Author: Luke McGinnis

Brenda BuchananVocal Jazz Chair R & R Chair Practicing scat singing in the choir classroom can be an exciting and fun way to improve improvisation skills and vocal flexibility. Scat singing involves vocal improvisation using nonsensical syllables or sounds, often in jazz music, and can be a valuable tool for developing rhythm, pitch, and vocal creativity. Here’s how YOU can practice scat singing in a choir classroom: Read the full article here.

Dan AndersenAuthor of Warm-Ups for Changing Voices and the Voice in Progress I’ve had the opportunity to work with adolescent voices for over 40 years as a choral director and private voice instructor. Developing the young voice into a mature adult voice, in a healthy way, has become a passion for me. I have found that through awell-developed set of warm-ups, applied systematically to a choir, you can develop healthy voices and healthy singing habits. You can also keep your students more interested and less frustrated, so they might stay involved in choir through high school and into adulthood. So, why warm up? I think we all remember back to our college voice lessons, and singing the obligatory warm-up exercises was what we did before we worked on literature. Piano…

A Season of Reflection, Renewal, and Celebration As the academic year comes to a close and performance seasons wind down, I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to all of you, our incredible educators, conductors, and collaborators across the Midwestern region. Whether you’ve just stepped off the podium for your final concert, turned in final grades, or are still wrapping up your work with students and singers, I hope you can pause to recognize the impact of your work and the lives you’ve touched this year. This season offers us a crucial opportunity: to rest, recharge, and reconnect, with ourselves and with what brings us joy. In our profession, we are often driven by the need to pour into others, into our ensembles, students, institutions, and communities. But let me…

Paul LapradePresident – Illinois ACDA In any organization, clarity in governance is essential for smooth operations and effective decision-making. This principle holds particularly true in the realm of artistic endeavors, where creativity thrives in environments that foster freedom and expression. When governance lacks clarity, however, it can stifle innovation, create confusion, and ultimately hinder artistic development. One of the primary ways that ambiguous governance interferes with artistic endeavors is through unclear roles and responsibilities. In our discipline, collaboration is key; singers, conductors, event organizers, and administrative boards must work together seamlessly. However, when governance structures are poorly defined, individuals may be uncertain about who is responsible for what. This can lead to overlapping duties or, conversely, critical tasks falling through the cracks. For example, if an organization lacks a clear…