Honestly, let’s just review Amanda Gorman‘s poem she delivered at the inauguration this month. To me, she is the embodiment of fire and magic, beauty and Blackness, hope and excellence. I’ve never been so inspired by a poet as I was by her.
Conducting
The American Choral Directors Association is presenting their virtual conference with a focus on “Diversity in Music” from March 17-20. I’m actually really looking forward to this conference for the chance to learn some new things, re-connect with friends, support my colleagues who are presenting, and be inspired by the excellence of our national choral community. Early registration ends January 27.
Singing
It’s all about guide tracks! Throughout the pandemic, singers In choirs around the world have been recording themselves singing individually at home so that their voices can be mixed into what is affectionately known as a “Virtual Choir.” We’ve been doing this for months, and it is no easy task for our singers who for the most part have very little studio experience and feel uncomfortably exposed and vulnerable while singing and recording alone.
In preparation for upcoming virtual choir projects for school and church, I like to create guide tracks with my vocals, giving choir members someone familiar to sing with when they record themselves. I try to model vocal technique, style, dynamics, diction, and articulation in my guide tracks. This work continues to both challenge and satisfy me.
Composition
Kwanzaa progress
I wasn’t yet able finish all the movements for my Kwanzaa set, but I DID complete a cool new canon for “Ujima” (collective work and responsibility). I taught it by wrote to my family over the Kwanzaa holiday, and we had so much fun singing and harmonizing it together. More to come soon!
For Fun
