With a world full of many conflicting voices, it's not always easy to find your own. When you do, you might feel that it is regularly lost in the din of the world. But this is not true. You do have a voice and your contribution is essential to creating a world of genuine harmony. John Jacobson brings you this collection of heartwarming essays and inspirational stories. Not just for music teachers, this book is full of life lessons for all of us, so we each can find our very own "place in the choir." --From publisher's description.

(Meredith Music Resource). If we could sit down with some of the best choral conductors of our time, what might we learn? In this book, directors at Iowa State University, University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Penn State University, St. Olaf College, and University of Southern California are interviewed. The book shares these directors approaches to: recruitment, auditions, and singer placement in ensembles; selection auditions, and singer placement in ensembles; rehearsal planning; choral timbres and vocal pedagogy; intonation; kinesthetic learning and choreography; traditions and choral culture. Interviews with students and observations of live rehearsals complement these director interviews to provide readers with a comprehensive look at how these choral programs consistently achieve success.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1843.

In recent decades, cognitive neuroscience research has increased our understanding of how the brain learns, retains, and recalls information. At the same time, social psychologists have developed insights into group dynamics, exploring what motivates individuals in a group to give their full effort, or conversely, what might instead inspire them to become free loaders. Art and Science in the Choral Rehearsal explores the idea that choral conductors who better understand how the brain learns, and how individuals within groups function, can lead more efficient, productive, and enjoyable rehearsals. Armed with this knowledge, conductors can create rehearsal techniques which take advantage of certain fundamental brain and social psychology principles. Through such approaches, singers will become increasingly engaged physically and mentally in the rehearsal process. Art and Science in the Choral Rehearsal draws from a range of scientific studies to suggest and encourage effective, evidence-based techniques, and can help serve to reset and inspire new approaches toward teaching. Each chapter outlines exercises and creative ideas for conductors and music teachers, including the importance of embedding problem solving into rehearsal, the use of multiple entry points for newly acquired information, techniques to encourage an emotional connection to the music, and ways to incorporate writing exercises into rehearsal. Additional topics include brain-compatible teaching strategies to complement thorough score study, the science behind motivation, the role imagination plays in teaching, the psychology of rehearsal, and conducting tips and advice. All of these brain-friendly strategies serve to encourage singers' active participation in rehearsals, with the goal of motivating beautiful, inspired, and memorable performances.