Friday, November 4
9-10 AM—Registration/Coffee-Library-Mercer School of Theology, Garden City, NY
10-11:00 AM-Just let me sing! –Sandra Snow, Michigan State University (Sanctuary, Cathedral of Incarnation)
Engaged minds, a spirit of play, and rehearsal strategies that encourage musical decision making will be explored. Demonstration Choir: Herricks HS Chamber Choir, Louise O’Hanlon, conductor
11:15 AM– 12:15 PM – Critical Listening in Choirs: What Do they hear? -Cindy Bell, Hofstra University, Doreen Fryling, Rockville Centre High School (Sanctuary, Cathedral of Incarnation)
This session will utilize the select choir from Rockville Centre High School, to demonstrate critical listening in action and how it is incorporated in a choral rehearsal.
12:15-1:30 PM-Lunch (off-site, on own)
1:30 – 2:30 PM-Diamonds taking shape-Sandra Snow, Michigan State University (Sanctuary, Cathedral of Incarnation)
Beauty of sound can be a goal of any stage during the rehearsal process. Â We will address building vocalism in early rehearsals and, particularly, how to continually re-set vocal goals for music that is well-learned and performed over a period of time. Demonstration Choir: Herricks HS Chamber Choir, Louise O’Hanlon, conductorÂ
2:45-3:45 PM – How to Improvise With Your Choir in Ten Easy Steps-Marc Silverberg-Five Towns College (Sanctuary, Cathedral of Incarnation)
Learn how to develop loop songs, a cappella arrangements, and harmonic progressions easily in a safe, comfortable setting. Using techniques developed by Bobby McFerrin, Rhiannon, Roger Treece, and other skilled improvisers, your choir will be singing within minutes.
4:00-5:00 PM To schwa, or not to schwa- that is the question! Stephen Pagano, Five Towns College (Sanctuary, Cathedral of Incarnation)
This interest session will demonstrate various proven methods to improve choral diction and dynamics. The vowel sound in a word will be identified, written, modeled, and isolated to help create unity, blend and improved intonation. The Five Towns College Chamber Singers will act as the demonstration ensemble.
5:15-7:30 PM Dinner (off site, on own)
7:30 PM – Featured Choir Concert – eVoco, Voice Collective, David Fryling, Conductor (Sanctuary, Cathedral of Incarnation)                                          (continued, next page)
Saturday, November 5
8:30 AM- Coffee/Registration-Library, Mercer School of Theology
9:00-10:00 AM- Conversation and Composition: Session I, Mixed Voicing –Sandra Snow, Michigan State University (Sanctuary, Cathedral of Incarnation)
 A reading session of music in a modified format, allowing for a deeper understanding of the repertoire through story, teaching tips, and discussion. Complimentary music packets provided.
10:15-11:15 AM – A Positive Approach to Classroom Management in Choir Rehearsals-James Ludwig, Herricks Middle School (Library-Mercer School of Theology)
This interest session explores ways in which conductors can take ownership over their rehearsals and classroom environments in a positive way. Participants learn to examine issues that contribute to student distraction in rehearsal and determine the root causes of off-task behavior.
10:15-11:15 AM – They’re Too Pooped to Phonate, but You Need to Rehearse-Judith Nicosia, Rutgers University (Chapel, Mercer School of Theology)
This session will provide exercises and demonstrations that will release laryngeal tension, relax the vocal folds, improve breath flow, assist phonation, give singers a new way to experience resonance on their own, and help rebuild healthy vocal habits.
11:30 AM- Concert Hour 1
- Metropolitan Youth Orchestra Nassau Treble Choir, Craig B. Knapp, Conductor
- East End Women’s Choir, Kamilla Ozman, Conductor
12:30 PM-Lunch (off-site, on own)
1:30 PM-2:30 PM- Conversation and Composition: Session II, Treble and Bass Voicing-Sandra Snow, Michigan State University (Sanctuary, Cathedral of Incarnation)
A reading session of music in a modified format, allowing for a deeper understanding of the repertoire through story, teaching tips, and discussion. Complimentary music packets provided.
2:45-3:45 PM – Music Literacy in the Elementary Choral Rehearsal-Craig B. Knapp, MYO Nassau Treble Choir, Rocky Point School District (Library-Mercer School of Theology)
One of the challenges that elementary choral directors often face is building in quality time for music literacy during rehearsals. Rehearsal time is limited and we often find ourselves focusing on the preparation and demands of upcoming performances and concerts. This workshop will guide participants through a sequential series of activities, warm-ups, techniques, visuals and strategies, all implementing Conversational Solfege. Choral packets provided for attendees.
2:45-3:45 PM – Teaching literacy Through Choral Repertoire-Kathleen Bassett, Buffalo Girlchoir (Chapel-Mercer School of Theology)
The results-oriented demands of a school performing choir can present challenges in advancing students’ musical literacy. Situations where students have varying degrees of previous musical instruction can be especially difficult. This session will describe and provide examples of how the clinician adapted the literacy based Kodà ly approach for use with high school choral ensembles.
4:00 PM – Concert Hour 2 (Sanctuary, Cathedral of the Incarnation)
-  Five Towns College “Quintetâ€, Marc Silverberg, Conductor
- Cerddorion Vocal Ensemble, James John, Conductor
5:00 PM Â Conference ends
