| Internet Resources For The Choral Conductor Sean Burton Lincoln, NE sburton@fastmail.fm |
Sean Burton is a DMA student in choral conducting at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Conductor of the Nebraska Children’s Chorus Bel Canto, and Music Director at Southpointe Christian Church, Lincoln, Nebraska. Originally from Connecticut, Mr. Burton earned the MM in choral conducting from Boston University and the BM in music education, summa cum laude, from The Hartt School – University of Hartford. |
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In July of 2006, I led an interest session on Internet resources at the Nebraska ACDA summer conference. The response to the presentation was enthusiastic and I was encouraged to share my resources with the division.
Before utilizing the list, please note I consider myself first and foremost a choral conductor, not a master of technology. I believe the most important characteristics of every choral conductor relate to rehearsing and conducting choirs. The combination of stellar musicianship and personal qualities of the highest order are essential attributes of a choral conductor. Technology is not able to replace, nor should be viewed as a substitute, for these fundamental skills.
Technology is a useful tool and helpful aid to choral conductors. The Internet has become a ubiquitous aspect of our daily lives and routines – both personally and professionally. For choral conductors, the Internet is a vast resource with a variety of practical applications. Some of these resources include the following: forums for the exchange of ideas, databases of repertoire, learning aids for our singers, opportunities for professional growth and renewal, and affirmation that what we are doing works for other professionals as well.
I have included some observations regarding navigation the Choral Public Domain Library (http://www.cpdl.org) and a list of CPDL editions I have successfully utilized in the past with my own choirs. I encourage you to explore the many possibilities in this list of resources. Because the Internet is constantly evolving, any list of this nature is incomplete and out-of-date as soon as it is compiled. Happy browsing!
| General Internet Resources for the Choral Director |
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Choral Public Domain Library |
Note: Free downloadable editions of works in the public domain |
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ChoralNet: The Internet Center for Choral Music |
Note: A cornucopia of information concerning all matters choral. |
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Musica International: International Database of Choral Music |
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Selected Professional Organizations |
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American Choral Directors Association |
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American Guild of Organists |
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Association of British Choral Directors |
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Association of Canadian Choral Directors |
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Choristers Guild |
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Chorus America |
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College Music Society |
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Conductors Guild |
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International Association for Jazz Education |
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International Federation for Choral Music |
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International Society for Music Education |
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MENC: The National Association for Music Education |
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National Association of Pastoral Musicians |
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National Collegiate Choral Organization |
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Organization of American Kodály Educators |
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Presbyterian Association of Musicians |
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Royal School of Church Music in America |
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United Church of Christ Musicians Association |
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Voice Care Network |
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Selected Publishers of Choral Music |
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Alfred Publishing |
Note: Alfred owns Lawson-Gould and Warner Bros.
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Alliance Music |
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Augsburg Fortress |
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Boosey & Hawkes |
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Cambiata Press |
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Carl Fischer |
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Colla Voce Music, Inc. |
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Concordia Publishing House |
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Cypress Choral Music |
Note: Specializes in Canadian choral music
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Earthsongs |
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ECS Publishing |
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GIA Publications |
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G. Schirmer/Associated Music Publishers |
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Hal Leonard |
Note: Distributes Associated Music Publishers, Durand, G. Schirmer, Peer Music, Transcontinental, Walton, etc. |
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Hinshaw Music |
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Hope Publishing |
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Edwin F. Kalmus |
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Lorenz Corporation |
Note: Heritage and Roger Dean are divisions of Lorenz. |
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Musica Russica |
Note: Specializes in Russian choral music and diction resources.
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National Music Publishers |
Note: National octavos are distributed by Emerson Music. |
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Neil A. Kjos Music Company |
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Odhecaton Music Publishing |
Note: Includes many free scores linked to CPDL
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Oxford University Press |
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Santa Barbara Music Publishing |
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Shawnee Press |
Note: Harold Flammer and Mark Foster are divisions Shawnee. |
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Stainer & Bell |
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Theodore Presser |
Note: Distributes Abingdon, Bärenreiter, Breitkopf & Härtel, Carus-Verlag, Coronet, EMB, Alphonse LeDuc/Robert King, Edward B. Marks, Pendragon, Thorpe, etc. |
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UNC Jazz Press |
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World Music Press |
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Selected Retailers of Choral Music |
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American Music Company, Inc. |
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Brodt Music Company, Inc |
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Elkin Music International |
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J. W. Pepper & Son, Inc |
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Musical Resources of Toledo, LTD |
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The Musical Source, Inc. |
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Sheet Music Plus |
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University Music Service |
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Selected Used Booksellers |
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AbeBooks |
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AddALL |
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Alibris |
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Powell's |
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Other Sites of Interest |
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Barbershop Harmony Society |
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The Black Folder |
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Canto Ambrosiano |
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Choral Director Magazine |
Note: Free subscription available to practicing music educators
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Chronicle of Higher Education |
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Creator Magazine Online |
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CyberBass Project |
Note: Free MIDI files of choral parts, primarily for major works.
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International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella |
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International Championship of High School A Cappella |
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Mollard Batons |
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Newland Custom Batons |
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Oregon Bach Festival |
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Pocket Coach Choral Practice CD's |
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Premier Batons |
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René Clausen Choral School |
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Shenandoah Robe Company |
(subsidiary of Herff Jones, Inc.)
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Southeastern Performance Apparel |
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Stage Accents |
Observations concerning the Choral Public Domain Library (http://www.cpdl.org)
CPDL is an electronic database including more than 8,000 downloadable editions of choral music.
Frequently editions are in open-score format without a piano reduction.
Many editions are “clean,” meaning there will be no dynamics or other expression marks.
In some editions, scores may include errors and are “edited” far beyond the composer’s original intent – consult a given composer’s collected works when possible. If this is not possible and a published edition by a major firm exists, perhaps the published version is a better option.
Anyone can post their editions on CPDL. Publishing companies have a rigorous process for reviewing submissions and their seal of approval and investment in a particular edition is significant.
Navigation can be tricky and you may be taken to other sites quite often, sometimes not in the English language. Always look for PDF files to access scores (if you have Adobe Acrobat software).
This researcher has experienced the most success when searching by composer, then perusing the list of available editions.
Rafael Ornes founded CPDL in 1998, he currently manages the site, and circa 350 of his excellent editions are online.
CPDL is a tremendous resource, so take advantage of it, but a little research is required.
© NCACDA, 2008 |