Oasis Chorale to perform at Kansas Choral Directors Association Convention

The Oasis Chorale will perform on Thursday, July 12, 7:30 pm First United Methodist Church in Topeka, as part of the Kansas Choral Director’s Association annual convention.


Oasis Chorale is composed of 40 singers from the United States and Canada, and conducted by Kansas native, Wendell Nisly. Drawing on their Mennonite hymn-singing background, the choir specializes in a cappella singing. They rehearse annually over a long weekend in the spring and reconvene for a tour later in the summer. As a volunteer choir, each member contributes from their own finances to be part of the choir and annual tour. Oasis Chorale has toured since 2003 in the U.S., Canada, and the British Isles.


Conductor Wendell Nisly is originally from Hutchinson, Kansas. He lives in Harrisonburg, VA and holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Wichita State University and a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from James Madison University. He also serves as administrator and educator for the Shenandoah Christian Music Camp.

Sign up for the KCDA Director's Chorus!

New this year at the KCDA Summer Convention, the KCDA Director's Chorus!

The KCDA Director’s Chorus will perform Faure’s Requiem under the director of Dr. Robert Bode and accompanied by organist Kurt Knecht and chamber orchestra as part of our Thursday evening concert. Participants are asked to participate in three rehearsals (one Wednesday evening July 5 and two on Thursday, July 6). Annotated scores will be sent electronically to all participants. Use the link below to submit your registration by Friday, May 12.

 

2017 KCDA DIRECTORS CHORUS REGISTRATION

Job Opening: Lawrence Children's Choir

KCDA,

Please see the info below for a current job opening from the Lawrence Children's Choir.

Know of an opening you'd like to see posted?  Click here to send them to the webmaster.

Have a great day!

Tiffani Thompson
KCDA Webmaster

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The Lawrence Children's Choir is seeking applicants for the position of Executive Director.  For more information, or to apply, click below:

https://www.lawrencechildrenschoir.org/careers

Luncheon Tickets Now on Sale!

KCDA,

If you are heading to Wichita for the KMEA In-Service Workshop this week, we hope you'll join us for the KCDA Luncheon. Take advantage of this opportunity to network, socialize, and get the scoop on our 2017 Summer Convention.

The Luncheon will be held at the Drury on Friday, February 25, at 11:45.  Tickets are $12 if purchased before February 24, and $13 if purchased on-site at KMEA. Please save your email confirmation or print out your ticket to show at the door.

You can check out all of the details and purchase your ticket by clicking here.

Tiffani Thompson

KCDA Webmaster

Estill Voice Training Courses - Southwestern College

KCDA,

Please see the following message from Dr. Brian Winnie about the opportunity for Estill Voice Training Courses at Southwestern College.

Have a great day!

Tiffani Thompson

KCDA Webmaster

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Southwestern College is proud to offer Estill Voice Training Courses; Level 1: Figures for Voice Control and Level 2: Figure Combinations for Six Voice Qualities held in Winfield, KS this coming March 19 – 23, 2017. We are honored and privileged to have Dr. Kim Steinhauer, President of Estill Voice International, coming to teach the courses during these five days. She is a world-renown voice pedagogue, researcher, scholar, and teacher and a highly sought after clinician and presenter on the Estill model. Dr. Steinhauer was one of Jo Estill’s close colleagues during her breakthrough research.

The Estill Voice Model is comprised of three operating principles:

Craft is learning how to control the various structural components of the voice.  Each structure contributes to sound and feeling of the voice. Control of these structures leads to unlimited options for changing – or maintaining – voice quality, without vocal strain. Craft is the foundation.

Artistry requires knowledge and demonstration of the stylistic elements of a performance practice. Artistry gives you the know-how to make your performance vision a reality. Commonly this principle applies to dramatic and musical endeavors, but there is also “artistry” in effective communication in a lecture, sales presentation, or customer service call.

Magic encompasses the indescribable experience of becoming one with your audience. Magical performances are breath-taking, goose-bump-raising, transformational experiences for both vocalist and audience. But these magic moments can be rare, unpredictable, and fleeting. Having a strong foundation of Craft and Artistry improves your chances of experiencing performance magic, finding that “zone” more frequently.

Benefits of Estill Voice Training™

• Replaces mystery with knowledge
• Reduces performance anxiety
• Promotes confidence
• Empowers students to make choices
• Provides vocal variety
• Leaves nothing to chance
• Leads to a balance of vocal health and aesthetic freedom

What does this mean for your students?

It means you can transform your teaching into a model that has scientific validity. No longer is the voice shrouded in mystery. This workshop will give you the tools, software, exercises, and understanding of how to teach a wide variety of vocal qualities. This is especially important when teaching songs that are stylistically varied, and will encourage your singers to develop their entire instrument in a vocally healthy way. We look forward to having you with us!

You can find more information at: http://www.sckans.edu/undergraduate/music/estill-voice-training-workshop/

You can register online through February 10th at: https://form.jotform.com/SouthwesternCollege/estill-workshop

Sincerely,

Dr. Brian J. Winnie

 

 

Dr. Brian J. Winnie

Director of Choral Activities & Voice

Darbeth Bldg. Studio 4

Southwestern College

100 College St.

Winfield, KS 67156

Office:(620) 229-6302 | Cell: (747) 777-6120

www.sckans.edu/music

Ad Astra Music Festival Survey

KCDA,

Please see the following message from the Artistic Directors of the Ad Astra Music Festival and consider completing the survey linked below.

Hope you are all staying safe and warm in the ice storm!

Tiffani Thompson
KCDA Webmaster

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Happy New Year from Russell!

We are working on an initiative for music teachers in western and central Kansas (though ALL are completely welcome) and would deeply value your feedback. First, if you don’t know us, the Ad Astra Music Festival is a summer music festival based in Russell that produces twelve concerts over three weekends each July. We want to involve you and other music teachers who teach part-time or full-time vocal music in central and western Kansas by inviting you to take part in the 2017 festival.

The festival has gained stability over the last three years producing professional, community, and educational music programs. With our resources, it only makes sense for us to host a place where the music education community can share ideas and address challenges unique to our area, securing a professional support system for each other. But in order to do this, we need your help. We want to know how to best include you, on your terms, in ways that are meaningful and helpful to you.

Would you take a few minutes of your time to complete the survey at the link below?

https://goo.gl/forms/iRN8PuKDh up3ThPY2

We’ll take a look at the results and reach out to you soon. If you have any questions or want to get in touch with us, feel free to do so at your convenience by email (adastramusicfestival@gmail.org) or give Alex a call (785.324.1410). We enjoy talking about music education in rural Kansas and how together, we can strengthen the positive impact we make on the lives of young musicians.

-John Irving and Alex Underwood

Artistic Directors

Ad Astra Music Festival

www.adastramusicfestival.org