CDWI at SMON
Offers Direction to Directors

Dateline... Saturday, December 9th, Tinley Park, IL - The Singing Men of Note (SMON) Chorus, South Cook Chapter of SPEBSQSA, Inc., hosted a Chorus Directors Workshop Intensive (CDWI). The CDWI program was developed by the society, and funded by the various districts to bring instructors into the district to provide individual help to directors, assistant directors, or directors-in-training.  It consists of a morning session where the director participants review with the instructors various technical matters, and an afternoon session where the directors are taped as they direct a chorus, after which the tapes are reviewed and critiqued with the instructors.

The Singing Men of Note volunteered to hold the day-long session which included five area directors, including  two of their own.  Participating directors were Bob Tuohy - South Cook, Casey Clements - South Cook, Bob Squires - Aurora, Jim Jarosz - Chicago Metro, and Larry Bunce - Chicago Metro. 

Each man selected a particular directing skill to focus on during his individual training.  Bob Squires selected "quick fixes", the ability to fix a chord or sound while a song is being directed.  The picture to the left shows instructor Mac Dallman from the Ontario District working with Bob on the shaping of the "O" vowel while continuing on through a song.  Other skills being focused on were volume control, communicative directing, and basic use of hands for chorus and musical control.

The Singing Men of Note Chorus is a solid "B" chorus coming in 7th place at district level out of 36 chapters in the district.  Approximately 30 of the choruses 55 members attended the workshop.  The chorus was asked by the instructors to react to the direction given by the directors rather than singing from memory.  It was a challenge which the chorus didn't take lightly, sometime fumbling when the hands failed to clearly direct.  It became easy for the directors to see how their direction had a direct affect no the production of the chorus.

There were huge benefits for the chorus as well.  The chorus could clearly understand the direct relationship  between various movements made by the director and the possible reaction, or expected reaction of the chorus.  They could see the difference as Bob Tuohy, pictured here on the right, made the correct movements to increase and decrease the choruses volume.  Connie Keil (Mid-Atlantic District), on the left, shows Bob where the chorus should be it's loudest.  "Bob played the chorus like an accordion" said one of the chorus members after Bob had finished.

Director Bob Tuohy recalls the events of the day as follows: "This was far better than I ever expected.  Both I and the chorus learned a lot and we will all be better for the experience.  This is a very positive learning experience, and all directors, no matter what their level of experience will get a new perspective on what they can do to improve their choruses and themselves.  I loved it!"

After the days activities, the chorus went to a local restaurant to eat and sing. As a bonus on the day - sweet desert so to speak - the chorus attracted an eating patron who used to sing - and will again as the newest member of the South Cook Chapter - Singing Men of Note Chorus.  Click here for more pictures.