It's Official! "Vocal Health Pedagogy" selected for presentation at NCCO7!

The National Collegiate Choral Organization has made it public: Melodie Galloway and I will be presenting our research topic, "Vocal Health Pedagogy as an Integral Part of the Choral Rehearsal" at their 2007 conference in November! 

It's an honor to be selected to present at this prestigious conference, and we are in good company! 

The work we are presenting will discuss practical ways to incorporate technique-building and vocal training into already compressed choir rehearsals. More info to come; I am excited to share our work with NCCO and with you here! 

Presenting at WVACDA Winter Conference

I am excited to share the news that I will be presenting some of my original graduate research at this year's winter conference at the West Virginia chapter of the American Choral Director's Association! I will be co-presenting an interest session called "Vocal Health Practices for Life-Long Singing" with Dr. Melodie Galloway of the University of North Carolina at Asheville. 

This presentation builds off the research I am doing for my Master's degree, into the choral performance by aging voices and the impacts of choral singing on older populations.

Dr. Galloway and I will explore techniques and strategies for addressing the needs of singers as they age, including: a seven step rehearsal process moving through exercises to improve posture, breath, strength, and vocal quality; optimal setup of rehearsal spaces to enhance rehearsal goals; assessments of singers' emotional status to facilitate connection of the whole person to the music; and more. Our presentation will include a demonstration section complete with vocal training and ensemble singing; if you're going to be at the Conference, stop by! 

Going INTO THE WOODS again

I have the pleasure of working on this beautiful show again. I first Music Directed this show back in 2009 and Conducted the performances of it in the Diana Wortham Theater with a 16 piece pit orchestra. Like then, I have talented actors and experienced directors to work with. As we peel back the many layers of this material and dive deep into the music, Sondheim’s brilliance is revealed time and time again. The performances are sure to thrill audiences and crew alike. This semi-professional production is being produced by Activate Drama and performed at the Dunn Center on the campus of NC Wesleyan College.

Theater Review: YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN

Asheville, NC — Asheville Community Theatre receives credible review for Mel Brooks’ musical, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN. This monster story is brought to life with “some of the region’s premiere talent” and leaves the audience full of laughter. Read Jeff Messer’s full YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN review for the Mountain Xpress for more details. The show runs through Sunday, October 25th at the Asheville Community Theatre.

HART’s AVENUE Q Compares to BROADWAY

Waynesville, NC — Haywood Arts Regional Theater receives remarkable reviews for AVENUE Q, the Tony Award winning musical featuring playful puppets and hilarious (adult) content.  Mary Ann Enlow’s review in The Mountaineer of Haywood County provides an idea of what to expect in this show that is “performed to perfection.”  AVENUE Q runs through October 6, 2013 at the Sheldon House, Main Stage, HART.

Chuck Taft: Director of Worship, Biltmore United Methodist Church

I am very excited to announce my new “job” effective immediately. I am now the Director of Worship at Biltmore United Methodist Church. I will lead two choirs and provide leadership and vision for all of the elements of the Sunday worship experience. This is an exciting opportunity for me to use not only my years of musical training and experience but also to tap into my immense love of liturgy and the various elements that go into creating meaningful worship that impacts our daily lives.

I have found the folks at Biltmore United Methodist Church to be loving and welcoming but also deeply convicted people who are eager to do outreach and service. This is a “doing” church. I am eager to partner with them to see what good we can create.

Reuter Center Rewind, Standing Room Only

Asheville, NC —  A packed audience left standing room only at the Reuter Center Singers Rewind to the 50s performance, 7pm, Friday, May 17, at UNC Asheville’s Reuter Center for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.

The dazzling group dressed in fifties attire for the performance, directed by Chuck Taft, who left behind his tux and tie for leather jacket.  Audience members hummed along to familiar tunes, including “Love Me Tender” and “Lollipop.”  Taft’s daughter, Ceili, delighted the audience with a solo, “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas,” and even a canine friend made the stage for “Hound Dog.”

To learn more about the Reuter Center Singers, visit OLLI’s website or contact the Director, Chuck Taft.