In Episode 6 of The Choral Director’s Toolbox, host Dr. William O. Baker explores the Language of Spirituals in the African American tradition, shedding light on the cultural and musical significance of these powerful works. This week’s listener question addresses the perennial debate: Should choral directors use a baton? Finally, today’s inspirati…

In Episode 8 of The Choral Director’s Toolbox, host Dr. William Baker shares strategies for managing The Frustrating Rehearsal. Learn how to maintain focus and professionalism when things aren’t going as planned. This week’s listener question addresses how to build confidence and retain male singers in youth choirs, while today’s inspiration is the…

In Episode 7 of The Choral Director’s Toolbox, host Dr. William Baker shares practical strategies for Making the Most of Practice Between Rehearsals. Learn how structured, intentional practice can help singers prepare effectively and confidently. This week’s listener question explores the benefits of singing in mixed versus sectional arrangements, …

In Episode 9 of The Choral Director’s Toolbox, host Dr. William Baker explores The Passion of Precision, emphasizing how technical mastery and emotional expression are inseparable in great choral performance. This week’s listener question tackles the importance of numerical balance in an ensemble and whether singers should be reassigned for even vo…

In Episode 10 of The Choral Director’s Toolbox, host Dr. William Baker explores The Sacred Harp, tracing its origins from Colonial-era singing schools to its lasting impact on American choral tradition. This week’s listener question examines the effectiveness of Robert Shaw’s count-singing method and whether it is appropriate in all choral settings…

This week on The Choral Director’s Toolbox, host William Baker welcomes Dr. Jamea Sale, Director of the Institute for Healthy Singing and Voice Research, for a special discussion on Prescriptive Choral Training. Learn how this approach moves beyond traditional warm-ups, incorporating voice science, body mapping, and kinetic movement to optimize voc…

In this week’s episode of The Choral Director’s Toolbox, host William Baker explores “The Timely and the Timeless” in music, delving into the distinctions between enduring masterpieces and music of the moment. Gain insights into how craftsmanship, integrity, and inspiration set great music apart. This week’s listener question provides helpful resou…

In this week’s episode of The Choral Director’s Toolbox, host William Baker reflects on the meaning of professionalism in choral music. Explore the nuances of volunteer versus paid ensembles and discover why dedication, artistry, and commitment define a professional chorus, regardless of compensation. This week’s listener question tackles the pract…

In the second episode of The Choral Director’s Toolbox, host William Baker dives into "Conducting an Effective Audition." Learn actionable strategies to streamline the audition process, prioritize your ensemble's needs, and ensure a respectful experience for all candidates. This week’s listener question addresses a challenging leadership scenario i…

Kick off 2025 with the inaugural episode of The Choral Director’s Toolbox!In this debut episode, host William Baker explores “Five Steps to Making Each Rehearsal a Special Occasion,” offering practical strategies to transform rehearsals into meaningful and productive experiences. Discover the “toolbox” approach to choral leadership in response to a…

Blake Morgan’s musical arrangements embody the essence of what it means to “imagine again or anew.” Together with host, Diane Orlofsky, learn how Morgan works in this unique creative space when he conceives his arrangements. This episode features Morgan’s arrangement of the iconic “Hushabye Mountain” (performed by the King’s Singers) and his settin…

This is the first of two episodes with composer/arranger/singer, Blake Morgan, hosted by Diane Orlofsky. Morgan’s music crosses genres and has been performed by Take Six, the King's Singers, Manhattan Transfer, Conspirare, and many others. A gifted singer, Blake is now a member of Voces8, whose performances we often feature on this podcast. In this…

Join hosts Dr. William O. Baker, founder of the William Baker Choral Foundation (WBCF) and Dr. Jamea J. Sale, Associate Executive Director of the WBCF and Director of the Institute for Healthy Singing & Voice Research (IHS&VR), for an inspiring special edition episode featuring a remarkable lineup of guests:* Dr. Andrew Schmidt: Director of the Sum…

In this episode, co-hosts Diane Orlofsky and Scott Sexton speak with two creatives connected to the recording project Awaiting Golden Light (performed by Connecticut-based Voices of Concinnity). First, composer Cheryl B. Engelhardt (whose composition, “The Breadth of Blossoms” was featured on the album) relates the fascinating story behind this cap…

In this episode of InChoir, co-hosts Diane Orlofsky and Scott Sexton speak with Canadian composer, Katerina Gimon, about her choral composition “she was wilderness” (performed by the Vancouver Chamber Choir). Join us as we explore Gimon’s music which has been called eclectic and dynamic. Learn how she draws from many musical styles and takes the li…

In this InChoir episode, host Diane Orlofsky talks to composer/arranger/singer, Greg Jasperse, who is also the Director of Vocal Jazz at Western Michigan University. Together they explore the stories behind his choral arrangement of the seasonal favorite, “Lo, how a Rose E’er Blooming,” (performed by members of the WMU Chorale) as well as his origi…

On this episode of InChoir, co-hosts Diane Orlofsky and Scott Sexton speak with Canadian composer and educator, Sarah Quartel, about her fresh and exciting approach to choral music. Quartel believes that choral music is all about relationships, connections, storytelling, and honoring all voices, including the audience members who hear her music. We…

A choral conversation with Timothy DeWerff, author of "Louder Yet the Chorus Raise!" an Illustrated history of the Yale Glee Club, published to commemorate the group's 150th anniversary.Af Patrick Neas & William Baker

On this episode of InChoir, we talk to two composers about the intersection of choral music and the human experience of grief and loss. Dr. Terre Johnson, is Chair of the Fred and Dinah Gretsch School of Music at Georgia Southern University. Johnson’s career has included conducting every kind of choir, from church music to professional conducting t…

In this episode of InChoir, we talk with composer Christopher Tin and naturalist Scott Weidensaul about the intersection of music, art, and conservation. Christopher Tin's The Lost Birds is sung by the preeminent British vocal ensemble VOCES8, accompanied by Tin's longtime collaborators, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (conducted by Christopher Ti…

In this episode of InChoir, we talk with composer Eric William Barnum about music and memories of home. Eric Barnum is an internationally known conductor and composer who has received numerous awards and grants and has held residencies all over the world. He is currently the Director of Choirs at Drake University. His piece, A Thousand Red Birds, r…

There is something magical about the first creations of a young artist! In this inaugural episode of InChoir, we talk with composer Alex Berko about artistic beginnings and his six-movement composition, Sacred Place. Berko’s choral music is featured on two GRAMMY®-nominated albums, Conspirare’s “House of Belonging” which contains Sacred Place and T…

A choral conversation with past choral interns, Christine Freeman, MME, Megan Moore, Niccole Williams, MME, Emily Fish and Dr. Jamea Sale. Hosted by Dr. William O. Baker & Dr. Jamea J. Sale.Af Patrick Neas & William Baker

A choral conversation with Christy Elsner, Founder & Director of the Allegro Choirs of Kansas City. Hosted by Dr. William O. Baker & Dr. Jamea J. Sale.Af Patrick Neas & William Baker

A choral conversation with Dr. Geoffrey Wilcken, composer, conductor, organist, and pianist. Hosted by Dr. William O. Baker & Dr. Jamea J. Sale.Af Patrick Neas & William Baker

A choral conversation with Sean Sweeden, Composer. Hosted by William Baker & Jamea SaleAf Patrick Neas & William Baker

A choral conversation with Daniel Belcher, Baritone. Hosted by William Baker & Patrick Neas.Af Patrick Neas & William Baker

A choral conversation with Soprano Victora Botero. Hosted by William Baker & Patrick Neas.Af Patrick Neas & William Baker

Af Patrick Neas & William Baker

A choral conversation with William Baker and John Schaefer. Hosted by Patrick Neas.Af Patrick Neas & William Baker