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

09/24/21 • 28 min

Choral Connectivity: A People-First Approach to Singing

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.

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Episode 3: My Job is to Empower You

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 5: They Don't Care About What You Know Until They Know You Care

This week, I speak with choral colleague Dale Duncan, a middle school choral conductor in Atlanta and creator of the S-Cubed sight singing program. We dive into what creates a culture of acceptance in a classroom, as well as swap student stories that prove a people-first approach is inspiring and worthwhile. The episode may seem long, but you won't regret listening all the way through for some heartwarming and inspiring discussion!

Did this episode remind you of a student who benefited from a people-first approach? I would love to hear your story and feature it on the show! Head on over to www.choralconnectivity.com and use the contact form to tell me your story.