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James Quitman MulhollandProfessor Emeritus at the School of Music at the Jordan College of the Arts, Butler University My quest for beauty in life began rather early. Of course, the beauty of music, but also the beauty of literature, (poetry). I was an only child; my home was in Laurel Mississippi, (also the home of great soprano and friend Leontyne Price). For entertainment most evenings, my Father quoted poetry and my Mother played the piano and sang. I had a strong boy-soprano voice and soon I began joining in, and at nine began studying voice and piano. I memorized Dad’s favorite poems by rote. At twelve, I began studying composition with a young composer who returned to his home in Laurel after suffering a nervous breakdown while working on his doctorate. He was a “God-send” to…

Amanda WeberMWACDA Lifelong Choirs Regional Coordinator Listen and explore 8 works recommend by Amanda Weber, our Lifelong Choirs Regional Coordinator! Olam Chesed YibanehRabbi Creditor Menachem, arr. Micah Hendler In the Morning, In the EveningBex Gaunt Love Is Welcome HereCatherine Dalton Do Not Be DauntedNancy Grundahl Draw Us NearJoel Thompson Come Unto MeBernice Johnson Reagon A Carol for All ChildrenAdolphus Hailstork Joyous LightJ. David Moore Read the article and listen to all of the pieces here!

Ryan LindleyJunior High/Middle School Choirs R & R Chair Too often I found myself programming music for my middle school choirs that dealt with a specific topic like SEL, bullying, or a specific genre without engaging the students in the communities that we were singing about. Based on a project completed by Mrs. Bridget Duffy-Ulrich of Oshkosh North High School, I programmed a concert for a purpose. After a discussion with my students regarding how we fit in our community, they brought up an often forgotten group of people we see every day: our unhoused population. What came of the discussion was the concert title, “From Darkness to Light: A Journey of Hope.” Read the full article here.

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.