting from the University of Southern California. Prior to moving to Oregon, Sperry served for 10 years on the faculty of Miami University in Ohio where he conducted the Men's Glee Club, Collegiate Chorale, and Global Rhythms Ensemble. He has also served as Artistic Administrator of the Arad Philharmonic Chorus in Romania and Conductor of the Coeur Regional de Guadeloupe, the only Symphonic Chorus in the French West Indies.To get in touch with Ethan, you can email him at ethansperry@gmail.com. You can find the Portland State University Chamber Choir on Facebook (@psuchamberchoir), Instagram (@psuchamberchoir), or Tiktok (@psuchamberchoir), and you can find the Oregon Repertory Singers on Facebook (@OregonRepertorySingers) or Instagram (@orsingers). Email choirfampodcast@gmail.com to contact our hosts.Podcast music from Podcast.coPhoto in episode artwork by Trace Hudson

Tim discusses the upcoming Choir Concert at Dahl Chapel October 19th, plus wind ensemble and Christmas at Monmouth events, and more on the WRAM Morning Show.

Marking the 10-year anniversary of when 43 Ayotzinapa Rural Teachers College students disappeared southwest of Mexico City, Utah Tech University is commemorating the victims' lives with Remember the 43 Students art installations and campus engagement events. Our guests are composer and musician Andres Solis, and Scot Hanna-Weir, Associate Professor and Director of Choral Activities at Santa Clara University.

What'sHerName goes live! To launch our new book, What's Her Name, A History of the World in 80 Lost Women, former episode guests convene in London from all over the world for a Night of Celebration! In rapid-fire succession, brilliant 3-minute performances of poetry, song, story and dance take us chronologically through the history of the world. The magic is punctuated throughout with short readings by Katie and Olivia from the new book. The packed house at the Vagina Museum, with the most enthusiastic audience, made for a heartwarming night we'll never forget! Guest Performers in order of appearance: Introduction and reading by GABBY NEMETH, Senior Editor at Michael O'Mara Books Musician and composer SAM HENDERSON (our little brother!) performing the world's oldest written song, the Seikolos Epitaph Chemist and poet KIRK STAPLEY, reading his poem "Naia" SISTER RITA MINEHAN, Brigidine Sister and founding member of the Solas Bhríde Centre, reading St. Brigid's Lake of Beer Prayer GABO CEMÉ, founder of Eco Maya Travel and Wild Animal Sanctuary, telling the story of Zazil-Ha Westminster Abbey's AARON PATERSON, reading the 17th century petitions and receipts of Elizabeth Gregory, Head Carpenter of the Abbey Award-winning Pakistani singer-songwriter and Bollywood music director ZEB BANGASH performing Roshe, a love poem by 16th century Persian mystic Habba Khatun Professor WALEED ZIAD of the Department of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina, telling the story of 19th century Sufi mystic Dadi Mithan IAN MORTIMER, bestselling author of more than twenty books on the history of England, reflects on the life of Harriot Mellon Composer JESSICA WADLEY performing her original song "Mount Florence" about Yosemite adventurer Florence Hutchings Dancer and choreographer JANET COLLARD performing her interpretation of 1920s cabaret dancer Valeska Gert's infamous "prostitute dance," Canaille. KIP WILSON reading from her novel-in-verse One Last Shot, about Spanish Civil War photojournalist Gerda Taro NIKKI DRUCE, host of the Macabre London podcast, recreates the final seance of Helen Duncan, Britain's last convicted witch Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter NEYLA PEKAREK, formerly of The Lumineers, performs "I Want Everything" from her 2022 musical Rattlesnake Kate SOPHIE POLDERMANS, author of Seducing and Killing Nazis, telling the story of Truus and Freddie Oversteegen and Hannie Schaft Composer and musician Erica Glenn, Director of Choral Activities at BYU - Hawaii, performing an Art Song by Ukranian composer Stefania Turkevych Historian PAM TOLER tells the story of anti-fascist war correspondent Sigrid Schultz, from her forthcoming book The Dragon from Chicago Art Historian MONICA WALKER, Events Manager at the Old Operating Theater Museum, performs a bellydance in honor of Samia Gamal of Egypt Artist, designer, and illustrator ELLA KASPEROWICZ, illustrator of our second book A Stinky History of Toilets, whose whimsical illustrations brighten the future of the world Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“I have fallen deeply in love with looking at a piece, seeing what it is, and realizing that there are no real absolutes in music. There are no rules. You have to look at each piece of music for what it is and consider it in its historical and cultural context and then find out enough about the composer. It feels like a journey, a rabbit hole that go down.”Dr. Elizabeth Schauer serves as Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at the University of Arizona, where she is in her twentieth year of teaching. An award-winning educator, Dr. Schauer directs the Symphonic Choir and teaches graduate courses in conducting and choral literature. In addition, she served as Chancel Choir director at St. Mark's United Methodist Church. She came to the University of Arizona following ten years as Director of Choral Activities at Adams State College in Colorado.  Dr. Schauer is in demand as an adjudicator, clinician, presenter and guest conductor throughout the United States, including recently for performances at Carnegie Hall and with Georgia, Connecticut and New Mexico All-State Choirs.  Choirs under her direction have been selected by audition and invited to perform on local, state and regional conferences of American Choral Directors Association, National Association for Music Education, College Music Society, and American Guild of Organists.  In addition her choirs have been featured on the ACDA National YouTube Channel and the Community Concert Series of KUAT-FM Classical Radio, and are regularly invited to collaborate, notably with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, Arizona Symphony and the UA Wind Ensemble. She has presented sessions at the national conventions of American Choral Directors Association, Presbyterian Association of Musicians, and College Music Society; regional conferences of ACDA, and state conferences of ACDA and National Association for Music Education. Dr. Schauer holds degrees from University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Westminster Choir College, and University of Michigan.To get in touch with Betsy, you can find her on Facebook: @betsy.schauer.9. You can find more about the University of Arizona choral program on Facebook (@uarizonachoirs) or Instagram (@uarizonachoirs) or visit their website: choral.music.arizona.edu, where you can find their Distinguished Speakers Series and discover more information about the DEI Choral Literature Intensive.Choir Fam wants to hear from you! Check out the Minisode Intro Part 3 episode from February 16, 2024, to hear how to share your story with us.Email choirfampodcast@gmail.com to contact our hosts.Podcast music from Podcast.coPhoto in episode artwork by Trace Hudson

“I grew up thinking that we should sound like the music we're singing. There was never one right way for me. There are those great choral traditions where they sing everything a certain way. I never wanted to be that way. We can do seven different pieces in seven entirely different styles. You would think, 'is that the same choir?' That's something that my choirs take seriously.”Recipient of the President's Award from the California Music Educators Association honoring "extraordinary accomplishments in music education," Dr. Jonathan Talberg serves as Director of Choral Activities at the Bob Cole Conservatory, where he is conductor of the international award-winning Bob Cole Conservatory Chamber Choir and the CSULB University Choir. Recent career highlights include leading the Chamber Choir to first place at the Austrian Spittal International Choir Festival and the "Choir of the World" competition in Wales. Additionally, he and the choir have performed with groups as diverse as the Kronos Quartet, the Los Angeles Master Chorale, the Pacific Symphony and the Rolling Stones.A passionate advocate for choral music education, Dr. Talberg is regularly engaged to conduct honor choirs across the US, including numerous all-state choruses, and Music Education conference choirs. His choirs have performed in venues throughout Europe and Asia.A past-president of the California Choral Directors Association, he serves as an editor at Pavane Music Publishing, where a choral series dedicated to outstanding quality, collegiate-level music is published under his name. Of the many hats he wears each day, the one he is most proud of is mentor to the next generation of choral musicians. Alumni of the Bob Cole Conservatory Choral Studies program are teaching at elementary, middle and high schools, churches, community colleges and four-year universities throughout the country. Scores of alumni are professional singers and/or currently earning—or have finished—their doctorates at some of the finest institutions in the country.Dr. Talberg received his BM from Chapman University, his MM and DMA from the University of Cincinnati's College-Conservatory of Music and completed a postdoctoral fellowship with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Pops, and the May Festival Chorus. To get in touch with Jonathan, you can email him at jonathan.talberg@csulb.edu or find him on Instagram: @jonathantalberg .Choir Fam wants to hear from you! Check out the Minisode Intro Part 3 episode from February 16, 2024, to hear how to share your story with us.Email choirfampodcast@gmail.com to contact our hosts.Podcast music from Podcast.coPhoto in episode artwork by Trace Hudson

“I've really enjoyed getting into classrooms to affirm my colleagues. I seek whenever I do a visit to say something that is both positive and true. I could just be positive, but if it's not truthful, students can sense that. I've really enjoyed getting to bop in, see great teaching in action, and affirm my colleagues in front of their students.”Dr. Brett D. Epperson is Director of Choral Activities and Assistant Professor of Music at Hastings College. He directs the Hastings College Choir and teaches courses in conducting, vocal pedagogy, diction and studio voice. Brett also serves as director of the adult Chancel Choir at First Presbyterian Church of Hastings.Prior to his career in higher education, Brett was a public school music educator for nearly a decade. Epperson led choral programs at Yutan Public Schools (Nebraska), Jefferson High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and East High School in Lincoln, Nebraska. Under his leadership at Lincoln East, the choral program tripled in enrollment, East Singers was selected as a featured concert choir at the Nebraska Music Educators Association Conference and Epperson was the recipient of a Lincoln Public Schools Inspire Award for implementing an Adaptive Music program. Epperson has also served as a graduate assistant within the College of Music at Florida State University, was an adjunct instructor of voice at Doane University (Nebraska), and is a previous Artistic Director-Conductor of the Lincoln Lutheran Choir.Dr. Epperson is active as a guest conductor, clinician, adjudicator and collaborative keyboardist, with appearances across the United States, the Caribbean and Europe. In June 2023, Epperson traveled to Nairobi, Kenya, where he was a featured conductor as part of AVoice4Peace choral festival. As a vocalist, he has sung with Grammy-nominated choral ensembles and has been a featured soloist in choral-orchestral performances across the Midwest and South. Galaxy Music Corporation released his first published composition in 2022.Brett earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from Michigan State University, and the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Music Education-Choral Conducting from Florida State University.To get in touch with Brett, you can find him on Facebook (@brettdepperson) or Instagram (@brettdepperson).Choir Fam wants to hear from you! Check out the Minisode Intro Part 3 episode from February 16, 2024, to hear how to share your story with us.Email choirfampodcast@gmail.com to contact our hosts.Podcast music from Podcast.coPhoto in episode artwork by Trace Hudson

"Choral programs don't exist in a vacuum. They exist in a place, and they exist in a place that serves a people. That people group is always bigger than choir. The first thing that you've gotta do is answer the question, 'how are my people, how is my place going to be served by choral music?' and then build that. You've gotta build that one step at a time."Joshua Cheney, a native of Fayetteville, North Carolina, is the Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at Gardner-Webb University in Boiling Springs, North Carolina. He is responsible for the leadership and administration of GWU Choirs, to include the direction of Concert Choir, Men's Chorale, Handbell Ensemble, and the Worship Ensemble. Joshua also teaches courses in conducting, voice, and guitar.In addition to his work in teaching, Joshua currently serves as the Interim Music Minister for the First Baptist Church of Asheville, North Carolina. In this role he participates in worship planning and leads the Adult Choir in rehearsal and worship. Joshua is an active performer and has sung professionally with the North Carolina Master Chorale Chamber Choir, Bel Canto Company, the Red Shift Choir, and Coro Vocati. Joshua is a regular clinician, adjudicator, and presenter, having directed honor choirs, adjudicated choral festivals, and given lectures at professional conferences throughout the South. Previous appointments include service as the Assistant Professor of Choral Music at Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee, the Assistant Director of Music and Worship at the First United Methodist Church of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the Choral Music Educator at John M. Morehead High School in Eden, North Carolina, and the Choral Music Educator at Harnett Central Middle School in Angier, North Carolina.Joshua holds the B.A. in Music Education from Campbell University, the M.M. in Choral Conducting and Church Music from Mercer University, and the D.M.A. in Choral Conducting from Louisiana State University. Joshua is married to Rebekah Cheney, who serves as the Director of Annual Giving at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, North Carolina. Joshua and Rebekah reside in Asheville, North Carolina.To get in touch with Joshua, you can find him on Instagram (@jcheneyconductor or @gardnerwebbchoirs) or email him at mailto:jcheney1@gardner-webb.edu .Choir Fam wants to hear from you! Check out the Minisode Intro Part 3 episode from February 16, 2024, to hear how to share your story with us.Email choirfampodcast@gmail.com to contact our hosts.Podcast music from Podcast.coPhoto in episode artwork by Trace Hudson

On this week's episode, host Allison Donahue welcomes Austin McWilliams, Choir Director at Fountain Street Church in Grand Rapids. Austin also serves as the Director of Choral Activities at Aquinas College and is the conductor of an upcoming performance at Fountain Street Church: The Bernstein Mass: A Theatre Piece for Singers, Players, and Dancers. The Bernstein Mass is being presented by the Fountain St. Church Oratorio Choir on April 27, 2024. Online: The Bernstein Mass: A Theatre Piece for Singers, Players, and Dancers.

Ronald A. Matthews joined Eastern University in 1992 and was appointed the 10th President of Eastern University effective March 1, 2018. Prior to this call, Dr. Matthews served as Professor of Music, Chair of the Music Department, and since 2010, Executive Director of the Fine and Performing Arts Division. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Dr. Matthews graduated from Central High School. Having received a Philadelphia Board of Education music scholarship, he did his undergraduate work in Church Music and Organ at Westminster Choir College where he graduated magna cum laude and received both the Senior Class Conducting Award and the Christian Leadership Award. Dr. Matthews received the Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from Temple University, during which time he was invited to conduct the Jerusalem Chamber Orchestra for a recording project in Tel Aviv. At the age of 23, Dr. Matthews was invited to join the faculty of Nyack College as the Director of Choral Activities. He received his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Combs College of Music in Composition with an emphasis in Orchestral Conducting. From 1982-1992, Dr. Matthews was the Chair of the Department of Music at what is now Cairn University. For several years, he was a Thomas F. Staley Foundation lecturer/artist and served on professional and denominational boards and task forces. From 2005 until 2018, he was the Pastor of Worship Arts at Church of the Saviour in Wayne, PA. Dr. Matthews has conducted, recorded, and performed in France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Switzerland and the Vatican. He is a commissioned and published composer. He has performed and recorded regularly with his younger brother, Rev. Dr. Gary Matthews, in concerts and workshops throughout the United States and internationally. His older brother, Dr. John T. Matthews, is Professor of English at Boston University. Dr. Matthews' most recent release is a jazz piano Christmas recording, Holly and Ivory. Dr. Matthews is married to Pamela R. Matthews, who was raised in Oreland, PA and graduated from Springfield High School. She graduated from Chestnut Hill Hospital's School of Radiologic Technology. Mrs. Matthews is a registered Ultrasonographer and received her training in Ultrasonography from Jefferson University and Chestnut Hill Hospital. For over thirty years she worked in Obstetrics and Gynecology with Abington Hospital - Jefferson Health until 2017. She served as the President of the Home and School Association for the Upper Moreland Round Meadow Elementary School during which she raised funds for new playground equipment. For the Middle School, she organized a campaign resulting in the purchase of a new grand piano for the music program. Mrs. Matthews is an avid tennis player and is also interested in charitable and mission work. She has organized fundraising projects for Haiti and the Cherokee Indians in Cherokee, NC, and she has traveled to Cartagena, Colombia on a sports mission trip. Dr. and Mrs. Matthews have two adult sons.  

“Contemporary commercial music is closer to the students' everyday musical culture. There's that component of culturally relevant pedagogy that both show choir and vocal jazz meet. They are a bit more naturally motivating to a majority of students, and we honor the musical culture of the United States and our popular styles from the last 100 years when we teach these things."Ryan Deignan is Assistant Professor and Director of Choral Activities at the University of Minnesota Duluth where he leads the flagship University Singers and the award-winning vocal jazz ensemble Lake Effect and teaches voice lessons, ear training, and vocal pedagogy. Deignan is the Artistic Director of the Twin Ports Choral Project and was a fellow at the 2022 Baylor International Choral Conducting Masterclass.In addition to teaching and conducting, Deignan performs as a professional vocalist. He performed with the Madison Choral Project in 2023 and sang with the new Baton Rouge choir Red Shift in their 2020 Southern ACDA performance, where he also served as tenor soloist. Deignan sang with Dallas' Orpheus Chamber Singers and Dallas Bach Society, and community choir Denton Bach Society as tenor soloist for their performance of Rossini's Petite Messe Solennelle.At the high school level, Deignan was Director of Choirs for the West Des Moines Valley High School choral program of 350 students, seven traditional choirs, two show choirs, and four jazz choirs. Under his direction, Valley Singers performed at the 2016 North Central ACDA Convention in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Prior to West Des Moines, Deignan was Associate Director of Vocal Music at Cedar Rapids Washington High School where he led a Slice of Jazz to the 2012 Iowa Vocal Jazz Championship.Deignan holds a BA in Vocal Performance from Luther College, an MA in Music Education from the University of Iowa and DMA in Choral Studies with a cognate field in Vocal Pedagogy from the University of North Texas.To get in touch with Ryan, you can email him at rpdeignan@gmail.com or find him on Facebook (@rdeignan) or Instagram (@rpdeignan).Choir Fam wants to hear from you! Check out the Minisode Intro Part 3 episode from February 16, 2024, to hear how to share your story with us.Email choirfampodcast@gmail.com to contact our hosts.Podcast music from Podcast.coPhoto in episode artwork by Trace Hudson

Joshua Harper, Director of Choral Activities and Assistant Professor of Choral Conducting and Applied Voice at Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, speaking about a program titled, "Shining Light: A Hymn to the Sun," to be performed by the Choral Society of Northeast Pennsylvania on Sunday, March 10, 2024 at 4:00 pm at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 35 South Franklin Street, in downtown Wilkes-Barre. Admission is free. For more information: www.choralsociety.net/

In this episode of Voices of Renewal, guest host Dr. Joan Pi, Assistant Professor and Director of Choral Activities at Regent University, speaks with Dr. Melanie Ross on the topic of “Renewing Evangelical Worship”. Dr. Ross is an Associate Professor of Liturgical Studies at Yale Divinity School and the author of Evangelical Worship: An American Mosaic (Oxford University Press, 2021). Join us for an engaging conversation on the history, nature, and renewal of evangelical worship today. 

“So many people view conducting as a reflection of the music, and if that works for them, that's great. I view conducting as a reflection of the movement. Undergrads aren't always predisposed to musical language, but they are already predisposed to the language that Laban uses: time, space, weight, flow. Instead of saying 'that's not marcato enough,' you could instead say 'that's not heavy enough' or ‘direct enough.' That's language that we're already familiar with as people.”Dr. Eric Rubinstein is Director of Choral Activities and Assistant Professor of Music at Nazareth University, where he directs the Chamber Singers and Treble Choir and teaches additional coursework in conducting and music education. Prior to his appointment at Nazareth, Dr. Rubinstein served as Assistant Professor of Choral Music Education at the Aaron Copland School of Music, Queens College (CUNY).Ensembles under his direction have been recognized across New York and New England for performances of the highest artistic caliber. Program highlights with the Nazareth Chamber Singers include a performance tour of Poland, a year-long partnership with Nazareth's Department of Theatre and Dance, and an invited performance at the 2023 NYSSMA Winter Conference. Dr. Rubinstein led the Queens College Treble Choir to invited performances at the 2022 ACDA Eastern Division Conference in Boston, MA and as the demonstration choir for the 2019 NYSSMA Winter Conference conducting masterclass. The Treble Choir was also honored in 2022 by The American Prize.As a secondary school choral director, Dr. Rubinstein amassed a decade of high school teaching in Monticello and Westhampton Beach, NY, where he concurrently served on the music education faculty at CUNY Brooklyn College. Under his direction, the choirs were honored to perform at Carnegie Hall, Chautauqua Institute, and abroad, and were featured at the 2015 NY-ACDA Conference at the Eastman School of Music. Dr. Rubinstein has also served on the artistic faculty for the New York State Summer School of the Arts, and remains active as a guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator for various choral festivals and conferences.Dr. Rubinstein is a member of NAfME and ACDA, where he also serves as a New York- ACDA Repertoire & Resources co-chair for LGBTQIA+ Choral Music. He holds Choral Conducting and Music Education degrees from Louisiana State University (D.M.A), Michigan State University (M.M.), and SUNY Fredonia (B.M.).To get in touch with Eric, you can email him at erubins6@naz.edu or find him on Facebook: https://facebook.com/erubinstein .Choir Fam wants to hear from you! Check out the Minisode Intro Part 2 episode from May 22, 2023, to hear how to share your story with us.Email choirfampodcast@gmail.com to contact our hosts.Podcast music from Podcast.coPhoto in episode artwork by Trace Hudson

Christopher Clark, Director of Choral Activities at Case Western Reserve University, discusses how parent involvement helped him build a thriving choral music program in a small town school district. He shares successful advocacy strategies along with ways to cultivate children's love of singing. Dr. Lisa Huisman Koops's book, Parenting Musically 

This episode features an interview with the soon to be retiring Director of Choral Activities, Bruce Rogers. Bruce directs Mt. San Antonio College's award-winning Chamber Singers and the elite vocal jazz ensemble, Singcopation. He was honored this year by the National Collegiate Choral Organization (NCCO) with their Lifetime Achievement Award. This episode also features a captured recording of White Christmas by the Mt. SAC ensemble chamber singers, so stay tuned until the end!   Resources: Music Department: https://www.mtsac.edu/music/index-2.html Audition information: https://www.mtsac.edu/music/audition_info/index-1.html Mt. SAC Chamber Singers: https://www.mtsac.edu/music/ensembles/chamber-singers.html Singcopation: https://www.mtsac.edu/music/ensembles/singcopation.html Golden Notes: https://www.mtsac.edu/music/goldennotes.html Bruce Rogers bio: https://www.mtsac.edu/music/staff/bruce-rogers.html   Run time: 23:49 min To find the full transcript for this episode, click HERE

THE HOLIDAY SEASON IS HERE! Come see the Pepperdine Choir and Orchestra present their annual Christmas concert on Thursday, December 7 at 7:30pm in Smothers Theatre. They'll be performing timeless holiday tunes and selections from the classical repertoire.  I sat down with Dr. Ryan Board, Director of Choral Activities at Pepperdine, and discussed the joys and challenges of preparing students for this event. This show is sold out, but will be livestreamed here: https://arts.pepperdine.edu/events/2023-2024-season/mus-christmas-choir-orch.htm More information about the Center for the Arts at Pepperdine University can be found at https://arts.pepperdine.edu/ Music by Nolan Harvel

Welcome to Season 03 Episode 06 - the "Sausage Stuffing" edition - of Notes from the Aisle Seat, the podcast featuring news and information about the arts in northern Chautauqua County NY, sponsored by the 1891 Fredonia Opera House. Your host is Tom Loughlin, SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor and Chair Emeritus of Theatre and Dance at SUNY Fredonia. Guests on this episode include Ms. Ashley Giaccio and Ms. Alexa Adler, who are the playwright and director respectively of the Walter Gloor Mainstage production of Mason Wright is Not a Mother; Dr. Vernon Huff, Director of Choral Activities at SUNY Fredonia on the upcoming holiday choral concert; and Mr. Jefferson Westwood, Director of the Rockefeller Arts Center, discussing his holiday offerings for the season.  Special note: if you cannot afford the price of a ticket for either of the two Rockefeller Art center presentations, please call the Campus Box Office at 716-673-3501 and mention the Dallas K. Beal foundation. You will be offered a free ticket for that event! Notes from the Aisle Seat is available from most of your favorite podcast sites, including Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Stitcher, Spotify, and Amazon Prime Music, as well as on the Opera House YouTube Channel. If you enjoy this podcast, please spread the word through your social media feeds, give us a link on your website, and consider becoming a follower by clicking the "Follow" button in the upper right-hand corner of our home page. If you have an arts event you'd like to publicize, hit us up at operahouse@fredopera.org and let us know what you have! Please give us at least one month's notice to facilitate timely scheduling. Thanks for listening! Time Stamps: Ashley Giaccio/Alexa Adler Mason Wright  02:13 Vernon Huff Holiday Choral Concert  23:04 Arts Calendar 37:54 Jefferson Westwood Frosty/Christmas Pops 39:56 Media: Bread and Gravy, performed by Martha Davis, Hoagy Carmichael, composer, feb. 1947 See Dat Babe, African American spiritual, arranged by Stacey Gibbs, performed by the Jamaica Youth Chorale, 2021 Autumn Leaves, composed by Joseph Kosma 1945, performed by Vince Guaraldi, from the album The Definitive Vince Guaraldi, 1958 Carol of the Bells, Ukrainian Christmas carol, written by Mykola Leontovych, 1919; English adaptation by Peter J. Wilhousky, 1936; performed by River City Brass, Nov. 22, 2021 Joh F. Kennedy's Inaugural Address, January 20, 1961, recorded by CBS News Abraham, Martin, and John, written by Dick Holler 1968; performed by Dion, August 1968. September Song, composed by Kurt Weil, lyrics by Maxwell Anderson, Sept. 1938; recorded by Dizzy Gillespie, from the album Dizzy Gillespie's Big Four, September 1975 Artist Links: Alexa Adler/Ashley Giaccio Dr. Vernon Huff Mr. Jefferson Westwood      

This is the second part of our interview with Dr. Frank Eychaner, Director of Choral Activities at the University of Central Arkansas. Frank discusses ways that music educators can continue to renew themselves and take the right steps toward staying mentally and physically healthy.SHOW NOTES:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YN5d9JsMyLhfWAAqFzbLtsp9GTcaozJH/view?usp=sharingConnect with Frank and the UCA ChoirsEmail: feychaner@uca.eduWebsite: https://uca.edu/music/choir/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MusicUCA/Listen to the UTPB choir perform "Shockachi!"https://youtu.be/EcRDWBJQjR0?si=vt4plizcEzLCYgrFWant a free piece of music for your ensemble to perform? Join Christian's mailing list!https://www.christianfortnermusic.com/mailings

Composer Steven Sametz, Ronald J. Ulrich Professor of Music, and Hana J. Cai, Associate Director of Choral Activities, at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, speaking about the opening concert of the 2023-24 season of Lehigh Choral Arts with a program titled, "Sacred & Profane," on October 21 at 8:00 pm and October 22 at 4:00 pm, at the Zoellner Arts Center on the Lehigh campus. www.lehigh.edu/

Composer Steven Sametz, Ronald J. Ulrich Professor of Music, and Hana J. Cai, Associate Director of Choral Activities, at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, speaking about the opening concert of the 2023-24 season of Lehigh Choral Arts with a program titled, "Sacred & Profane," on October 21 at 8:00 pm and October 22 at 4:00 pm, at the Zoellner Arts Center on the Lehigh campus. www.lehigh.edu/

Enjoy the first part of our interview with Dr. Frank Eychaner, who is the Director of Choral Activities at the University of Central Arkansas. In this episode, Frank talks about how music directors can have mental and emotional sustainability in our jobs - even after years and years of experience (and therefore, exhaustion). This is a great episode for those who are unsure if they want to keep pursuing music education!SHOW NOTES: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IHliqPmNLftoHMYK_yTstM-HIsoMflo6/view?usp=sharingConnect with Frank and the UCA ChoirsEmail: feychaner@uca.eduWebsite: https://uca.edu/music/choir/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MusicUCA/Listen to the UTPB choir perform "Shockachi!"https://youtu.be/EcRDWBJQjR0?si=vt4plizcEzLCYgrFWant a free piece of music for your ensemble to perform? Join Christian's mailing list!https://www.christianfortnermusic.com/mailings

“It's powerful to see [the Dallas Street Choir] perform. It's powerful to see the invisible become visible. Both the audience reaction to take an invisible, isolated population and see them for the very first time in many ways, but it's also powerful for them to be seen.”Jonathan Palant is Associate Dean of the Arts and Director of Choral Activities at the University of Texas at Dallas and is founder and conductor of the Credo Community Choir, a 140-member adult mixed choir, and the Dallas Street Choir, a musical outlet for those affected by homelessness. In addition, Dr. Palant is Director of Music at Kessler Park United Methodist Church, and is employed by the Dallas Independent School District to mentor middle and high school vocal music teachers.From 2007-2011, he served as Artistic Director of Dallas' Turtle Creek Chorale. Prior to that, Palant held collegiate teaching positions at Western Kentucky University and Madonna University in Livonia, Michigan. He taught secondary choral music at University School, an all-boys independent school in Cleveland, Ohio, and San Pasqual High School in Escondido, California.Dr. Palant currently serves as president of the National Alliance for Music In Vulnerable Communities, Repertoire and Standards Chair for the Southwest American Choral Directors Association (SWACDA), and sits on the board of directors of the Intercollegiate Men's Choruses. He has also served on the state board of the Michigan chapter of the American Choral Directors Association and Youth First Texas where he was founder and conductor of Dallas PUMP!, a choir serving at-risk youth.Dr. Palant holds degrees from Michigan State University, Temple University and the University of Michigan.Both Palant's book, Brothers, Sing On! Conducting the Tenor-Bass Choir and Brothers, Sing On! The Jonathan Palant Choral Series are published by Hal Leonard.To get in touch with Jonathan, you can email him at jonathanpalant@gmail.com or find him on Facebook (@jpalant).Choir Fam wants to hear from you! Check out the Minisode Intro Part 2 episode from May 22, 2023, to hear how to share your story with us. Email choirfampodcast@gmail.com to contact our hosts.Podcast music from Podcast.coPhoto in episode artwork by Trace Hudson

Margaret (Maggie) Burk is a conductor, choral singer, and composer dedicated to the transformative power of choral music. She is the recently-appointed Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsion. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/conducther/support

Today on conduct(her) McKenna & Kyra interview Dr. Kathy Romey. Dr. Romey is the Director of Choral Activities at the University of Minnesota where she oversees the graduate program in choral conducting and conducts choirs. She is also the Artistic Director of the 200-voice symphonic chorus, The Minnesota Chorale. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/conducther/support

Welcome to conduct(her.) We are so excited to have Pingyi Song on with us today.  Today on conduct(her), McKenna & Kyra interview Dr. Pingyi Song. Song is a music faculty at McCall School of Visual & Performing Art and serves as the Director of Choral Activities at Coker University. Song is an active conductor, clinician, music educator, and choral director for multiple professional, collegiate, community, church, and children's choirs in both the United States and China. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/conducther/support

Dr. Jeff Goolsby, Director of Choral Activities at Abilene Christian University, joins us to discuss how he came to be a choir director and how he takes many different avenues to create a unique concert experience. We no longer live in an age where being expected to sit down, “shut up,” and listen to live music is appealing to the average audience member. This does not mean that we should abandon the traditional concert experience, but we must be open to opportunities of innovation in order to appeal to individuals unfamiliar with the art. SHOW NOTES: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bU_9C1tznDscT9KSJeaaN_L4diO72ptW/view?usp=sharingFollow the ACU Choir on Social Media!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acuchoirs/?hl=enFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AcuChoirs/Learn more about the ACU School of Music: https://acu.edu/academics/arts-humanities-social-sciences/music/Want a free piece of music for your ensemble to perform? Join Christian's mailing list!https://www.christianfortnermusic.com/mailings

Today on conduct(her), McKenna & Kyra interview Dr. Carole Ott Coelho. Coelho is the Associate Director of Choral Activities at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Her degrees include the Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts in conducting from the University of Michigan where she studied with Jerry Blackstone and Theo Morrison. She also holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music where her primary instrument was French Horn. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/conducther/support

"Every time on stage when we connect with the choral music and I see the students moved or touched by choral music, that's the moment I fall in love with choral music. The love of choral music is affirmed again and again by the connection you make with these humans and the music."Xiaosha Lin is currently assistant professor and director of choral activities at Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington. Prior to her appointment at Whitworth, she served as Director of Choral Activities at the University of Toledo and Assistant Conductor at Hong Kong Baptist University.Known as a dynamic conductor with her engaging rehearsal approach and expressive conducting, Lin was selected as a conducting fellow in several prestigious programs where she worked with Simon Carrington, Edith Copley, David Hayes, and Lucinda Carver. She was one of the semi-finalists in the national ACDA Graduate Student Conducting Competition in Kansas City, MO. As a chorister, she has performed regularly at the Kimmel Center, Carnegie Hall, and Lincoln Center under the batons of Yannick Nézet Séguin, Alan Gilbert, Simon Rattle, and Jane Glover. Lin is a sought-after conductor, adjudicator, and choral clinician in both the U.S. and China, where she was invited to workshops and clinics for all levels of choirs. She has frequently adjudicated in middle and high school choral festivals in Pacific Northwest and Midwest regions. Lin's international background makes her an open-minded, sensitive, and well-rounded musician and educator. She is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive community through choral music. She recently received the Inclusive Excellence Faculty Award for the 2022-2023 academic year at Whitworth University and currently serves as a member of the Diversity Initiative Committee at WA-ACDA.Lin received her Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting at Michigan State University, Master of Music in Choral Conducting at Westminster Choir College, Master of Arts in Music at Hong Kong Baptist University (Hong Kong), and Bachelor of Music Education at Xinghai Conservatory of Music (China).   To get in touch with Xiaosha, you can find her on Instagram (@xiaosha_lin) or email her at xlin@whitworth.edu. Choir Fam wants to hear from you! Check out the Minisode Intro Part 2 episode from May 22, 2023, to hear how to share your story with us. Email choirfampodcast@gmail.com to contact our hosts.Podcast music from Podcast.coPhoto in episode artwork by Trace HudsonPracticing Connection: Working together to help families and communities thrive.Jessica Beckendorf and Bob Bertsch host this exploration of personal and collective...Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Teaching While Queer PodcastTeaching While Queer Podcast is a space for LGBTQIA+ educators, administrators, and...Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Today on conduct(her) Kyra and McKenna interview Dr. Sharon Paul who holds the Robert M. Trotter Chair of Music at the University of Oregon, where she currently serves as Department Head of Music Performance and Director of Choral Activities. She is also the author of Art & Science in the Choral Rehearsal, published by Oxford University Press, which features many of the creative and evidence-based teaching strategies she has cultivated over her career. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/conducther/support

Emmy Woock — Director of Parish Music at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Elmhurst, Illinois, and Dr. Charles Brown — Professor of Music, Music Education Coordinator, and Director of Choral Activities at Concordia University Chicago (CUC), joins Andy and Sarah to talk about how students at CUC are formed into Lutheran music teachers and church musicians, the skills that are unique to teaching music to children, how music can be used in a school setting to enhance learning, why hymnody is important to teach young children, and the upcoming FAME Music Certification Workshop to help anyone who teaches music enhance their teaching skills. Learn more and register at cuchicago.edu/events/2023/06/fame-music-certification-workshop.

In this week's episode, Eric and Justin had the great honor of talking with educator extraordinaire Jasmine Fripp. Jasmine Fripp is the Director of Choral Activities and General Music at Kipp Nashville Collegiate High School. Mrs. Fripp is an innovator and world-class music educator. Yet, in this episode, she is speaking about something that evades every music educator—the concept of finding balance and why it's important to the music classroom and students.Tune in and check out this week's episode!! Enjoy and share!!!In Rotation:Eric- Grupo Frontera & Bad Bunny- "Un x100to"Justin- Brandy "Full Moon"Jasmine- OddisceeConnect with Jasmine: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, EmailSupport the showConnect with us on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram: @podthescoreEmail: podthescore@gmail.com | The Score Podcast WebsiteSupport The Score on Patreon or PaypalMusic Credits:Intro: Justin McLean In Rotation & Outro: Ben Bohorquez - @jamin_music

Today's passionate conversation is with Dr. Jace Saplan, Director of Choral Activities at Arizona State University and the Artistic Director of the Nā Wai Chamber Choir. Our conversation weaves together many important topics, including (but not limited to:)conductor mindset and living into your identities outside of choral musichonoring others and honoring yourself in choral musicReplacing the word "rebuilding" with "evolving"Music as an ancestor...and so much more! Tune in to be inspired today.Be sure to join our community on Facebook and Instagram, and if you are inspired by the content, please support using Buy Me A Coffee! Check back every Thursday for a new inspiring episode. 

Matty (@teague.miller) and Kikau (@kikautown) speak to the amazing Van Angelo, who is currently at San Diego State University working on their MFA in Theatre Arts: Musical Theatre. At the end of the episode, Van recommends YouTube University, the College of Google, Google Chrome Extension: Transpose, Tik Tok, and Joe Deer's Acting for Musical Theatre. Van Angelo (they/them) - is a proud Westminster Choir College graduate and served as Director of Choral Activities for five years at the high school level. Van is currently a teaching artist for Moonlight Youth Theatre and New Village Arts. Select Regional Credits: Something Rotten, Memphis (Moonlight), Catch Me If You Can (SDMT), Seussical (Candlelight), West Side Story, Tarzan, Hairspray (Performance Riverside), The View UpStairs (Desert Rose Playhouse). Music Directing Credits: Leonard Bernstein's New York (NVA), Moana Jr. (MYT), Little Shop of Horrors, Seussical, and The Little Mermaid (VVUSD). Van has performed with the New York Philharmonic, Vienna Chamber Orchestra, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Zelda Symphony Orchestra, and the Philadelphia Orchestra. Van is a two-time Inland Theatre League Award winner, and a Desert Theatre League Award winner. Van is currently a Teaching Associate at San Diego State Universty and an MFA in Theatre Arts: Musical Theatre candidate.

In this week's episode, Reagan Paras (Director of Choral Activities at Anna Maria College) vulnerably shares his story and experiences with us. Reagan reminds us that we have a holistic responsibility to children that supersedes the academic responsibility. Music is pervasive, and at the core is the emotional connection and humanness that music teaches us. This episode is a strong reminder of the importance of keeping a people-first philosophy at the core of your teaching. Be sure to join our community on Facebook and Instagram, and if you are inspired by the content, please support using Buy Me A Coffee! Check back every Thursday for a new inspiring episode. 

Meet Dr. Tucker Biddlecombe, Director of Choral Activities at Vanderbilt University's Blair School of Music, where he conducts the Vanderbilt Chorale and Glee Club, and serves as Coordinator of Music Teacher Education. He also serves as Director of the Nashville Symphony Orchestra Chorus. As you'll hear in this episode, Dr. Biddlecombe is a veteran teacher and a passionate advocate for music education. Dr. Biddlecombe shares his story into the choral profession and how, along the way, he has learned the art of authentically enveloping big ideas. In this conversation, we explore the craft of finding the macro idea - the big thing that works - and how we can all watch master teachers, innovators, and epic conductors and learn from them in ways that will benefit our individual teaching style, personality, situation, and ultimately, our music communities. Learn more about Dr. Biddlecombe and his choirs: https://blair.vanderbilt.edu/bio/tucker-biddlecombehttps://blair.vanderbilt.edu/ensembles/choirs.php https://www.facebook.com/vuchoral Explore the book referenced in this episode, “Sing Legato” by Kenneth Jennings. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/rerZrEf4dHk. Order your copy of Dr. Burch's book, “The Business of Choir”: https://www.giamusic.com/store/resource/the-business-of-choir-book-g10713. Join us over at Patreon.com/MusicEdMatters for monthly meet-ups, monthly bonus episodes, special content and more!Support the companies that make The Music (ed) Matters Podcast possible: —Kaleidoscope Adventures - find your adventure today, kaleidoscopeadventures.com/.  Including the June 2023 Festival and PD Weekend in Myrtle Beach with Alex & Emmy and their choirs!— The Kinnison Choral Company - check out their quality resources - or get your tracks made today - at KinnisonChoralCo.com. **Show music originally written by Mr. Todd Monsell**Show photography provided by Dr. Dan Biggerstaff

Vocal pedagogy - the study of the art (and science) of voice teaching - can sound a bit intimidating, but not in this episode! Get your note-taking tools ready - this episode is jammed full of tips, tools, ideas, techniques, and terminology that you can immediately implement with your singers (and use to educate your community and build value). Using these ideas, you will help your singers find their most confident, capable, and technically sound expression of their vocal instrument - and have a lot of fun in the process.Meet our guest, Vietnamese-American conductor Francis Cathlina, D.M.A. Dr. Cathlina serves as Director of Choral Activities at the University of Memphis. He guides a comprehensive Choral Program of five ensembles through administrative leadership and vision; he leads the doctoral and master's choral conducting program and mentors undergraduate students, and he conducts the University Singers (flagship SATB choir) and Mazi (SSAA choir). Dr. Cathlina's work with choral ensembles has garnered national recognition at the university and high school levels. His scholarship surrounding vocal pedagogy has been published in ACDA's Choral Journal. Dr. Cathlina holds a D.M.A. in choral conducting with a vocal pedagogy cognate from the University of North Texas, an M.M. in choral conducting from Michigan State University, and a B.M.E. from Baylor University. Prior to his doctoral studies, he enjoyed a diverse career as a public school teacher in Texas.Learn more about Dr. Cathlina: https://www.franciscathlina.com/biography and https://www.franciscathlina.com/  Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/-lK1APcvLoE Order your copy of Dr. Burch's book, “The Business of Choir”: https://www.giamusic.com/store/resource/the-business-of-choir-book-g10713. Join us over at Patreon.com/MusicEdMatters for monthly meet-ups, monthly bonus episodes, special content and more!Support the companies that make The Music (ed) Matters Podcast possible: —Kaleidoscope Adventures - find your adventure today, kaleidoscopeadventures.com/.  Including the June 2023 Festival and PD Weekend in Myrtle Beach with Alex & Emmy and their choirs!— The Kinnison Choral Company - check out their quality resources - or get your tracks made today - at KinnisonChoralCo.com. **Show music originally written by Mr. Todd Monsell**Show photography provided by Dr. Dan Biggerstaff

How do we think "outside the box" with choral programming? How (and why) should we use this "outside of the box" thinking to bring singers and communities together? In this episode, you'll hear from Dr. Alissa Mercurio Rowe. Dr. Rowe is an active choral conductor, voice teacher, and soloist. She currently serves as Associate Professor and Director of Choral Studies at Louisiana State University. Previously she served twenty years as Director of Choral Activities at Southeastern Louisiana University. Along with Dr. Rowe's story into the choir world, in this conversation, we explore steps for thinking “outside of the box” related to programming in order to engage, inspire, innovate, and bring humanity together. Get ready for the power of music! Learn more about Dr. Rowe: https://www.alissamercuriorowe.com/ Listen to Dr. Rowe's French Aria Album: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/alissa-mercurio-rowe/1017007558 Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/_F5eP3w8EnQ. Order your copy of Dr. Burch's book, “The Business of Choir”: https://www.giamusic.com/store/resource/the-business-of-choir-book-g10713. Join us over at Patreon.com/MusicEdMatters for monthly meet-ups, monthly bonus episodes, special content and more!Support the companies that make The Music (ed) Matters Podcast possible: —Kaleidoscope Adventures - find your adventure today, kaleidoscopeadventures.com/.  Including the June 2023 Festival and PD Weekend in Myrtle Beach with Alex & Emmy and their choirs!— The Kinnison Choral Company - check out their quality resources - or get your tracks made today - at KinnisonChoralCo.com. **Show music originally written by Mr. Todd Monsell**Show photography provided by Dr. Dan Biggerstaff

In this episode, we learn all about the musical journey of Dr. William Powell, a Charles W. Barkley Endowed Professor and Director of Choral Activities at Auburn University. In this role, he teaches choral-related courses, and conducts the Chamber Choir, Men's Chorus, Concert Choir, and co-conducts the Gospel Choir with his wife, Dr. Rosephanye Powell. As we walk through his journey to choir, we explore the power of building culture, setting high expectations, and yet giving grace. Then, at the end, Dr. Powell, who's edit's his own choral series (“The William Powell Choral Series” released by Gentry Publications) and has many choral arrangements published by Fred Bock Music, Hal Leonard, and Oxford University Press, we talk about overcoming fear in programming and defining concert spirituals versus gospel. Learn more about Dr. Powell: https://cla.auburn.edu/music/faculty-staff/william-powell/. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/q65uPoGkrk8.    Order your copy of Dr. Burch's book, “The Business of Choir”: https://www.giamusic.com/store/resource/the-business-of-choir-book-g10713. Join us over at Patreon.com/MusicEdMatters for monthly meet-ups, monthly bonus episodes, special content and more!Support the companies that make The Music (ed) Matters Podcast possible: —Kaleidoscope Adventures - find your adventure today, kaleidoscopeadventures.com/.  Including the June 2023 Festival and PD Weekend in Myrtle Beach with Alex & Emmy and their choirs!— The Kinnison Choral Company - check out their quality resources - or get your tracks made today - at KinnisonChoralCo.com. **Show music originally written by Mr. Todd Monsell**Show photography provided by Dr. Dan Biggerstaff

Meet Dr. Shane Lynch, an award-winning conductor, composer, and music educator, who currently holds the position of Director of Choral Activities at Washington and Lee University. Newsflash - Dr. Lynch is an incredible storyteller! In this episode, he shares his story that leads from physics and radiology, through performing, and onto choral conducting. Through the stories, you'll learn ideas for advocacy and “debunking the stereotypes” in our career while also gaining some motivation and inspiration to keep you going strong! Learn more about Dr. Lynch, his school, and his choirs: wlu.edu/musicwww.youtube.com/WLUsingers www.facebook.com/wlusingers https://www.instagram.com/wlusingers/ Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/lY0eNa32Bq0. Order your copy of Dr. Burch's book, “The Business of Choir”: https://www.giamusic.com/store/resource/the-business-of-choir-book-g10713. Join us over at Patreon.com/MusicEdMatters for monthly meet-ups, monthly bonus episodes, special content and more!Support the companies that make The Music (ed) Matters Podcast possible: —Kaleidoscope Adventures - find your adventure today, kaleidoscopeadventures.com/.  Including the June 2023 Festival and PD Weekend in Myrtle Beach with Alex & Emmy and their choirs!— The Kinnison Choral Company - check out their quality resources - or get your tracks made today - at KinnisonChoralCo.com. **Show music originally written by Mr. Todd Monsell**Show photography provided by Dr. Dan Biggerstaff