Enlarging the Circle A Long-term Investment in the Choral Art Jeremiah D. Selvey & Wendy K. Moy MENC NW Division 42 nd Biennial Conference February 19, 2011 ~ Bellevue, WA 1

Why invest in the choral art? The effects of teaching music Music is valuable both intrinsically and instrumentally Choral music seems to be a gateway for becoming patrons of other performing arts 2

Why enlarge the circle in the choral arts? The uniqueness of the choral art Gaps in the various arenas in which the choral arts exist 3

Disclaimer THIS IS NOT YOUR “NORMAL” CONFERENCE PRESENTATION! This presentation is not about quick fixes or a list of things to do to make your choral program better. 4

What do we mean by “Enlarging the Circle”? Being open to other possibilities beyond the status quo Envisioning the choral arts as an encompassing of four ideals: collaboration innovation sustainability excellence 5

What questions are we asking? 6

What questions are we NOT asking? “BLIND SPOTS” 7

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Collaboration Broader perspective Aligns goals and leverages strengths Values resourcefulness, exchange & commitment to greater good Collective wisdom and imagination is foundational to true innovation, health, and efficiency 9

Innovation Novelty + change in function Effective innovation transforms human thought, behavior, or disposition Creates new worlds, forward-moving Exposes blind spots 10

Sustainability Persistence into the future Replicable models, structures, & relationships Past & present  future Maximizes a person/organization’s efforts, gifts, strengths, and time 11

Excellence Standard for performance Pinnacle and foundation for “cycle of success” Contextualized vs Idealized Result and pinnacle of sustainability and innovation Re-inspire students and community 12

What is the status quo? 13

Current Organizations 14

Models and Values 15

The Players 16

What is missing from the status quo in the choral art? 17

What is missing from the status quo in the choral art? NOT connecting to a higher purpose in the choral art (collaboration). NOT transforming society and culture through the choral art (innovation). NOT advocating for those without access to the choral art (collaboration). 18

What is missing from the status quo in the choral art? NOT developing a philanthropic base in the choral art (sustainability). NOT building bridges among the various choral organizations and their purposes (sustainability, collaboration). NOT reaching out beyond an individual organization’s own choral world (collaboration, sustainability). 19

What is missing from the status quo in the choral art? NOT establishing a top tier of excellence (excellence). NOT adequately building upon the strengths and successes of other organizations (excellence). 20

What questions are we NOT asking? “BLIND SPOTS” 21

From Status Quo to the “Unknown Possibilities” 22

Organizations in the Choral Arts 23 CHORUS AMERICA CHORUS AMERICA CONSOR- TIUMS IFCM ACDA MENC Organizations in the Choral Arts Organizations in the Choral Arts

Organizations in the Choral Arts 24 CHORUS AMERICA CHORUS AMERICA CONSOR- TIUMS IFCM ACDA MENC Organizations in the Choral ArtsOrganizations Arts

Players in the Choral Arts 25

Players in the Choral Arts 26

Models & Values in the Choral Arts 27

Models & Values in the Choral Arts 28

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What’s in a name? 30 Vision explained: From lofty to real Vision explained: From lofty to real creating a world where the choral art and its communities are thriving and preeminent Buzz words: Keys to success It’s about the process It’s about the people. choro + synthesis: What’s in a name?

What is the approach? 31 Dreams Ideals Dreams Ideals Revolutionize choral music Projects Resources Projects Resources BOTTOM-UPBOTTOM-UP BOTTOM-UPBOTTOM-UP T O P- D O W N

chorosynthesis Vision: a world where the choral art and its communities are thriving and preeminent. Mission: creating a movement that revolutionizes the choral art through enterprises and radical dialogues that foster collaboration, innovation, sustainability, and excellence. 32

Music educators + National dialogue Long-term transformation of American choral music Exploring the Four Pillars from top-down Action plans and projects for moving forward 33 University of Washington Seattle  January 2012

You and the Four Pillars 34

What does success look like? Successful music teachers? – Insatiable desire for repertoire – Ability to motivate and inspire Successful school music programs? – Quality music experiences for ALL – Invests in… Building and expanding the circle Recruitment & retention Healthy networking 35

Four Pillars in Action: Collaboration What do you have to offer to other people and/or this paradigm? What do you have to receive from other people and/or this paradigm? Innovation 36

Four Pillars in Action: Sustainability Continue the conversation – networking the RIGHT WAY RIGHT WAY Innovation  success  sustainability Pass along opportunities; prioritize what is… – Efficient – Efficacious – Expanding/Enlarging You are the facilitator of success! 37

Four Pillars in Action: Excellence Create two ideas of excellence in your mind: – Contextualized – Idealized Create measurable standards for both. Ensure that your model for excellence rests on the foundation of collaboration and is guided by principles of innovation and sustainability. 38

Checklist for Success Technically facile Mentally aware and conversant Spiritually and emotionally connected Inspirationally motivated Reinvent yourself 39 #1 – Become a consummate musician/artist yourself.

Checklist for Success Technically facile Mentally aware and conversant Spiritually and emotionally connected Inspirationally motivated Reinvent yourself 40 #2 – Become a master teacher. Are your students consummate artists/musicians?

Checklist for Success Consider: performance, research, education, communities & cultures Join organizations “healthy networking” Online resources – ChoralNet, chorosynthesis 41 #3 – Become aware/knowledgeable of the broader choral community.

Checklist for Success Not just survival Not only in your arena; partake in something unusual. Make choral art about more than an esoteric experience. Become a part of another community when taking on its causes. 42 #4 – Participate in some form of advocacy.

Checklist for Success Philanthropy – chorosynthesis Other performing organizations Planned giving 43 #5 – Support choral music financially outside the field of music education.

Checklist for Success Healthy networking outside of choral music. Host informal gatherings. Become a part of an event or project that involves choral music but is not about choral music. Create experiences that make singing ubiquitous. 44 #6 – Draw non-choral people into the art.

Enlarging the Circle: Continuing the Conversation