In this episode of Sounds Good, host Dr. Jaclyn Normandie welcomes Chris Eanes, President & CEO of Chorus America, for a deep dive into the claim that "classical music is dying." Where did this idea come from, and why does it keep resurfacing? Is the narrative actually true — or does choral music offer a radically different story? Across three themes, Jaclyn and Chris unpack the resilience of choirs, the cultural role they play as community "third spaces," and why choral music might be uniquely positioned to thrive in the future. They explore whether a "living canon" is still forming today, which composers might stand the test of centuries, and how choirs can honor tradition while embracing the repertoire of right now. This conversation reframes the future of choir as vibrant, evolving, and deeply human. Topics Covered: • Why the "death of classical music" narrative persists • How choral music differs from other classical institutions • Choir as a community anchor and third space • Why choirs shouldn't compare themselves to orchestras • The emergence of a living choral canon • Balancing tradition with contemporary relevance Next Episode: Part Two of The Future of Choir explores the intersection of choral music and technology — including whether AI can ever rival the experience of singing together. Any thoughts? Contact us: podcast@soundsgood.as

In this inspiring episode, we speak with Dr. Burak Onur Erdem, principal conductor of the Turkish State Polyphonic Choir and vice president of the International Federation of Choral Music (IFCM). Dr. Erdem shares his remarkable journey from political science to choral conducting, and explores the transformative power of collective singing. As festival director of the 2023 World Symposium on Choral Music in Istanbul, Burak offers profound insights into how choirs serve as instruments of peace, identity, and social change. From the Estonian Singing Revolution to microtonal music traditions, we discuss how choral music transcends cultural boundaries and creates genuine human connection. Dr. Erdem reflects on mentorship from Maria Guinand and Johannes Prinz, the meditative act of breathing together in choir, and why silence is as important as sound. This conversation will resonate with anyone who believes in music's power to heal divisions and build bridges. Learn more about Dr. Burak Onur Erdem: http://www.burakonurerdem.com Podcast host: Jaclyn Normandie from the Modern Conducting Academy: https://www.modernconductingacademy.com Any thoughts? Contact us: podcast@soundsgood.as

In this episode, we speak with Thomas Caplin, a well-respected professor of choir leadership, composer, singer, and clinician, known for his pedagogical approach to choir leadership. He was awarded 'Conductor of the year' by The Norwegian Choir Association in 2004, and conducts the award-winning youth choir Defrost in Norway. Thomas is passionate about the socio-psychological environment in any choir and has many words of wisdom for choir leaders of all genres and levels. Read more and get in touch with Thomas here: https://www.thomascaplin.com Any thoughts? Contact us: podcast@soundsgood.as

Philip Read, a passionate conductor and member of The Spooky Men's Chorale, advocates for male mental health through the power of choir. He's the founder of The Best Sing Since Sliced Bread and organizes 'Singing in the Shed', a welcoming festival that encourages men of all backgrounds to experience the joy of singing. Discover more about this inclusive and transformative singing weekend at Singing in the Shed: https://www.singingintheshed.co.uk Any thoughts? Contact us: podcast@soundsgood.as

Annemarie Homan had a brilliant idea for all the singers who want to join vocal festivals to perform, but don't have a group or choir to travel with; The Single Singers. What do they do and how can you join? Listen on! Want to join the Single Singers? Send an e-mail to info@thesinglesingers.com or visit their Facebook-page: https://www.facebook.com/TheSingleSingers Any thoughts? Contact us: podcast@soundsgood.as

Christine Mulgrew is one half of the brains behind Total Choir Resources. She shares with us about the importance of a community for conductors, the importance of community choirs and how anyone anywhere can become a conductor. She also tells us about her exciting new project, bringing together conductors from all over the world! Join Choir Leader Link: http://choirleaderlink.com Have a look TOTAL CHOIR RESOURCES: https://www.totalchoirresources.com Or join their online community here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tcrmastermind Any thoughts? Contact us: podcast@soundsgood.as

Sounds Good host and ChoirMate ambassador Dyveke Kuløy talks to Dr. Amy Bebbington, Head of the training programme for the Association of British Choral Directors (ABCD), in London, UK. Amy is a highly trained and skilled conductor with plenty of advice for aspiring conductors and for those who've been in the game for a while! Amy has worked closely with the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain as Course Director, Musicianship Tutor and Guest Tutor. She has performed in award-winning choirs and has choral works published by Banks Music Publications and Multitude of Voyces. Amy has had the pleasure of adjudicating for both the Derry and Cork International Choral Festivals, Feis Ceoil (Dublin), Choir of the Year, Music for Youth National Festival and the Cheltenham Music Festival, among many others. As a teacher trainer/animateur, she has worked for Trinity/Open University, Glyndebourne Education, Sing for Pleasure, Youth Music and Music of Life. Amy is in great demand as a choral clinician, mentor and teacher, and is currently Musical Director for Harlequin Chamber Choir, Corra Sound, Nota Bene, and the Sempre Fidelis Singers (Gordon's School). Want to join one of ABCD's courses? You can find more information here: https://www.abcd.org.uk/training Any thoughts? Contact us: podcast@soundsgood.as

Sounds Good host and ChoirMate ambassador Dyveke Kuløy talks to professor Jim Daus Hjernøe at RAMA in Ålborg, Denmark. Jim has developed his own musical sign language for choirs and works with both VOPA and The Intelligent Choir philosophy. Learn more about how and why in this episode! Want to learn more about VOPA and The Intelligent Choir? Visit Jim's website: https://theintelligentchoir.com/jim-daus-hjernoee/ Any thoughts? Contact us: podcast@soundsgood.as

Sounds Good host and ChoirMate ambassador Dyveke Kuløy talks to founding member of The Real Group and professor at RAMA Peder Karlsson, who believes we can help save the environment - one song and one choir at the time. Now he and the rest of the crew in Choirs For Ecocide Law are launching a world wide project supported by the European Choral Association and Stop Ecocide International. Learn more about how and why in this episode! Do you want to join the movement? It's completely free. Visit: https://www.stopecocide.earth/choirs to sign up! Any thoughts? Contact us: podcast@soundsgood.as

Margrethe Ek startet allerede som 14-åring å dirigere kor. Nå bor hun i Rygge og jobber til daglig som avdelingsleder på Musikk-Dans og Drama linja ved Kirkeparken videregående skole i Østfold. Hun dirigerer Moss Ensemble Consensus og har utdannelse innen sang, direksjon, musikkformidling og musikk og helse. Margrethe Ek er mye brukt som instruktør ved seminarer og holder ofte foredrag om kor og helse samt musikkformidling. Sangteknikk i kor og hvordan opptre på scenen er noe Ek jobber mye med. Margrethe er ofte brukt som jurymedlem i nasjonale og internasjonale korkonkurranser. Har du tips, tanker, ris eller ros? Ta kontakt med oss: podcast@soundsgood.as

ChoirMate-ambassadør Dyveke Wedel Kuløy møter artist og dirigent Kim Wigaard Johansen, et fyrverkeri av et menneske som forteller om sin reise fra sjenert Sølvgutt, via New York, Idol og Melodi Grand Prix, frem til i dag hvor han er dirigent for Demenskoret på NRK. Ønsker du å komme i kontakt med Kim og lære mer om hva som skal til for å etablere og lede demenskor der du bor? https://nmh.no/studier/kurs/etablering-og-ledelse-av-demenskor Har du tips, tanker, ris eller ros? Ta kontakt med oss: podcast@soundsgood.as

Fra Tonsen kirke til Oslo Spektrum: ChoirMate-ambassadør Dyveke Kuløy møter dirigent for Oslokoret Vetle Gjevestad Agledahl som deler om hvordan Oslokoret samarbeider med artister og om hvordan man kan lage en sterk merkevare i korverdenen. I tillegg viser Nora Jaavall Hansen, Line Jacobsen og Didrik Breivik oss rundt bak scenen i Oslo Spektrum før korets konsert med Sondre Justad. Vil du vite mer om Oslokoret? https://www.oslokoret.no Har du tips, tanker, ris eller ros? Ta kontakt med oss: podcast@soundsgood.as