Conducting Womens Choirs: Strategies for Success is a pioneering yet practical book and DVD devoted to all aspects of the womens choira groundbreaking contribution and a true collaborative effort from top professionals in the field. For the first time in a book, choral leaders bring together historical, philosophical, psychological, sociological, pedagogical, and real-world considerations to the womens choirinformation missing from most choral methods and conducting texts.
Areas of focus include:
working with beginning, high school, collegiate, and community womens choirs
improving the sound of womens choirs
suggested repertoire for womens choirs
composing for womens choirs
building community within the ensemble
warm-ups and rehearsal strategies
building excellence in womens choirs
Sections also focus on mentoring, auditions, seating arrangements, historical womens repertoire, healthy vocal development, gender issues, history, status of the womens choir, and much more. This book features research, practical insights, and round-table discussions. The included DVD demonstrates choral techniques and teaching ideas with two womens choirs: Aurora, from Luther College, conducted by Sandra Peter; and The University of Kentucky Womens Choir, conducted by Lori Hetzel.
Conducting Womens Choirs is, quite simply, essential for anyone who is involved in the womens choir movement and the culmination of decades of experience and wisdom by leaders in the profession.
Compiled and edited by Debra Spurgeon
Chapter Authors: Hilary Apfelstadt Lynne Gackle Lori Hetzel Mary Hopper Iris Levine Jeanette MacCallum Nancy Menk Janna Montgomery Joelle Norris Sandra Peter Sandra Snow Debra Spurgeon Phillip Swan Shelbie Wahl
Contributors: Elizabeth Alexander Elizabeth Arnold Carol Barnett Abbie Betinis Derrick Brookins David Brunner Paul Carey Drew Collins Eleanor Daley Michael Ehrlich Stephen Hatfield Ron Jeffers Sharon Paul Rosephanye Powell Kathleen Rodde Rebecca Rottsolk Mark Stamper Z. Randall Stroope Joan Szymko Gwyneth Walker
