Format : Sheet music + CD
SKU: GI.G-10449
ISBN 9781622775613.
Creating excellence is not magic, the process known only to a few people with supernatural insights and abilities. . . . Vision, persistence, and strategy are the foremost reasons for the creation of excellence in musical performance and they are characteristics of all notably successful choral and orchestral conductors and their ensembles. — from the Introduction In Creating Excellence in Choirs and Orchestras, noted scholar and conductor Dennis Shrock uncovers the key factors and proven strategies that lead to the achievement of excellence in music ensembles at any level, from youth and volunteer groups to professional ensembles. With the use of numerous historical references and examples, primary source quotations, and music excerpts, Shrock lays out fourteen elements that contribute to an ensemble’s success. The first seven are foundational theoretical concepts: goals, focus, attitudes, structures, procedures, responsibility, and ontology. The subsequent seven elements address practical techniques: study, warm-ups, sound, cohesion, expression, conducting, and repertoire. While the book highlights the choral and orchestral mediums specifically, all concepts can be applied to any type of ensemble, from marching bands and wind ensembles to string quartets and vocal chamber groups. Further, the recommendations herein are not exclusively for the benefit of conductors. Music teachers, church musicians, ensemble members, and administrative staff will glean from these pages as well. According to Shrock, excellence is an attainable goal for anyone with a vision, a persistent commitment to that vision, and creative strategies to facilitate that vision’s realization. With this inspiring premise at its core, this insightful text guides readers as they embark on their own quest for musical excellence. Dennis Shrock is considered one of the top choral scholars in the United States and has received a number of awards for his work. He has conducted numerous choral and orchestral ensembles throughout his career, including the Chorale and Accademia Filarmonica at the University of Oklahoma, the Canterbury Choral Society, the Santa Fe Desert Chorale, the Oklahoma Symphony Orchestra, and Oklahoma City Philharmonic. He is also a noted author, having written three books for Oxford University Press as well as six books for GIA Publications.
SKU: GI.G-6390B
English.
Every choir needs a leader to inspire, train and direct it. That person needs all kinds of musical, social, and administrative skills, and these are all explored in depth in The Voice for Life Guide to Choir Training. Here is a comprehensive manual dedicated to the theory and practice of choir training, drawn from the collective knowledge and wisdom of seasoned practitioners in the field. Conceived for experienced leaders and novices alike, it systematically addresses the many different aspects of choir training from conducting and rehearsal management to legal, financial, worship and pastoral issues. It offers countless practical strategies that will be of enormous assistance to all choir trainers and directors, whether or not they are running a Voice for Life scheme. Choir training is a challenge and it demands commitment, but it is hugely rewarding. The Voice for Life Guide to Choir Training will equip musicians in this role with all the skills they need to develop their talents – and those of the singers in their care – so that everyone can grow in confidence and skill, give pleasure and enrichment to those who hear them, and help to inspire the worship of the gathered community. From the Table of Contents: Part 1: Face to face with the choir, Introduction, Rehearsal management, Planning, Warm-ups, Developing technique, Developing musicianship, Working on repertoire Part 2: Behind the scenes, Introduction, The purpose of the choir, Setting up a choir, Recruiting and retaining singers, Jobs within the choir, Choir in context, Legal and administrative matters, Financial matters, Health and safety, Safeguarding Part 3: The choir in public, Introduction, The choir in worship, The content of church services, Different types of church music, Preparing worship music with the choir, Hymns, Worship songs, Anthems, Settings of the Mass, Singing the psalms, Chant from the Taizé tradition, World music, Improving congregational singing, The choir in performance, Repertoire selection, Copyright and licensing, Arranging and composing for choir Part 4: You as a choir trainer, Introduction, Managing your time, Understanding people, Leadership skills, Communication skills Part 5: The choir trainer’s toolkit, Introduction, Some thoughts about music literacy, Conducting skills, Positioning the choir, Keeping it all together, Focus the choir!, Energize the choir!, Working with young singers, Changing and developing voices, Voice change in older singers, Falsetto, Vibrato, The individual voice and its registers, Getting a good sound: intonation, Getting a good sound: blending, Troubleshooting, Music reference, Photocopiable resources, Voice for Life publications and resources, Other RSCM publications and resources, Index.
SKU: GI.G-9025S
ISBN 9781622771622. English. Text by Michael Kemp.
How can choirs maintain and improve their sound and performance skills when they have more mature members? Can older singers learn new techniques? Of course! Here’s a much-needed, timely resource for directors of volunteer choirs. Instead of telling members they’re “too old to sing,†now you can teach them to have better singing posture, more reliable breath support, more accurate intonation, improved blend, greater expressivity…and a wonderful sound. With a wealth of information and exercises that will elevate the skill and sound of your senior members, Michael Kemp shows how all voices can continue to be valuable contributors to the success and enjoyment of the ensemble. Michael Kemp founded and conducts the Philadelphia-area Academy Chorale and Academy Chamber Society. During his long career, Kemp built numerous prestigious church, community, and school choral programs. He has taught more than 400 workshops throughout the United States and Canada, focusing on enhancing the skills of volunteer choirs. His book The Choral Challenge: Practical Paths to Solving Problems (GIA Publications, Inc.) has become a staple for choral directors. Kemp’s recent book Innovative Warm-ups for the Volunteer Choir (GIA) offers purposeful, creative exercises that are simple to learn and fun to sing. Also available: A Director's Edition (G-9025).
SKU: GI.G-017282
UPC: 641151172828. English.
Get five choral conducting teachers for the price of one! Paul French leads through the church year's repertoire. Lee Gwozdz and Betty Bedsole offer vision for a children's choir program and ways to improve their sound. Rob Strusinski outlines ways that conductors can best prepare for rehearsals, and Alan Hommerding illustrates warm-ups for optimal vocal production.
SKU: WD.080689543173
UPC: 080689543173.
Southern Gospel Songs…Just mention that phrase, and a certain sound and style immediately come to mind. And it comes simultaneously as both a visual and an audible trigger. It is sight and sound encapsulated in so many shapes and forms…from the original, iconic male quartet with a stride-style piano man, to the famous mixed groups—usually a family; Dad, Mom, sons and daughters, spouses—to the not infrequent trio, sometimes all male, sometimes all female, sometimes mixed voices, and even the occasional solo artist…all delivering soulful, joyful, heartfelt and inspiring songs. Songs for the church. Southern Gospel Songs. Songs about life, about prayer, about joy, about sadness, about Heaven, about victory, about coming home and about going home; songs of cheer, songs of love, songs of conviction, songs of salvation…Southern Gospel Songs. And whether you first heard one of these songs sung by a quartet, a mixed group, a trio, a soloist, performed with piano accompaniment only, a full band, or accompanied by an orchestra, you haven’t really heard it until you’ve heard it sung by a choir! Southern Gospel Songs for Southern Gospel Choirs...one of the sweetest sounds this side of Heaven!That’s what this book, with its dynamic arrangements by Marty Hamby, is all about -- Southern Gospel radio hits, classic Southern Gospel songs, and new and emerging Southern Gospel hits; they are all ready and waiting for you to add the one missing ingredient… your choir! So grab your robes, get your choir folders in hand, do a vocal warm-up or two, and get ready to “sing the glory down†with this great new collection of Southern Gospel Songs!
