Episode 3: My Job is to Empower You

09/20/21 • 67 min

Choral Connectivity: A People-First Approach to Singing

On this episode I speak with Dr. Jamie Hillman, the Elmer Iseler Chair in Conducting at the University of Toronto. Dr. Hillman and I discuss his experiences and philosophies with people-first approaches to singing. His vast experience ranges from starting a choir with incarcerated men at a prison in Massachusetts, through adjudicating solo and choral festivals, and being a teacher of the next generation of conductors. This inspiring conversation looks to the future of choral conducting, and how we can aim to EMPOWER the singers above all.
Have a thought, suggestion, or feedback? Drop me a line at www.choralconnectivity.com - I would love to hear your thoughts!

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Episode 2: Follow the science to help us, not hurt us!

This week, I speak with friend, choral colleague, and music educator Justine Hansen, who poses the question: Do we need to commit to a large shift away from performance-based music education? Why is there so much research that Music Education is one of the best things we have to offer humankind, and yet public school education systems aren't "following the science?" Music advocacy has used research-based science regarding the importance of music education in child development for years, and yet the facts are so often not being considered in schools. What do we need to do differently to be heard? Is it time for a complete overhaul/renaissance with a community-based (not performance-based) focus, especially as we build up from what was lost through the pandemic?

After listening, we hope to hear from you about your thoughts on our musings, as we prepare a Part 2 episode after hearing your creative ideas on a potential shift in the goals of music education. Share your thoughts and ideas here with us: www.choralconnectivity.com

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Episode 4: Two Choral Terms We Need To Stop Using...YESTERDAY

A basic description of our job as choral conductors or music teachers is to get a bunch of humans to make the specific noise at specific times to the best of their ability. There are standardized ways of getting these specific noises to happen, and also common terms that we use to describe the noises. As a conductor and teacher, I pay specific attention to the words I use when giving direction or feedback. More importantly, I am hyper aware about how the words I choose might make the singers feel emotionally or affect them psychologically. There are certain common terms that choral conductors use that I have deleted from my vocabulary and it has only served the group and individual singers well.
Did this episode spark thought? I would love to hear what you think! Head on over to www.choralconnectivity.com and use the contact form to leave me some feedback.