CUEnotes
Insights from renowned experts and clinicians focused on the needs of youth choir directors
The Little Things can be HUGE!
The Little Things can be HUGE! In the third installment of the "last" mission trip we will hit on some relatively small things that help to make the tour run more smoothly. Some of these things you have likely done yourself, but if they are new to you, you might give...
Choir Tour–the BEST money you will spend!
One thing that is CERTAIN on the upcoming choir tour to Grand Rapids and Chicago is this: EVERYDAY there will be surprises! Every single day something unexpected will happen. The reason that I know this is because it has happened JUST like that for the last 34...
The PERFECT Fund Raiser
The Perfect Fund Raiser. This is the first of a series on the last choir tour. It is somewhat of a retrospective on 35 years of choir touring with some added things about the planning for the current tour. I hope this series will be helpful to you. We are...
The Mother of Invention
So here is the problem: The high school choir (Sonlight) is the service choir in place of the adult choir for a Sunday morning in December. The reason that the students are taking on the adult's normal role is because it is the weekend of the adult choir's huge...
The Next Generation–An Interview with Leslyn Jacks
A few months ago I began a continuing series on the next generation of youth choir directors. This week I continue with an interview with Leslyn Jacks, Tallowood's junior high choir director. In addition to the interview, I also attended one of the...
Overheard at “Come to the Water”
In January I had the incredible privilege of attending two YouthCUE events. The first you read about in a previous posting. That one was in California, the other one was in Florida. Both were excellent and both offered me some wonderful insights from my...
Come to the Water CueTALK
At the recent gathering of some YouthCUE directors in Newport Beach we were all asked to prepare a 6 minute CueTALK. Here is mine! The App on my phone says Lazy CD Free. The CD is for "countdown". Today, the number in the square is 486. The countdown? It started on...
The Next Generation–an interview with Joel Winters
First, Some Background Two years ago Tallowood was looking to fill our Worship Associate position. This person gives leadership to the two contemporary services that we have as well as other duties. Since I am retiring from my position in 2017, I was...
Wisdom Never Gets Old
I was listening to an interview on NPR with the writer of the recent film “The Intern.” In passing, she said, “you know, wisdom never gets old.” (By the way, it is a really good film, I recommend it to you!) That interview made...
Change Happens–How Do You Make the BEST of it?
Every organization--EVERY one--has to change from time to time. Student choir ministry is no different. Every organization—EVERY one—has to change from time to time. Student choir ministry is no different. But how does a director manage change and...
Does Everyone You Know. . . . Know?
For this month’s blog I am returning to my “recruiting and marketing” assignment—just for this month—since we are all thinking about beefing up our recruiting efforts for the Fall. Here is the question—Does everyone you know-know that you direct a great youth...
Voices In My Head (Part 2)–Dr. Carey Cannon
This is the SECOND of two postings from Carey Cannon's sessions at "Alleluia" Conference at Baylor University in Waco. (YouthCUE is one of the sponsors of this annual event. This month I would like to introduce Dr. Carey Cannon, Minister of Music and...
Voices In My Head–Dr. Carey Cannon
In this short series I am going to introduce two clinicians from this year's "Alleluia Conference" at Baylor University. (YouthCUE is one of the sponsors of this event.) This month I would like to introduce Dr. Carey Cannon, Minister of Music and Worship...
Staging the “Reveal”
Staging the “Reveal” For years, when it came time to tell the high school choir where the trip for the following summer would be I just. . . well. . . told them. Those days are gone. Recently, “reveal parties” have become popular and I have become a...
Creative Voice Placement. . . on the run!
We all learned in school that the BEST way to do choral vocal placement is for the same ears to listen to all the voices in the choir and place the singers accordingly. It is by far the best way! However. . . . In 33 years of leading junior...
Before Long, Kids Will Come Sit in These Seats-Get Ready. . .NOW!
It is not too early to begin planning to make that first rehearsal SENSATIONAL! Create “I can’t wait!” Start spreading around how fantastic that first rehearsal is going to be. In a way, you can make it a self-fulling prophesy. I have talked...
Building a Tradition of Excellence (and FUN)–Part One
The summer can serve two distinct roles. First, bringing a great year to a close with (perhaps) a great choir tour. Secondly . . . Secondly, we get a chance to do some advance planning to get ready for the big kick off in the fall. Before...
More First Impressions. . . they are HUGE!
This is the second of two articles on introducing new music to your youth choir. The success of that “first time” will greatly aid the director in subsequent rehearsals. The goal of that very first day is for every kid—if possible—to look forward to getting back...
