Editorial Mission

The editorial purpose of the Choral Journal is, first, to provide ACDA members with practical and scholarly information about choral music and its performance. Articles and columns cover a variety of topics such as:

• choral conducting and rehearsal techniques
• composers of choral music and their craft
• forms of choral music (motets, Masses, part songs, etc.)
• history of choral performance, histories of choral organizations, and biographies of conductors
• history and analysis of choral music
• conductor and composer viewpoints
• literature on and music for various types of choruses
• performance practice, style, and interpretation
• composing, arranging, editing, and publishing choral music
• educational techniques and philosophies
• vocal pedagogy
• professional and artistic philosophies, esthetics
• research materials

The second major purpose of the Choral Journal is to provide ACDA members with news and information about the American Choral Directors Association. Such items include letters from the president, executive director, and editor; information about conventions at the national and division levels; officer elections; proposed bylaw and constitutional changes; endowment and archives reports; and repertoire and standards committee reports and more.

Content

Regular columns in the Choral Journal address specific areas of interest to ACDA members.

Hallelujah! explores the role of choral music in the worship settings of different faith communities.

 

On the Voice investigates current research trends in vocal health, science, pedagogy and performance, as well as choral rehearsal techniques and performance practices.

 

Research Report explores current research studies in the choral field, examining such sources as dissertations, bibliographies, and monographs.

 

Choral Music in the Junior High/Middle School is designed to be a forum for sharing ideas and stimulating thoughts that help teachers in grades 5-9 become more effective.

 

Children's Choirs addresses topics of interest to children's choir directors in a practical manner.

 

 

Student Times focuses on the activity of ACDA student chapters.

 

 

Choral Reviews evaluates the full spectrum of printed music made available to choral directors by today’s music publishers. Reviewers examine issues such as how well compositions are suited for specific types of choirs, the appropriateness of texts and how well they are set to music, and the overall quality of compositions.

Compact Disc Reviews examines recent choral recordings produced by recording companies both large and small.

 

Book Reviews takes a look at current biographies, textbooks, music histories, and how-to books published in the choral field.

 

Repertoire & Standards Committee chairs present regular reports on each committee's activity.

 

 

Career Moves is a summary of choral music job openings throughout the US as listed in display advisements in each month's issue.

 

Other periodic columns include Rehearsal Break, Literature Forum, and Technology for the Choral Director.

Special Focus Issues the Choral Journal publishes focus issues covering specific topics. Recent topics include Travel (February 2005), Junior High/Middle School (November 2006), Elementary School (April 2006) and Sacred Music (March 2007).

Convention Issue Each January, the Choral Journal provides ACDA members with full coverage of the events and performers appearing at ACDA’s national and division conventions.

Information

Production  The Choral Journal is a glossy, saddle-stitched publication printed on the web press at R.R. Donnelley in Liberty, MO. The publication is composed in Adobe InDesign CS.

Advertising  Advertisements in the Choral Journal represent the full spectrum of products and services offered by music industries and related companies. For more information about advertising in the Choral Journal, please refer to the rate card, or contact the Choral Journal Assistant.

Circulation  A subscription to the Choral Journal is a benefit of membership in the American Choral Directors Association. It is mailed monthly to all current members of the association. Subscriptions are also available to libraries.

 Contact Us

For information about becoming a member of ACDA or starting a subscription, please contact the Membership Services Department.

For information about advertising or article submission, please contact the Assistant to Managing Editor.

Return to the Choral Journal main page