This is a pioneering yet practical book and DVD devoted to all aspects of the women's choir - a groundbreaking contribution and a true collaborative effort from top professionals in the field. For the first time in a book, choral leaders bring together historical, philosophical, psychological, sociological, pedagogical, and real-world considerations to the women's choir - information missing from most choral methods and conducting texts. Areas of focus include: working with beginning, high school, collegiate, and community women's choirs; improving the sound of women's choirs; suggested repertoire for women's choirs; composing for women's choirs; building community within the ensemble; warm-ups and rehearsal strategies; building excellence in women's choirs. Sections also focus on mentoring, auditions, seating arrangements, historical women's repertoire, healthy vocal development, gender issues, history, status of the women's choir, and much more. This book features research, practical insights, and round-table discussions. The included DVD demonstrates choral techniques and teaching ideas with two women's choirs: Aurora, from Luther College, conducted by Sandra Peter; and The University of Kentucky Women's Choir, conducted by Lori Hetzel. Conducting Women's Choirs is, quite simply, essential for anyone who is involved in the women's choir movement and interested in the culmination of decades of experience and wisdom by leaders in the profession.

Robert Lawson Shaw was born in Red Bluff, California on April 30, 1916 - another century, another America. By the time he died, 82 years later, he had become one of America's classical music icons - a key figure who helped create a culture of classical music in the United States. Shaw was the principle re-inventor of the choral art in America. He made choral music important, artistic, and popular. Deep River is a rich, in-depth, 631-page biography of this complex man and his relentless drive to transform American choral singing. The enclosed DVD features Robert Shaw in rehearsal at Boston University.

New to teaching chorus? If so, you may be filled with anticipation and anxiety. Getting Started with Middle School Chorus is here to point you in the right directions . Like other books in the "Getting Started" series, there's enough specific information here to get you started and on your way! This second edition of Getting Started with Middle School Chorus gives you new information on working with young adolescent changing voices, designing optimal rehearsals for middle schoolers, managing growing choral programs, and helping youngsters gain musical skills they can carry with them for a lifetime of making music. This practical outline will help build your confidence as you take on the new responsibilities associated with teaching middle school chorus.

Remarkable and practical, this workbook challenges music educators to examine their grading procedures for fairness and clarity and help motivate students to improve and achieve musically. Exercises and reflective questions encourage educators to work as a team to assess the current grading system and move to the next level by incorporating the latest research about grading and connecting to Common Core standards. An essential resource for educators!

Movement enhances even the simplest musical settings. It can bring energy to a dynamic show choir number or simple elegance to a beautiful concert piece without your choir ever leaving the risers! John Jacobson's ideas for staging and choreography on choral risers have been compiled in this easy-to-use resource for the beginning or veteran choral director. Covering basic formations, visual effect and simple gestures that enhance the lyrics, this practical guide will help you incorporate all kinds of staging into your performance. This is an exceptionally important resource for virtually every school choral director!

The Joy of Part Singing is a resource that will help children's choirs experience greater success in part-singing through short, accessible warm-ups, vocal exercises, rhythm chants, echo songs, mini-descants, and rounds. While some of these exercises are for rehearsal only, others may be shared in worship or in concert settings. Everything presented in the book was born out of the author's own needs as a conductor of children's choirs. Even if your choir is currently working towards solidifying a beautiful, unison sound, these activities will help singers build the foundation for singing in multiple parts in the future.

This book is a "must have" for anyone seeking to encourage student leadership in a musical group or other school organization. This inviting leadership method book is an interactive journey for all stakeholders in your program. The exceptionally effective process encourages significant personal and program growth. The proven approach is equally effective with high school and college-aged students. This hands-on manual is essential for any educator looking to improve student performance in the classroom, on the stage, and beyond!

The Musician's Trust clarifies and celebrates the important role this quality plays among musicians, both among individuals and ensembles, as well as between teachers and students. Drawing on the experiences of conductors, composers, producers and teachers, the necessity of trust is brought center stage. Topics include: building trust; conductor gestures that inadvertently breed mistrust; trusting your own musical judgements; trusting each other within the ensemble; and finding tone colors that reflect the presence of trust.

The roots of unaccompanied vocal music stretch all the way back to the Gregorian chants of the Middle Ages, and collegiate a cappella singing is more than a century old. But what was once largely an Ivy League phenomenon has, in the past 20 years, spread to high schools and colleges across the country. Now a major motion picture, Pitch Perfect is the inspiring, triumphant, hilarious and heartbreaking story of the quest for collegiate a cappella glory. Featuring championship ensembles, it chronicles the musical and personal challenges associated with their success in competition. This is a fascinating book for the choral director or student musician who aspires to greatness in the rewarding discipline of a cappella singing!