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contemporary a cappella arrangers, which is a useful Conclusion
place to start looking for names. Selecting repertoire for a pop a cappella group can
Consider some keywords to help narrow your search, feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Hopefully
such as: “A cappella,” “contemporary a cappella,” or you now feel more confident in knowing which songs to
“pop a cappella” + [Song Title] or [Artist]. You need choose and how to choose them. Using all these tools to-
the song title/artists, as any of those terms alone will gether will help you find great, current arrangements for
give you way too many results to sort through. your group that both they and your audience will love!
In addition, you can use filters to help narrow your
search: try “pop” under Genre and “school and commu-
nity” under Usages.

Tenor-Bass Choirs

Dustin S. Cates offers a personal reflection on his life and career. His
National Chair, Tenor-Bass Choirs work has also been featured in award-winning docu-
cates.dustin@gmail.com mentaries, including the Emmy-winning, After Goodbye:

An AIDS Story and Gay Chorus Deep South, which pre-
miered at the prestigious Tribeca Film Festival.
Over a career spanning more than three decades,
Teaching and Leading with TLC: Dr. Seelig has conducted a broad range of ensembles.
An Interview with Dr. Tim Seelig
However, the bulk of his work has been teaching and
by Dustin S. Cates leading tenor-bass choirs, particularly gay men’s cho-
ruses, within the context of the broader LGBTQ+ cho-
Dr. Tim Seelig is internationally recognized for his ral movement.
contributions to choral music and LGBTQ+ advocacy As a result of his vast experience and success work-
through the arts. He is conductor laureate of the San ing with tenor-bass voices, I invited Dr. Seelig to present
Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus and conductor emeritus at our Repertoire and Resources Tenor-Bass Forum at
of the Turtle Creek Chorale in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Seelig the 2025 ACDA National Conference in Dallas, Texas.
is a frequent guest conductor for honor choirs across the The forum, titled “Programming Tenor-Bass Choirs
country, and his own ensembles have also performed at with TLC,” offered insights into repertoire selection,
state, regional, and national ACDA conferences. rehearsal strategies, and his signature approach em-
As a champion of new music, Seelig has commis- phasizing tears, laughs, and chill bumps. Following the
sioned numerous new works, including the first AIDS forum, I had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Seelig in
Requiem, When We No Longer Touch by Kristopher John greater depth about his teaching philosophies, his work
Anthony, Testimony by Stephen with tenor-bass choirs, and the lessons he has drawn
Schwartz, and I Am Harvey Milk from a remarkable career in choral music.
by Andrew Lippa. In addition to
his work on the podium, he is a re-
spected author and educator. His A Philosophy Rooted in Respect
publications, The Perfect Blend and Tim Seelig’s approach to teaching is rooted in his
The Perfect Rehearsal, are widely used background as a professional opera singer and voice
practical resources in choral meth- teacher. His transition from the studio and stage to the
ods and choral pedagogy, and his 2020 autobiographi- conductor’s podium was not only a career shift but also
cal memoir, Tale of Two Tims: Big Ol’ Baptist, Big Ol’ Gay, an evolution. “I didn’t know any better than to think

CHORAL JOURNAL August 2025 Volume 66 Number 1 49