Choral Conducting: Focus on Communication [Spiral-bound]

Harold A. Decker (Author), Colleen J. Kirk (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1995

From the nation's top choral master-teachers! Choral Conducting provides direction and guidance for beginning choral conductors, and to stimulate the practicing conductor who is receptive to alternative approaches to choral development and problem solving. A wealth of experience is revealed in this unique compendium. Virtually every topic

is addressed. The cumulative effect is one of breadth and depth.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Titles of related interest from Waveland Press: Hoffer, Introduction to Music Education, Third Edition (ISBN 9781577665496); Robinson-Winold, The Choral Experience: Literature, Materials, and Methods (ISBN 9780881336504); Roe, Choral Music Education, Second Edition (ISBN 9780881338072); and Stanton, Steps to Singing for Voice Classes, Third Edition (ISBN 9781577661351).

From the Inside Flap

"Few texts so elegantly integrate technical conducting instruction with information on repertoire selection and programming, score study and analysis, choral style period overview, and the inclusion of a sample anthology of choral music for class assignments. It is one of the essential resources in choral instruction at our university." -- John W. Richmond, University of South Florida

"Rejoice, for the body of choral conducting literature has been enlarged and enriched . . . knowledge is presented in lucid terms, methodology made practical, murky complexities given clarity." -- Russell Mathis, ACDA Past President

". . . a wonderful resource for all choral educators. This text goes beyond the mere mechanics of choral conducting and deals with the concepts that go into the making of sound conductors of choral music and sensitive communication of the choral art." -- David R. Stutzenberger, The University of Tennessee,Knoxville

". . . this text genuinely reflects the expertise and the humanity of its authors . . . the repertoire, and the emphasis on musical communication make this brilliant text a must for choral music education." -- Doreen Rao, University of Toronto

"In content and format Decker has prepared a text for the choral conducting world to use for many years to come." -- Howard Swan, Occidental College

Product Details

• Spiral-bound: 374 pages
• Publisher: Waveland Pr Inc (October 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0881338761
• ISBN-13: 978-0881338768
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 5.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #236,868 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent source for teachers and students of conducting., November 21, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Choral Conducting: Focus on Communication (Spiral-bound)

This text explores a wealth of information unique to the choral conductor. Outstanding for all levels of students and teachers of conducting, Decker & Kirk's text is well organized and presents its eclectic contents from the most basic information to the advanced in an easy-to-read format that also allows the conductor quick reference in the future. Musical examples can be found throughout the text with sample markings that emphasize the teachings of each chapter. Other highlights of the text include:

A prologue discussing the importance of communication in a conductor; The relationship of the conducting gesture to the expression of the music (Chapter 1); An in-depth chapter on preparing the score with careful consideration to the historical perspective and score analysis. This section also includes models for score analysis and sample marked scores (Chapter 2); An extensive section on the role of the conductor in rehearsal, the reasons for careful preparation and planning, how to plan for different levels, and the choral instrument -- the physiology (breathing, phonation, amplification), diction, expression, and developmental exercises (Chapters 3-5); A chapter focusing on the criteria and guidelines for selecting repertory and building a program with your singers and audience in mind.

An extensive section of appendices includes: projects for several of the text's chapters; a guide for teachers of conducting classes; a guide on capitalization of titles (in English, Latin, Italian, French, and German); a pronunciation guide that includes a Phonetics chart, and guides for Liturgical Latin, German, and French; an annotated listing of repertory for children's, adolescents', treble, and male choruses, and music for the church choir; a glossary of terms used in this text; a bibliography; and music for conducting practice and study that is organized by musical period. Also includes an alphabetical index of terms and composers that appear throughout the text.

1 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Quality with a Easy Price, March 19, 2006

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This review is from: Choral Conducting: Focus on Communication (Spiral-bound)

I ordered this book as a textbook for one of my classes at college. It arrived in perfect condition and I plan on purchasing more textbooks from Amazon because the price is in my range. I would recommend it to anyone. Thank you for your super prices and great quality products.