Expanding Choral Repertoire: Strategies for Discovery and Diversification
Date
February 9-May 1, 2026
Online
Course Code
7166A | 545B
Credits
MECA: 3 | MMEd: 2
Tuition
$1194
Course Description
This course equips students with the tools and methodologies essential for broadening and deepening their awareness of choral repertoire. Traditional approaches to literature acquisition will be enhanced through the introduction of expanded research strategies and practical applications. Students will engage in detailed studies of international databases—such as MUSICA and related resources—alongside materials from choral institutions, professional associations, specialized publishers, distributors, and global organizations. The course culminates in the design of concert programs and curated resource collections to support each student’s future work as a choral conductor and educator.
This course is largely asynchronous – Classes do not meet virtually. Coursework is submitted by the listed due date. Two mandatory individual synchronous meetings with the instructor will be scheduled for each class participant. Meetings will be held via ZOOM, with video and written instruction sent separately.
*This course is available at two levels:
- MMEd Program Students: If you’re enrolled in the MMEd program at VanderCook, register for the 500-level course.
- MECA Continuing Education Students: If you’re not in the MMEd program but wish to earn graduate credit, register for the 7000-level course.
The difference in credits earned and tuition costs reflects the varying tuition rates between the MMEd and MECA Continuing Education programs. If you’re unsure which section is right for you, feel free to reach out to [email protected] for assistance.
Instructor
Paul Laprade is the President of Illinois ACDA (American Choral Directors Association), and is an active conductor, clinician, composer, and teacher. He has won several teaching awards, among these the Award for Teaching Excellence (Eastman School of Music) and the Faculty of the Year Award (Rock Valley College), and has taught choral music in the K-12 setting, and currently teaches choral literature at both the undergraduate and graduate levels in Illinois. He has lectured on the issues of musical appropriation in choral music in several venues, including the ATHIER Conference on Art and Humanities (Athens, Greece, 2022) and the International Conference on Music Aesthetics (Venice, 2020). His choral ensembles have performed at the White House for Presidents Bush, Clinton, and Obama. A former ACDA national chair for repertoire and editor for the Choral Literature in the Choral Journal, he is writing a textbook about choral literature/repertoire selection.


