Description
Choral Charisma presents an accessible yet comprehensive approach to singing with expression. Written for directors, singers, and teachers at all levels, the book presents techniques and insights empowering the reader to bring even more humanity to their craft. The heart, mind, body, and spirit can play together to make singing even more fulfilling—for you and your audience.
From Tom Carter’s heart to mine, yours, and your audience members’—very practical advice and unique exercises for choir conductors and singers. I’ve already used some of the concepts with my choirs and there is an immediacy in the way they work. The book is truly wonderful.
—Mary Alice Stollak
Founding Director, Michigan State University Children’s Chorus
Tom Carter expertly explains creating choral artistry through drama, text, and healthy vocal technique offering an in-depth, creative, and insightful way of allowing such freedom in the choral rehearsal. . . . [Touch] the soul of singer and listener alike, bringing back a wonderful memory for years to come.
—Robyn Lana
Artistic Director of the Cincinnati Youth Choir; Faculty at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio
From “The Expressive Choir: Touching the Audience with Artistry,” Choral Journal, July 2007
[Choral Charisma] gives incredible insight about how we can create a classroom environment where all feel safe to create expressively and preserve their own unique personality. I absolutely love this book.
—Gavin Spencer
Choral Music Director at Shasta High School, Redding, California
Tom Carter not only documents the many reasons singers must be totally connected to text, he also provides exercises to help singers sing ‘from the heart’ during rehearsals and performance. Choral Charisma is must reading for every choir director!
—Charlene Archibeque
Professor Emeritus, San Jose State University
I’ve done a number of your exercises with several of my choirs, and the results have been remarkable. The great part is seeing the singers coming to life and finding new excitement and meaning in the music.
—Larry Marietta
San Francisco City Chorus and Vox Dilecti Director
As an adjudicator of choral festivals and guest conductor for honor choirs in New York, I have noticed [the lack of connection to the music and the audience] to be an issue that needs to be reinforced time after time. The techniques in the book have already worked wonders with my select chorale of about 80 here at school.
—Norm Zogaib
Choral Director at Hamburg High School, New York
President, NY ACDA, 2015–17
I read Choral Charisma last year at the beginning of the school year and incorporated many of your suggestions. My goal last year was student retention—my advanced chorus has more than doubled this year at forty-five! I’ve had the most fun these past couple of days working with my advanced group. They’re focused and engaged throughout the class period. This is SO MUCH FUN!!!!
—John Gann
Director of Vocal Music, Clement Middle School, Redlands, California
