Choralosophy

Eric Whitacre may be the father of the virtual choir. But could he have ever envisioned what it would become? In this episode, I have the honor of speaking with the FATHER of the virtual choir. Eric Whitacre. We discuss the origins of his virtual choir “franchise” and his thoughts on watching that concept evolve … Continue reading "Episode 39: The Birth and Maturation of the Virt...

Our online choral conversations are frequently centered, especially recently, around culture. How do we negotiate a diverse society within our classrooms and the online conversations that result? Dr. Graham invited me on his YouTube channel to discuss topics that fall under this broad umbrella like cancel culture, race, discourse and why so many of these … Continue reading "Bonus Episode: St...

Introducing an AMAZING product from MyMusicFolders.com! The resonance singer’s mask shown in this short demo is an excellent option for risk reduction in Covid-era singing. Ultimately, for choirs who choose to sing using tools like this, you will need a mask that is conducive to comfortable breathing and articulating. This is the mask for you! … Continue reading "Resonance Singer&#8217...

In this episode, I continue my deep dive into attempting to understand how the pandemic may effect our world generally, but specifically the world of music and the performing arts. However, it should be obvious that parallels to our everyday lives are interwoven into this information. In this conversation, Dr, Manian and I focus primarily … Continue reading "Episode 38: Necessity is the Moth...

National Chair of the American Choral Directors Association’s Diversity Initiatives Committee This episode flipped the normal script a little bit, where I got to be on the hot seat! I was honored to be invited to be the guest on “And the Beat Goes On” presented by Arreon Harley-Emerson of the Choir School of Delaware. … Continue reading "Episode 37: Speaking of Diversity in...

In this episode, I bring you a substantially in depth conversation with another expert physician who specializes in infectious disease and is on the front lines of treating COVID-19 patients. Humans have a strong bias towards pessimism and the disregarding of any good news. As a result, we tend to trust bad news without question, … Continue reading "Episode 36: Are We Asking All the Right CO...

How Narrow Focus and Tribalism Leads to Bad Decision Making A special edition of the Choralosophy Podcast. It’s basically not about choir at all… But, it’s short and I hope it’s thought provoking, or even helpful! We sure are living in a strange time. The mission of the Choralosophy Podcast is to encourage conversation to … Continue reading "The Eye of the Tiger"

This special episode is a Podcast exchange with the brand new “Music (ed) Matters” podcast hosted by Dr. Emmy Burch. I invite you to check out her show! I am excited to welcome Emmy Burch to the Choral Podcast “scene” with this episode. She already has several excellent conversations available on her channel. In this … Continue reading "Episode 35: Equity Pitfalls of...

As we all look forward to an uncertain future in our choral rehearsals, we might also turn our attention to what was an already RAPIDLY changing market for choral sheet music. For a conversation on this topic I reached out to Susan LaBarr, composer and editor for Walton Music. Our conversation was wide ranging from … Continue reading "Episode 34: Copyright Law Myths and the Future of Choral...

Dr. Adalja is a Senior Scholar at the Johns Hopkins University Center for Health Security. His work is focused on emerging infectious disease, pandemic preparedness, and biosecurity. I am honored to be able to publish this in a time in which all of the education field is reeling with the possibility that school might be … Continue reading "Episode 33: Risk Assessment for Group Activities wit...

Speech Pathologist, Singing Voice Specialist and Classical Soprano I have notice during my time working from home that my voice felt fresher, freer and more resonant than ever. I immediately began noticing other teachers mentioning this online as well, so I sought out an expert on the physiology and function of the voice who also … Continue reading "Episode 32: Resetting the Voice for the Ch...

Instead, I will temporarily place myself inside of a different box as an educator. Believe me, I will be busting out of that box and shredding it ASAP.

Have you been looking for an excuse to try your hand at composing or creating custom classroom materials for your students? Ryan Main made the switch from teaching to composing full time years ago and has some advice. Ryan and I had this conversation about a month ago when we were still allowed to have … Continue reading "Episode 31: Stuck at Home? Try Composing! With Ryan Main"

Just a short note of encouragement to those of you colleagues putting a lot of pressure on yourself right now. Stop it! Do your best, but stop it. 🙂 Most Recent Episode

And other musings about my plans to take choir online. This is a strange time to be posting about choir in a Podcast right now. Considering that choirs are being sidelined all around the world. Of course, we might be the worst kind of activity right now. Sitting in crowded rooms deep breathing… But sadly, … Continue reading "Episode 30. How to lead the perfect FINAL rehearsal before fe...

Passing the Torch of Representation In this fourth and final installment of the first Choralosophy Miniseries, Dr. Christopher Harris and I discuss the potential influence of representation on the choral profession and the next generation of students. However, the conversations was quite wide ranging allow us to touch on other topics like cultural influences on … Continue reading "Episode 29...

Going on the Equity Journey In this part of the February series, I invited my friend Jazz Rucker into the studio to discuss a term that has rocketed to the top of education vernacular in recent years. “Equity” is frequently confused with “equality,” but has some very important qualitative differences. Jazz is currently serving as … Continue reading "Episode 29: Part 3...

“Carving out a place for a Girl Conductor.” In this episode Maria Ellis and I discuss the practical aspects of recruiting across cultural lines for our choirs through the telling of her own story. Maria grew up not knowing that a career as a conductor was possible for her, but through a big dream and … Continue reading "Episode 29: Part 2 of “Choral Music: A HUMAN art Form&...

“Why does representation in Choral music MATTER?” Stay tuned throughout February for my first ever Podcast mini series! Choral Music: A Human Art Form Part 1: Why does representation in Choral Music matter? In this first installment, I address the question “Why Does Representation in Classical Music matter?” (or choral music) My answer to this question, … Continue rea...

This is a FASCINATING discussion with Donald Brinegar, author of the recently published “Pitch Perfect: a Theory and Practice of Choral Intonation.” Donald and I discuss the sometimes misunderstood concepts related to intonation and what makes something “in tune” or “out of tune.” Is it possible that we our education related to this topic has … Continue re...

Seven important concepts to master to keep your choir moving forward for an ENTIRE academic year. Sometimes we fall into ruts. Sometimes the singers do… Ultimately, both scenarios are bad and are OUR fault as the director. I have had wildly successful school years and seasons with churches and pro choir. And some that fell … Continue reading "Episode 27: Reboot, Restart and Revitalize"

In this episode I asked the expert, Dr. Amanda Quist to chat with me about teaching the concept of vowels, resonance and intonation. Is it possible to measure a vowel scientifically? Or is the purity of a vowel subject to the opinion of the conductor? We discuss what I believe to be a new frontier … Continue reading "Episode 26: The Art (or Science?) of Teaching the Vowel with Amanda Quist"

In this episode, Beth and I chat with our mutual friend, Dr. Jaclyn Johnson about her choice to step away from the choral classroom and her University teaching post to go to Brazil to teach Yoga. We discuss her goals in embarking on this adventure, and how she is using this time away to reboot … Continue reading "Episode 25: Loving by Letting Go with Jaclyn Johnson"

“We live in a time where directing choirs for a living is possible. In the broad scope of human history, THAT alone is an amazing luxury.” Choralosophy.com I believe that an underlying philosophy is a necessity for each successful professional. Some call this a “why statement.” Have you found your “why?” Is it the same … Continue reading "Episode 24: Thank...

I am beyond excited to show you an amazing tool that I use to introduce my students to the concept of vowels, resonance and formants! And, by extension, the concept of blend. This is a passion for me in the classroom. I love watching the students eyes and ears come alive to the power of … Continue reading "Bonus: Teaching Vowels, Blend and Resonance with 21st Century Tools"