Hi folks! You may have noticed the email looks different today. That’s because I’ve switched to SubStack. Still figuring out the bells and whistles. Hopefully it proves to be a good choice.
Anyway… in the latest podcast episode I talked with Phia Exiner! I was so excited to have a chat with Phia because she also runs an Indie-Pop choir, also arranges music for them, and well, just seemed like a really cool person - spoiler alert - she totally is.
Phia Exiner is the founder and Artistic Director of Melbourne Indie Voices (MIV). She's also a performer, singer-songwriter and recording artist.
Expect to learn: the advertising tool that helped MIV grow to 400+ singers; why MIV doesn’t do auditions; if it is selfish for choir leaders to choose only songs they love; if we should teach by ear before introducing the sheet music; why simple is better - what we could all learn from the arrangements of Choir! Choir! Choir!; a great lesson from Mary Poppins for running a good choir rehearsal; and the benefits of showing your vulnerability to your singers.
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Support the show on Patreon!
You can support the show from as little as $3 per episode - less than a coffee costs these days! You won’t even notice it leave your bank account, promise. And - guess what - you can set a monthly limit too, so you’ll never pay more than you intend.
Head to my Patreon page and become a supporter here.
A new arrangement
I did an arrangement of What A Wonderful World for The Canberra Chordsmen. Check out this scrolling score video. The arrangement is also available to buy on Sheet Music Direct and Sheet Music Plus.
Update from the Life of Dan
In January I attended the James Cuskelly Summer School in Brisbane - I highly recommend it for music teachers and choir conductors. Among other things, I received some excellent conducting tips from our Hungarian instructor, Árpád Tóth. Árpád’s clarity of gesture was marvellous, and his creative use of the English language highly entertaining. At one point he told the class "In the first conducting I am always kind. But then I'm not."
Please share the podcast!
You can help the podcast grow by forwarding this email, by sharing the podcast with someone who you think might enjoy it, or by subscribing to the show on Spotify. I love talking to choir leaders, and I hope you enjoy hearing these conversations.
Cheers
Dan