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Reper toire & R esources
Repertoire & Resources

It’s All About the Singers:
An Interview with Clinton Hardy Ferrie and Philip Brown

by Gretchen Harrison

Gretchen Harrison is the National and community members who value and support it.
R&R Chair. Across the country, I’ve witnessed programs face sig-
nationalrr@acda.org nificant cuts, yet whenever the possibility of cuts has
been raised in my own district, parents have consistent-
ly been among the first to advocate for the continuation
of our programs.
Clinton Hardy Ferrie is the National I also see the work we do inside our classrooms as es-
R&R Chair for Junior High/Middle sential to this support. By building strong relationships
School Choirs. with students and fostering a genuine love for singing,
choirwithclint@gmail.com we empower them to share their enthusiasm at home.
When parents see the joy and growth their children ex-
perience, they are more willing to invest in music ed-
Philip Brown is the National R&R ucation. Ultimately, by creating a safe and welcoming
Chair for High School Choirs. environment and exposing students to a diverse range
philip.brown@lps53.org of music, we help them experience music as it truly is:
a universal language that connects and inspires us all.

Brown: I think the trends in choral music education
Both of you teach in traditional K-12 school sit- in K-12 schools varies from community to communi-
uations. What trends are you seeing that sup- ty. Where programs are doing well and thriving, there
port choral music education and performance? seem to be several themes happening in those areas.
Conversely, what trends do you see that could First, positive and supportive relationships between
create a barrier for successful choral music ed- the teacher(s), students, and community are key. Estab-
ucation and performance? lishing an environment where students feel safe, wel-
comed, challenged, and know they’ll grow as musicians
Ferrie: I believe that what truly sustains music edu- and people. Next, music advocacy is not only the choir
cation in my community are the students, parents, teacher’s job; music in schools needs to be promoted

CHORAL JOURNAL November/December 2025 Volume 66 Number 4 21