choir Books

What McKinney doesn't know about modern vocal style and pedagogy could fill many more books. If you are taking a vocal pedagogy course and they are using this book, find another school. Out with the old and in with the new already.

I actually bought this book as a gift for my best friend. She was going to start conducting a choir this semester, and she's planning on doing her masters on vocal pedagogi. She had this book in her wish list, and she had been always talking 'bout how much she wanted that book ASAP. So, I got it for her as a gift. Ever since it arrived, and I gave it to her, she has it with her ALL THE TIME!! Every little chance she gets to read, she picks up that book! And now she's always talking about how great the book is, and it's perfect, and has so many great things that she's learning. I would say she's extremely satisfied! So, I guess it's a great book and I can say I recomend it to all of those who want to learn about vocal faults, great to have in your personal libraries. Enjoy!

This book is a reference manual on the diagnosis and correction of vocal faults. I have already underlined many pertinent statements in the book, and I have added a few notes on the side. This book examines vocal problems that are encountered in the teaching studio, and it teaches one
to diagnose and correct vocal faults: Posture, Breath and support, Phonation, Registration, voice Classification, Resonation, Articulation, Speech,etc.
A CD is included.

I loved this book. I own 6 other books on the training of singers but this new acquisition is the BEST. It is short and to the point which tells me the author knows what he is talking about and gets down to business. It is filled with practical ideas for choir directors in working with members individually on their voices. He follows the same teaching sequence I was taught years ago - breathing, phonation etc.; and I have used it successfuly to help my singing and other singers for years. Each vocal fault is clearly identified and many suggested exercises are provided to help the singer overcome their vocal faults to produce the best sound possible. I have been singing in church choirs since childhood. I am also a choir director at my church. I learned several things that were helpful to me personally. I was able to put the teaching immediately into practice; and it improved my tone immediately (thought I was above average in ability to begin with). I was able to take each topic and boil the main teaching down to a sentence or two to help identify vocal faults; and then I wrote a sentence or two on the fixes! This make a good cheat sheet or quick reference to use during choir practice. Wonderful book!! Would highly recommend it to church choir directors or vocal trainers!

This is one of the best books on vocal pedagogy ever written. I just got this edition in order to have the CD which I hadn't purchased with the first edition I had bought. The CD pinpoints vocal faults clearly. However, the sound quality of the recording is LOUSY. And to top it all off, this edition is really a reprint of the 1994 revised issue. So far so good, but the quality of both the paper and the printing is awful: on some pages the printing is REALLY blurry. If you can get the 1994 edition, do it, for it is much easier to read.

Directing The Choral Music Program by kenneth h. Phillips is exceptional and
well researched. It has a wealth of information that is easily accessible and
understood. Mr. Phillips clearly loves his subject matter and has a passion
for helping others to excel in directing choral music. This is a wonderful
resource book !

To all current and future choral directors: this is a must-read book!
I wish I had this book back in college for my choral methods class. This book is full of wonderful tips and practical knowledge that will help you out tremendously in the classroom (rehearsal strategies, classroom management, etc.). I often run into books that have unrealistic lesson plans and expectations for music students, but this book hits on everything you need to make a choir successful. If you have to buy a different book for a college methods course, buy this one on top of what you have now!

This is an excellent book that is helping me to develop the performance of my choral group in my church, all information and details are written in here.

There are many books out there that discuss conducting gesture and pedagogical approaches to running a rehearsal, and they are of enormous value. However, many choral conductors, even those with advanced degrees, feel underprepared when it comes to "real world" scenarios--"How do I build and recruit a choir?", "How should I do warm ups?", "How do I decide on a program/plan a tour?" This book addresses these issues and more, looking at the complete tasks of a choral conductor. In addition to sections on choral adminsitration, rehearsal and performance planning, choral techniques, and professional development, there is a list of recommended choral repertory, sorted by parts, difficulty, and even multicultural origin. I would strongly recommend this book to any choral conducting student or new choral conductor.

This is an excellent, practical text for everything related to managing a choral music program. While I normally do not read textbooks cover to cover, I did with this and found a wealth of information that I will be able to apply to my choir classes. This would be particularly helpful for college students or inexperienced choral directors, as it gives specific techniques and exercizes that can be applied to students of any age or experience level. As a veteran teacher, it was helpful to read this book and be reminded of the "basics", especially in developing a personal philosophy about the role of choral music in the schools and community. Highly recommended text.

This book is a great guide not only for begginers but also for professional singers, it helps you to know your body and how does it work when you sing, following the instuctions of this book you can certanly become a better singer.

This little primer is an excellent overview of the physiological aspects of breathing for singers. Even though this was written with choruses in mind, I have found it useful both as a professional singer and as a helpful tool as I teach my own voice students. Barbara is very clear both with her language and her diagrams; the mystery of breathing ceases to be a complete mystery! Barbara is an expert at "body mapping" and conveys her considerable knowledge and insight well in this little book.

I had originally bought the books for my 9 year old son but he could not seem to get into them. I gave them to my 13 year old niece and she loves the books and can't stop reading them. She reads one after the other and can't wait to find out what happens next. I myself have read the adult Left Behind series and highly recommend these books as well as the kids version. Thanks to authors for a fantastic job in writing books that grab kids' interest.

I am reading these books with my children ages 10 & 12yrs. We are reading it as a family before bedtime and they are really into it. It brings to life literally what the book of Revelation says and they are also learning alot.

I have also read the Left Behind series for adults and those characters are integrated into the childrens story line.

My children just love the story and they always beg me to let us continue reading. It is exciting & goes into great depth into each of the characters in the beginning. Very easy to read.

We highly recommend these books!

My daughter was curious about the end of time. These books were very helpful to her and eased her mind on how things were going to go. Appropriate for a child.

First, let me say that I am adult with 3 children of my own and I like young adult type books in general. These books are very easy to read. They are the type of book that you don't want to put down. The storyline moves pretty quickly keeping you constantly engaged and wanting to know what is going to happen next.

The books are not watered down on its stance about Christianity and are based on the book of Revelation. They are a bit preachy at times. They consistantly uses scriptures as we see the children left behind having to rely on and grow in their faith. They consistently references scriptures in the book of Revelations as events predicted in Revelations start to unfold.

As an adult, I welcome the reminder that I need to live with more faith and rely on God. The children go through many difficult situations, and we can see how faith in action works. The book of Revelations is a confusing book, so I also enjoy this vivid interpretation, and if the books get too preachy, well it's easy enough to skip over.

The topic in this series is serious, controversial and scary. Perhaps better suited for a mature child.

These books are fantastic...just like the adult versions. Anyone who would call them "unholy" because they propose that "the only way to live is God's way", is sadly, lost. If you understand that God's way truly is the only way, and you want to reinforce this idea in your children, buy them these books. They are entertaining and thought provoking. They pave the way to meaningful discussions with your pre-teen. They are definitely a great value to the spiritual home!

This is a great book of vocal and choral warmups. A lot of variety and they are effective. I would've given it a five-star rating if the descriptions of the warmups had been a little less vague. But even if the contributors of the warmups are sometimes unclear as to how they work, they do, nonetheless, work.

This is a wonderful tool for use with any/all choirs, whether adult or children. Some warm-ups are simple, others more difficult, plus it expains why we do a particular exercise. I find it a great helper.

This warm-up book contains warm-ups appropriate for choirs of all ages. I am a children's music director, and I have kids who will ask for a specific warm-up from the book. There are warm-ups that are fun for different ages.

A collection of very good exercises for choirs, proposed by a large number of choirmasters, and very well organized by Sally Albrecht. You will not find theoretical considerations or justifications for the exercises, but the connexion with more theoretical books is easily done for most of the sections.

Not only is this book an invaluable guide to drawing the clothed figure, it is also one of the best books I've seen on drawing period. All of the important principles of drawing are in this book. These principles are clearly presented and well organized with a good mixture of easy to read text and beautiful illustrations. For clothed figure there is nothing else remotely comparable to it on the market. I am a college art instructor and often use this book to illustrate drawing lessons. The sections of the book on kinds of folds and how different clothing reacts to the moving figure are the best I have seen. Anyone, from novice to professional, who want to know more about basic drawing principles, how to draw the figure or the clothed figure should have this book in their library.

I am a figurative painter, illustrator, and part time university instructor who owns two copies of this outstanding book: one for personal use and one as a supplement to teaching.

There are very few books available on drawing the clothed figure, and fewer that are useful. This book is a must have for anyone who is a serious beginner or professional figurative artist.

It is filled from cover to cover with clearly written text, outstanding drawings and diagrams, and valuable information and insight. Part 1 in the book covers the oft overlooked imperative issues of stance and holding the medium, direct drawing, telling a story, drawing in a sketchbook and drawing in your studio. Parts 2, 3, 4, and 5 progress in a logical way through valuable information on the figure and clothing, including: clear information on how body forms and clothing wrap around, folds including their types and how they move with the form and action of the body, fabric types and textures, patterns, and how to construct clothing on the body, plus pages on drawing hats and footwear. Part 6 includes information on design of the figure in clothing, drawing heads, hands, and children.

Barbara Bradley's mastery of subject, joyful spirit, and understanding of how we think and feel moves this far beyond being a simple "How To" book. This book is about drawing the clothed figure, but it is also about expressing an opinion and portraying a living human being.

I just finished my first year of art school and picked up this book to give me some more practice over the summer. Have a background that includes nude figure drawings first before delving into this one. But if you are ready to delve into drapery, this book is a godsend. Not many books deal with clothing studies, and she offers good tips for creating drawings using both value and line.

This book is not so much about depicting clothing but discussing figure drawing and depicting folds in clothing. It doesn't do what it sets out to do. For it to do that, ti would have actually had to explain more abotu how clothing wraps around the body. Understanding the figure is a must in depicting clothing, as cloth twists and moves to the contortions of the body. This was not discussed in the book. Soem real life examples would have wokred wonders toward achieving it's aim. The book can also be a bit wordy. It could have been made concise if they had used a greater amount of photos and clearer graphics.

With that being said, I still enjoyed this book. Even thoguh it didn't quite delve deeply into process some of the suggestions were reasonably helpful. I liked the rough figure sketches she includes. These are great examples of how to capture form. Also, her interest in telling a story and explanations as to her choices in for depicting mood were very interesting to me. I would like to get into illustrative work. So those msall points on telling a story. It a very kind of open beginners book to pencil drawing the human figure. Other mediums are ignored. Still, i like the art, and even though I took the book out from my local library. I'
m thinking of buying myself a copy.
My advice, Buy it from the bookstore, if oyu don't like it, return it.


There really should be a half a star sign, this book isn't quiet a four but it isn't a three either.

Earlier this year, Barbara Bradley was selected by a jury of 75 illustrators, art directors and educators to receive the New York Society of Illustrators' 2007 Distinguished Educator of the Arts Award. "Drawing People: How to Portray the Clothed Figure" is an organized, comprehensive collection of the lessons this outstanding teacher and former illustration department director distilled from 25 years of teaching clothed figure drawing at San Francisco's Academy of Art University. The breadth of Bradley's knowledge and understanding of drawing made this an ambitious undertaking. The result is a book densely packed with key concepts and tips for producing believable, expressive, well-drawn figures.

It is unfortunate that two of the recently posted reviews here are so bafflingly critical--especially since one is written by someone who admits he lacks the skill to draw clothed figures himself. As a working illustrator for over 20 years (Domitila: A Cinderella Tale from the Mexican Tradition, The Wishing Tree, Water Beds: Sleeping In The Ocean, Octavia And Her Purple Ink Cloud, The Rainforest Grew All Around), let me assure you that "Drawing People" is a valuable resource both for beginning artists as well as for more advanced, life-long students. Contrary to the title of my review, the inspiration and skills Barbara Bradley passed on to her many students is her real legacy. Her clothed figure drawing book is a bonus--a gift to those not fortunate enough to have experienced her teaching first-hand.

I can't recall the number of copies of this book that I have purchased. My own autographed copy remains a constant on my bedside table, doggeared, starred, and underlined. It is filled with the lovely, quiet poems of Wendell Berry, a true genius in the crafting of words. These poems, compiled over many years of Sunday walks (thus the Sabbath Poems), harken to the quieter side of life. The inevitable changing of seasons, places, and people. We all need a little space for thinking. Berry reminds us of who we are and why we're here. In a quiet way. Buy this book for yourself. Then order more copies for your friends.

Of himself, Wendell Berry says, "I am an amateur poet, working for the love of the work." My own reading tends not to poetry but to philosophy, physics, exegesis, and related works in which language serves quite differently. And yet, whether reading Aristotle or Wendell Berry, it is inescapable that words are ultimately only allegories for much larger ideas. Perhaps in poetry this fact is embraced and romanced while in philosophic and scientific work it is ever a 'problem' to be rather embroiled in. Well, I am an amateur critic, but if the poetry in this volume is the work of an "amateur poet" I say why bother with "professional" poetry? If in fact there is such a thing, what more could it offer?
Berry is a farmer, a tender of fields and flocks and fences. Of course he is also a highly regarded poet; a man of soil and art and meditation. In this collection his recurring themes include: The importance of honest labor and the importance of rest and contemplation, "the standing Sabbath of the woods" as he calls it; the nature and passing of time, the connectedness of ourselves to our histories and of matter to spirit. Recurring metaphors of light falling into darkness and light arising from darkness, of life fading into death and of life arising from death, have both material and spiritual meanings. . .

"His passing now has brought him up
Into a place not reached by road,

Beyond all history that he knows,
Where trees like great saints stand in time,
Eternal in their patience. Loss
Has rectified the songs that come

Into this columned room, and he
Only in silence, nothing in hand,
Comes here. A generosity
Is here by which the fallen stand." (1984, p65)

The author invites the reader to consider the verses here a few at a time, in moments of quiet and solitude, of "Sabbath rest," in the same manner in which the verses were created.

This book is a rarity of rarities -- quality poetry from a Christian perspective that any and all can enjoy. Though Berry's faith is evident, it is far from oppressive, and simply adds to the peace and quiet of the poems.

Peace and quiet describe them best. Called "Sabbath Poems", they are often the result of a restful walk through the woods, a time of reflection and enjoyment of "the given world". Themes through the book are love of nature (and God through nature), a growing disgust with the modern world, the presence and comfort of death and life, and his love for his wife.

Metrically, Berry's poetry is marked by the strength of his individual lines. Sometimes he rhymes; almost always there is an internal, even organic rhythm.

As this book spans 1979 -- 1997, it is also interesting to trace the progression of his poetry. His lines grow stronger as his poems grow simpler. And he is less afraid to venture out a bit -- while most of his poems are 15-20 lines unrhymed with internal rhythm, he tries on rhyming patterns, writes one or two line works, and even writes a 13 page praise of the pastoral life.

215 pages long is a good deal longer than most books of poetry that aren't "collections". My favorite poems are towards the end, if you're only going to read a few, read the ones from 1992 on.

Poems to quite your soul and spirit. Highly recommended.

A sample poem:

I go among the trees and sit still.

All my stirring becomes quiet

around me like circles on water.

My tasks lie in their places where I left them, asleep like cattle.

Then what is afraid of me comes

and lives a while in my sight.

What it fears in me leaves me,

and the fear of me leaves it.

It sings, and I hear its song.

Then what I am afraid of comes.

I live for a while in its sight.

What I fear in it leaves it,

And the fear of it leaves me.

It sings and I hear its song.

After days of labor,

mute in my costernations,

I hear my song at last,

and I sing it. As we sing,

The day turns, the trees move.

(if you'd like to discuss Berry's poetry, to disagree or agree with me, to recommend a poet I might enjoy, my e-mail is krischwe@whitman.edu)

This collection of poems connects Christianity to Nature. It is Berry's answer in Western traditions to the more ecocritical values of Eastern religion and philosophy. Berry's weekly journeys mediate on the mystical journey one embarks on in finding his or her community within the larger web of life on Earth as seasons unfold. With clarity and wisom, this work professes the beauty and reverence for Nature essential to ecology and community which is neglected at the brink of the twenty-first century. Berry's words, his imagery and description, come alive and touch the heart... and impart on us through each poem to beginning healing, and then to act...

"I go among trees and sit still" (p. 5) Wendell Berry writes in the first of his 124 "Sabbath Poems" collected here. Berry is a Kentucky farmer, a poet and novelist. For twenty years, while the church bell "calls in the town" (p. 9), he has instead spent his Sunday mornings walking "into the woods" (p. 9), meditating upon the world through his poetry. In the woods, "the dead leaves rotting on the ground,/ The live leaves in the air/ Are gathered in a single dance/ That turns them round and round" (p. 11). Amidst "a timbered choir" of "Great trees, outspreading and upright,/ Apostles of the living light," Berry walks "on radiance, amazed" (p. 83). "But a man/ is small before those who have stood so long," he writes. "He stands under them, looks up, sees, knows,/ and knows he does not know" (p. 89).

"The best reward in going to the woods," Berry writes in another poem, "Is being lost to other people, and/ Lost sometimes to myself" (p. 188). "These poems were written in silence, in solitude, mainly out of doors," Berry writes in the Preface to this book. "A reader will like them best, I think, who reads them in similar circumstances--at least in a quiet room" (p. xvii). "The poems," he explains, "are about moments when heart and mind are open and aware" (p. xviii). They are connected with themes of earth, family, peace and death.

G. Merritt

Some of the tips, or advice given in this book is impractical. This is how to teach chorus in a PERFECT setting, not necessarily in the real world. Although, some of the concepts and advice are easy to adapt for a typical public school choir.

Don Neuen details almost everything any conductor needs to know about dealing with singers. From latin pronunciation to rehearsal planning to tone production to ensemble seating arrangements, this text absolutely has it all, including the most to-the-point discussion of physical conducting technique I've ever heard or read.

Neuen presents not only techniques and concepts, but a philosophy of conducting that he's refined over his long and illustrious career. After taking three conducting classes with him and recently playing Benjamin Britten's War Requiem (Bass and Eb clarinets) under him, I can honestly say that his conducting technique is crystal clear, yet extraordinarily emotive, his rehearsal style is fast and efficient, and his knowledge of the score is profound.

The book is logically ordered, clearly illustrated, and passionate about its subject - a refreshing break from texts more concerned with being steeped in academea than with helping students quickly grasp difficult concepts.

It doesn't matter if you're working with a band, orchestra, chamber ensemble, or choir - if you're going to conduct, do yourself (and your ensemble) a favor - read this book.

I've been reading comedic mysteries for years, and must recommend "The Alto Wore Tweed" without reservation. Mark Schweizer has provided us with a truly laugh-out-loud gift in this, his first book in what I hope will be a very long series. I was literally crying by the time I finished the first chapter, and the hilarity level continues, page after page. I quickly read the second book in the series and am now reading the third -- with no letup in the stitch in my side. Some other reviewers have indicated that the book would be enjoyed by musicians and Episcopalians, but EVERYONE will get a huge kick out of this mystery. I'm placing it first on my list, along with Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series. It's even funnier in parts. A must-read!

If you've ever done time in a high Anglican church choir, you will recognize everything in this book. Read this book only if you want to whoop and shriek and roll on the floor. If your choir sings in the rear gallery and is invisible to the congregation, though, do yourself a favor and DON'T bring this book upstairs to read during the sermon. Bring a crossword puzzle instead. I'd hate to see you get fired for uncontrollable giggling and cover-up coughing fits!

This is an enjoyable read, a little silly at times, but still a good book especially for Episcopalians or anyone who sings in a choir

I haven't laughed this hard since required chapel at prep school 50 years ago. I'd forgotten how painful church laughter is. I wept. Highly recommended, especially to Episcopalians and choir members. The sequels are not quite as funny, but definitely worth the read. If you enjoyed these books and haven't read "Augustus Carp," do.

I happen to be a professional church musician. I can totally emphasize with this hilarious comedy. The author takes on all the insanities affecting the church in this day and age; especially SOPHIA et al. Don't miss the false RAPTURE, the FUNERAL TO END ALL FUNERALS, and especially the women's Sophia mini-convention. Mark knows how to skewer all that is insane in the goings on of the church of Jesus Christ in this day and age and get away with it while making us roll on the floor laughing. A true master COMEDIAN! DO NOT MISS ONE INSTALLMENT IN THIS GREAT OH DO WE TAKE OURSELVES TOO SERIOUS COMEDY SERIES!

This is a must have for anyone conducting a choir at highschool level and beyond. I sang many of these songs in my choir in highschool, and now that I'm starting my own carreer as a music teacher I've purchased my own copy. If you're looking for some great arrangements of classic pieces, this is the book you want. Perfect for the classroom and more.

Some of the gems of this book that I'd recommend are Lord of the Dance, and In Dulci Jubilo.

Buy this, you're missing some great music if this isn't in your collection.

I had to buy this book for a concert with my local music association. I was impressed with the wide variety of carols in it, despite the fact that it lacks the "Carol of the Bells," one of my favorites. I was kind of hoping that some of the arrangements could be used for informal singing, but most of them are arranged for performance.

This is the first time that I am able to find so many Christmas Carol for Choir which is my favorite music during the whole year. I would like to see more information about the songs contained, and the title of the songs.

I had the pleasure of participating in a workshop with David Willcocks, and received this book as part of it. It was first published in 1987, but Sir David had some amusing anecdotes to share about how he and John Rutter, another name to reckon with in choral music circles, put it together.

This is what I like about it:

* These gentlemen are giants in the English choral music scene, and personify the English choral tradition in everything they do. So it's a pleasure to find that they have included many carols from other countries, as well as the English ones. It's very hard to find non-English-language carols, so this is a nice little collection.

* Their 4-part arrangements are imaginative but easy enough to sight-sing.

* It also includes a listing of church festivals other than Christmas, with the names and page numbers of carols that would be appropriate for each.

* For ease of navigation as you're singing, the verses are in Roman type while the refrains are in italics.

* For reasons that are not clear, they have chosen to include the text in the original language in some cases, but not all. The foreign language texts are immediately under the English translations, so you can sing in either language.

* At the very end of the book is the order of service for the traditional Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, with instructions on the appropriate rank of each person to read, from chorister to bishop.

If you are only going to buy one carol book, this and the Oxford Book of Carols are the best ones to consider. The Oxford has more in it, and is hugely more expensive, so I recommend this one! it'll take you several Christmasses to sing your way through it.

This book is a wonderful source for any established choir. The multi-part harmonies are arranged in a unique and expressive way. The song selections range from old latin (Quem Pastores Laudavere), to religious (It came upon a midnight clear), and even encludes variations of Jingle Bells and Deck the Halls.