Emerald Choral Academy
This program is supported, in part, by a grant from the Washington State Arts Commission, in addition to the National Endowment for the Arts, 4-Culture, the Seattle Office of Arts and Culture, and many generous donors.
The Emerald Choral Academy returns for its sixth semester. As always, we offer a mixture of presentations on vocal technique and other matters that will help the choral singer to improve their skills and musicality. Presentations on vocal registration and pre-rehearsal warm-ups will help you bring your best to rehearse. A panel discussion on superstitions will reveal traditions both enlightening and silly. We’ll close with a timely historical survey of music for English coronations. Many viewers have responded well to our instructors’ mixture of structured lecture and informal manner, as we hope you can experience for yourself this semester.
The Emerald Choral Academy takes place via Zoom. Register below to receive the link.
There is a suggested donation of $25 per person, per class. However, financial circumstances should never be a barrier to participation, and all are welcome to attend, even without a donation. Those who are able to donate more are encouraged to do so, to help defray the cost for those participants in need. You can donate through our secure PayPal page (button below) or send a check to: Emerald Ensemble, PO Box 9963, Seattle, WA 98109.
Emerald Choral Academy Semester VI
Vocal Registration for the Choral Singer – J. Scott Kovacs
Friday, January 20, 2023 – 7:00pm (Pacific)
(Repeat from Semester 5)
Knowing about chest, head, and mixed voice registers is vital for any singer. As choral singers, we can make choices about registration to aid in blend, intonation, and tone color. Participants will leave this webinar with an understanding of what vocal registers are, what they feel like, and how to apply them to a wide array of choral music.
Video and materials HERE
Superstitions of Choral Professionals –
Anne Lyman, Katie Skovholt, Gary D. Cannon, J. Scott Kovacs
Wednesday, March 29, 2023 – 7:00pm (Pacific)
(Re-scheduled from Semester 5)
Let’s face it. We all have little personal practices we undertake before concerts or rehearsals. Whether they be eating habits or posture reminders or warm-up techniques, some are practical, and some may seem downright silly or embarrassing—but all are mentally important. Four chorister-conductors will discuss their own such traditions and others they have encountered, always with levity, honesty, and respect.
View video HERE
Vehicular Warm-Ups – Ryan Bede
Friday, March 31, 2023 – 7:00pm (Pacific)
(Rescheduled)
Like every dutiful chorister, you want to be able to sing your best the moment you arrive at rehearsal. Sometimes your director will warm up the choir, but you may not always find those exercises to be sufficient for your personal preferences. Enter baritone extraordinaire Ryan Bede, to teach you warm-up exercises that are suitable for your car—maybe even while you’re on the road!
View video and download handouts HERE
Music for English Coronations – Gary D. Cannon
Friday, April 28, 2023 – 6:00pm (Pacific)
On May 6th, Charles III will be crowned King of the United Kingdom. The coronation is a centuries-old tradition involving pomp, pageantry, and scripture… a robe, a crown, an orb, a scepter… and music. Gary D. Cannon, the Emerald Ensemble’s resident Anglophile, will take you on a journey of English coronation music from Queen Elizabeth I to the present. Come to hear music spanning five centuries of this most grand of occasions, and to learn plenty of trivia for your coronation party!
View video and download handouts HERE
The Emerald Ensemble will also present a concert of English coronation music at St. James Cathedral, Seattle, on Friday, June 23rd.