University of Kentucky Summer Choral Workshop: The Creative Choral Conductor
June 14-16, 2009,  Lexington, KY

The University of Kentucky is pleased to present its 2009 Summer Choral Workshop, The Creative Choral Conductor June 14-16, 2009 at the Singletary Center for the Arts on the UK campus.  This 3-day comprehensive clinic will feature noted clinician Dr. Jerry Blackstone, Director of Choirs and Chair of the Conducting Department in the School of Music, Theater and Dance at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.  Joining Dr. Blackstone will be nationally recognized UK faculty, Dr. Jeff Johnson, Prof. John Nardolillo, and Dr. Skip Gray along with special guest appearances by noted composer and clinician, Dr. Earlene Rentz and church music specialist, Mr. Michael Rintamaa.

This professional development workshop is being offered to choral directors, college professors, general music teachers, arts & humanities coordinators, and administrators of all levels.  Clinics presented by Dr. Blackstone will include Creative Possibilities for Score Interpretation, Developing Compelling Performances, Male Voice Technique, IPA  for the Conductor and Schwa’s to Die For.  Other presentations will include Creative Rehearsal Techniques, Working with Instruments, Ideas for Church Musicians and The Challenges of Middle School Choirs. These sessions will offer teachers and administrators creative curriculum ideas and programming tools aimed at higher student  achievement and understanding in the following aspects of the Kentucky Core Curriculum – Structure in the Arts, Humanity in the Arts, Purposes for Creating the Arts, and Processes in the Arts.  Roundtable discussions and idea sharing sessions will address Interrelationships Among the Arts and cross-cultural lesson planning as well as offer time for educator networking.   A goal is to boost student retention and self-esteem in the arts & humanities.  The workshop is also an excellent opportunity for choral directors to hone their own musical skills with conducting sessions designed in both a group and one-on-one format with our noted clinicians.

EILA/KDE credit and professional development credit are offered for attending this workshop.  In addition, UK graduate credit is available for an additional fee through the UK Graduate School.

Sponsors for The Creative Choral Conductor include the University of Kentucky School of Music, the Lexington Singers and Central Christian Church, Lexington, KY.  For additional information and registration instructions, please visit the UK School of Music website at www.uky.edu/FineArts/Music and follow the link to “Summer Programs”.  You may also contact Dr. Jeff Johnson at jeff.johnson@uky.edu.