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The Voice

Chorus America's award-winning quarterly magazine, The Voice, highlights chorus news, artistic initiatives in the choral world, and advice and commentary on the business of running a successful chorus. The Voice is distributed to nearly 2,000 choral leaders throughout North America. It is published in Spring, Summer, and Fall/Winter; ISSN 1074-0805. Browse articles and past issues in the tabs below. Editor, Liza W. Beth

Singing with an Aging Voice

How Choristers and Choruses Can Address the Challenges Together

As singers age, what used to be easy becomes harder—sustaining the high notes, singing through a phrase on one breath, doing a smooth crescendo and decrescendo. Here's a look at several strategies for overcoming the challenges of an aging voice.

Richard Westenburg: An Appreciation

Richard Westenburg, the founder of New York's famed chorus and orchestra, Musica Sacra, died of colon cancer on February 20, 2008. Westenburg had been an important fixture on the New York scene for more than 40 years.

David Lang on Hearing Music with Fresh Ears

Composer David Lang tells about the creative vision of Bang on a Can: Take concerts apart and put them back together again so that music can be heard with fresh ears.

Do Concerts Suffer from "Ovation Inflation"?

Whether or not a concert was exceptional, standing ovations are becoming de rigueur with today's audiences. Is this reflective of declining music programs in the schools?

Chairing the Finance Committee

Providing financial oversight for your chorus is a critical role with many facets—learn about the challenges and rewards of effective stewardship.

Alice Parker: Finding the Music in the Text

Which comes first—the melody or the lyrics? Composer Alice Parker explains her creative process.

Singing Seniors

Good for the Body, Good for the Soul

Senior choruses are springing up all over, and singers are reaping the benefits of meaningful community involvement, increased social interaction, and better health.

Stemming Our Cultural Decline

A Message from Former NEA Chairman Dana Gioia

Arts education is a civic investment with a tangible return. Dana Gioia emphasizes the need for arts education in all schools and for all children, and cautions against trading off the challenging pleasures of art for the easy comforts of entertainment.

Funding from Foundations: Recipe for Success

Writing a successful foundation proposal is not rocket science, but it does require vision, research, planning, cultivation, and careful implementation.

Brazeal Dennard Celebrates 60 Years

When Brazeal Dennard passed away in 2010, he left behind a rich musical legacy. This 2007 article profiled the life and career of this champion for African-American music as he celebrated 60 years conducting the Angelic Choir of the Peoples Baptist Church in Detroit.

Becoming Board Chair

So, it's your turn: You have been asked to step into the role of board chair. But what will be expected of you? How can you be sure that you can provide the leadership needed? How can you fulfill the expectations outlined in the job description? We explore top traits of board leaders, how to motivate your team, and crafting productive partnerships among your staff.

When an "Elevator Speech" Isn't Enough

A mission statement that articulates not just who you are but why you matter will help your chorus stand out in the eyes of potential singers, audiences, and donors.

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