I Know Sousa, Not Sopranos!

Book excerpt: Heres a sobering thought for many a band or orchestra director: youve been given the opportunity to work with a choir! Whether or not the decision was made by you or for you, moving from the realm of Sousa or Tchaikovsky to the land of sopranos can be a disconcerting prospect for even the most experienced (not to mention even-keeled) band or orchestra director. But fear nottrained instrumentalist turned choral director (and educator, clinician, composer, and arranger) Russ Robinson, has written "I Know Sousa, Not Sopranos!" to help you survive your foray into this strange land. Drawn from his very successful clinics on this subject, Dr. Robinsons goals with this guide are simpleto show those educators who have been trained in instrumental music that they already possess many of the musical skills necessary to teach choral music, and to present, in a straightforward and accessible manner, knowledge and awareness of key areas unique to directing a choir.