Performing artists and teachers often speak of the huge impact "Center" has upon their profession and craft. In this book, conductor and educator James Jordan details how the power of Center grounds performance, teaching, and learning, bringing the reader full circle to the ideas first introduced in his best-selling book, "The Musician's Soul." Nova Thomas, an acclaimed singer and master teacher, relates how she employs Centering in her work preparing actors and vocalists for their life on the stage. The insights of these two renowned teachers reveal the importance of Centering in the day-to-day life for all performance, artists, and teachers - illustrating the "hows" and "whys" of Centering, and how Centering can transform one's performance and teaching. The authors also cover the groundbreaking contribution of M.C. Richards, whose efforts to define Center profoundly shaped the creative life of all musical and dramatic arts in the United States. The book also covers: a definition of Center; the importance of knowing "The Crossing Point"; an overall philosophy of Centering; aspects of Spiritual Center; aspects of Physical Center and Grounding; breath exercises to access Center; performance/teaching focus as an aspect of Center; the application of Stanislavski's Circles of Attention to performance, teaching, and conducting; the role of Centering in the development of the creative arts; insightful applications of Centering by the authors to all performing artists and teachers; the role of focus and its use in performance, teaching, and conducting; and how to achieve authenticity, honesty, and spiritual presence in both performance and teaching. This beautiful illustrated book is an invaluable resource for performers, actors, conductors, and teachers!

Renowned choral conductor and educator Andre J. Thomas has crafted a book that the conductor of any choral ensemble - be it church, high school, university, or professional - will want close at hand when preparing to program any concert spiritual. Understanding the Spiritual, the first of the book's two sections, is an exploration of the beginnings of the spiritual, its role in society and its transition into art music. Issues of interpretation - text, diction, rhythm, and tempo - are addressed in the second section, Performing the Spiritual. In addition to interviews with noted conductors Dr. Anton Armstrong and Professor Judith Willoughby, focusing on performance and selection, it features Dr. Thomas' personal reflections on several spiritual arrangements. He discusses his rehearsal techniques (with specific examples and measure-number references to the included scores) and shares valuable insights into his approach to interpretation. This practical, personable book will help you develop a firm understanding of the spiritual and realize the full potential of the spirituals your choirs perform!