Beyond Singing: Blueprint for the Exceptional Choral Program
Date
September 16-December 6, 2024
Course Code
8324C / 543C*
Credits
3 / 2*
Tuition
$1146
Course Description
This on-line workshop explores Beyond Singing-Blueprint for the Exceptional Choral Program, THE “how-to” book for the high school choral director. It is designed for the secondary choir director who is searching to find new solutions to old problems with their choral program. It’s the “Everything I WISH they would have taught me in college before I started to teach” workshop.
* This course is offered at two course levels. Students enrolled in the MMEd program at VanderCook are eligible to enroll for the 500 course number. Students not enrolled in the MMEd program who wish to earn graduate credit as a MECA Continuing Education student should register for the four digit course number. The difference in credits earned and tuition cost is attributed to the difference in tuition rates for the MMEd and MECA Continuing Education programs. If you are unsure which section is best for you, please contact us directly at [email protected].
Instructor
Stan McGill
Stan McGill taught thirty-four years in secondary choral music education in Texas and Missouri. Professional positions include Texas Music Educators Association Vocal Chair, and President of both TMEA and Southwest American Choral Directors Association. He has served on numerous TMEA, TCDA, SWACDA and ACDA committees including Program Chair for the 2009, 2013, 2017, 2019, 2021 2023 and 2025 National ACDA Conferences. Additionally, McGill has served as Conference Manager for the NWACDA Division since 2019. He is active as an adjudicator, speaker, director and clinician throughout the United States, including adjunct professor at VanderCook College of Music in Chicago.
Mr. McGill, along with co-author Dr. Morris Stevens, wrote the “90 Days Sight Singing Success” series available through AMC Publications. Their middle school sight-reading methods book “18 Lessons to Sight Reading Success” is available through Hal Leonard as is their newest book series “Sight Reading Success: A Daily Workout for Developing Confident Choirs”, currently available for the SSA, SATB and SA voicings. His choral methods book “Beyond Singing”, co-authored with Elizabeth Volk, is also published by Hal Leonard. His choral arrangements are available through Shawnee Press and G. Schirmer and is editor of the Stan McGill Choral Series with Hal Leonard. He is a contributing author for the Hal Leonard/McGraw-Hill music textbook Voices in Concert.
Mr. McGill has been the choir director at First Christian Church-Garland, TX since 1982.
Mr. McGill has had extensive leadership service with ACDA His articles have been published in the Southwestern Musician, Common Times, Choral Journal, and Texas Sings. He has directed numerous honor choirs including all state choirs in Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Kentucky, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Tennessee. He directed the 2008 SWACDA 8-10 Boys Honor Choir in Kansas City. His choirs have performed nine times for TMEA, SWACDA and National ACDA Conventions and have made three European tours. A native of Sikeston, Missouri, Mr. McGill graduated from William Jewell College and received his master’s degree from Arizona State University.
In 2014, Mr. McGill received the “Choral Excellence Award” from the Texas Choral Directors Association, based on his contributions to choral music in Texas, mentorship and inspiration to colleagues and students, and continued advocacy for the future of choral singing. In 2019, McGill was honored as the first recipient of the National ACDA Volunteer Excellence Award given for years of dedication, leadership and untold hours of service to the American Choral Directors Association and its membership.