Author, Conductor,
Teacher, Clinician
Dr. Joel Plaag
Audiobook Now Available
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ABOUT ME
I've always been fascinated about the process of learning to conduct and lead rehearsals. I love rehearsals, actually. It's where I feel most authentic. My goal now is to help other choir directors connect with their inner selves, so that we can quickly learn to lead more effective, exciting and fun rehearsals and not have to spend years struggling to find that authentic self like I did.
I started leading church choirs many years ago, and hold degrees in Music Education and Conducting with a great deal of both orchestral and choral conducting experience. I taught college for a long time, but my love for helping others won out and I joined Cypress Creek Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) as Director of Traditional Worship. It's a role I have a lot of pride in, as I love my bell choirs, my chancel choir and community chorus.
A few years ago, giving a workshop on conducting, one of my handbell choir members strongly encouraged me with those simple words. "You should write that down!" It nagged at me and awakened my love of writing that had taken a back seat, as our hobbies often do.
Now, two books in and a third on the way, it seems there's a lot to talk about in the world of conducting, directing and leading rehearsal. I hope you'll come along with me as we explore what I think is the most wonderful art of all - the art of rehearsal.
I'm a Choir Director??!
Poogie the Pup Publishing, 2020
The nuts-and-bolts book on conducting. I discuss why we sing, the mechanics of conducting, preparing for rehearsal, rehearsing the choir, and, of course, all of the other things we do. We talk about patterns, how to set up the rehearsal room, warm-ups, and even how to mark the music.
Singing in the Moment
Poogie the Pup Publishing, 2021
Our most difficult critic, our best ally and our most difficult adversary in directing choirs is with us all the time - our selves. I talk about how to treat ourselves and how to get through some of the inner struggles that plague all of us in the arts.
BUY SINGING IN THE MOMENT on Amazon ($19.95 USD)
Caring for Your Choir
Poogie the Pup Publishing, 2023
Preparing for rehearsal, the library, getting ready for concerts, dealing with problems in concerts, dealing with rejection, and, of course, caring for your choir are all covered in my latest book. Though I wrote this one specifically for volunteer choir directors, those in schools will find useful ideas, too.
Available starting in September on Amazon or wherever books are sol.d.
Playlist of live reading Singing in the Moment
Events
WHERE IS JOEL?
October 25-26
October 28
10AM
Music Conference Alberta
MacEwan University, Edmonton
www.musicconferenceab.ca
Discovering The Creative Within: a conversation with conductor Dr. Joel Plaag.
The Pearl Fincher Museum Volunteer Guild
December 8
7:00 PM
May 4
7:00 PM
Handel's Messiah with the Cypress Creek Community Chorale - the Centrum - 6823 Cypresswood Dr., Spring
Requiem for the Living - the Cypress Creek Community Chorale - the Centrum, 6823 Cypresswood Dr., Spring
