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2024 ACDA Midwestern Region Conference February 7-10, 2024 Omaha, Nebraska

Choir as Garden: Choir Reborn:
Rejuvenate the Choral Ensemble The Joy of Authentic Expression
through a Flexible, Person-Centered Approach

Many choral directors would like the singers in their
Many choral ensembles take pride in offering singers choirs to be more facially and physically expressive, but
a welcoming place to belong, relate to others, and ex- they’re not quite sure how to facilitate that expression.
perience freedom of expression. Unfortunately, some- This interest session will present a practical technique
times singers in choral ensembles feel judged, taken- that can immediately transform a choir’s expressive-
for-granted, or marginalized. How can choral leaders ness, leading to a new connection with Self, the music,
help every singer feel seen and valued while supporting other singers, and audience members. Based on cut-
individual singers’ growth within the larger group? This ting-edge neuroscience and Method acting principles,
session encourages choral leaders to reflect on their this session is applicable to singers and directors of all
practices and to rejuvenate choral ensembles using the levels. The session will begin with the participants and
model of choir as a garden. When an ensemble is cared demonstration choir engaging in fun and simple exer-
for as a garden, each singer grows in a dynamic ecosys- cises to illustrate the basic concepts. After these foun-
tem with others. Each voice is recognized, nurtured, dational ideas are explored, the participants will learn
and valued for the qualities it brings to the group. Ses- how singers can play with them while they sing. Using
sion attendees will explore specific practices that honor a very simple framework, the demonstration choir will
all singers’ voices. These practices include teaching and apply these tools to some of their repertoire.
learning away from a printed score, inviting democrat-
ic leadership, facilitating creative and improvisatory Tom Carter has sung in numerous choirs,
activities, engaging in singer-led community-building, including the San Jose State Choraliers
and encouraging varied vocal tone qualities and varied under the direction of Dr. Charlene Ar-
choral traditions. chibeque. A professional stage director
and acting teacher as well as a singer,
Jennifer C. Hutton serves as a lecturer Carter combined his passions by working with the Cho-
in choral music education at the Peck raliers and other choirs on stage presence. Although he
School of the Arts at the University of conceived them with a college group, he continued to
Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where she teaches develop and hone his techniques while working with
graduate and undergraduate music edu- adult, high school, and children’s groups. In 2005 he
cation courses and leads Bella Voce, the university’s au- wrote Choral Charisma: Singing with Expression, and since
ditioned treble choir. For over two decades, she taught then he has traveled across the country to work with
choral and general music to individuals of all ages in choirs and present interest sessions. He previously
public-school, independent-school, and community worked as an English and drama teacher in Northern
settings. As a researcher, she studies connection during California.
choral singing, culturally responsive vocal pedagogy,
and teacher–student relationships in music classrooms.
She received her PhD in music education from Temple
University and is certified as an Estill Master Trainer. Creating Meaningful Gatherings
to Revitalize Music Ministries

This interactive and practical session will provide
tools to revitalize ensembles in music ministry settings
and enable meaningful experiences for singers and

CHORAL JOURNAL January 2024 Volume 64 Number 5 49