ABOUT THIS EPISODE
In this special guest Technique Tuesday, Adam Paltrowitz of the Choral Clarity blog, explains his 5 guidelines to follow when programming religious music with your public school ensemble. This is a very insightful episode that I hope will be food-for-thought for Choir Nation. Sponsored by the Choir Nation: Redirect summer conference in OKC, June 27-30.
Listen[Player]
Show Notes 5 Guidelines discussed in the episode- Always explain WHY we choose any piece of music.
- We need to facilitate group discussions regarding each composition with our choirs.
- We must always be sensitive to the backgrounds of the members of our choirs.
- We should be educating our audiences.
- We need to approach programming in a balanced manner.
Adam Paltrowitz is a master educator, composer, conductor, and clinician. He resides in Manhattan with his wife, Blair, who is a professional Broadway actress, and his beautiful daughter, Lyla. He is currently the Director of Choral Activities at Plainview-Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School, on Long Island, New York. During his eighteen year tenure, his groups have toured Europe, Canada, and throughout the United States. What makes his choirs unique is his belief that anyone can sing; as a result, his ensembles are always self-selected, while maintaining the highest standard of musical excellence. He also has pioneered a philosophy that every student is a soloist. All students in his choirs continually learn and perform solo repertoire in various languages.
Mr. Paltrowitz' choral program has gained great acclaim for the cultivation of eight student-run a-cappella ensembles that have performed on national and local programs. Under his advisement, these talented students write their own a-cappella arrangements, teach and rehearse fully on their own, and perform in dozens of concerts throughout the year. This approach stems from the concept of student empowerment.
Adam is well-known for leading workshops with current and future music educators
on topics:
- Motivating Students to Exceed Expectations
- Creating a Positive Learning Environment
- Building a High School Choral Program
- Training the Soloist in the Choral Setting.
As a guest conductor, Mr. Paltrowitz has conducted at numerous festivals and events for elementary, middle school, high school, college, adult, and senior citizen choirs.
As a composer, Adam is focused on writing inspiring, yet accessible music that singers of all ages can relate to. Music is intended to evoke pure emotions from the singers and in turn, touch the audience. We sing because we want to communicate. We sing in a choir because we want to communicate together. Adam's music is intended to reach people through its clarity of thought, purity of emotion, and poetic beauty and word painting. His music has been performed throughout the country.
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