What Shall I Do with My Choir? (A practical approach to improving your choir and your rehearsal)
Wauwatosa Avenue Methodist Church
Presenter: Lee Erickson

Lee will demonstrate how to improve all aspects of choral singing and musical
interpretation while rehearsing any piece of music.  Concepts of healthy vocal
production, diction, intonation, phrasing, musicality, style (including chant),
rehearsal efficiency, consistency and a sense of humor will be addressed using
the workshop attendees as a lab choir. Suggestions for creating simple hymn
arrangements will also be discussed. This session will benefit directors and
singers of all levels of experience. Your questions will be welcome.
 
In his position as Director of the Milwaukee Symphony Chorus, Lee Erickson was
the holder of the Margaret Hawkins Chorus Director Chair.  Mr. Erickson was
appointed Associate Director of the Chorus in 1978, and assumed the position of
Director in 1994 after founder Margaret Hawkins’ death in 1993.  He retired from
the positional the end of the 2015-2016 season.  He has served on the Choral
Panel of the National Endowment of the Arts, is past Dean of the American Guild
of Organists, and served as Music Director a St. Anthony’s Church in Milwaukee
for thirty-five years.  In January 2008, Mr. Erickson was honored by the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music for his musical contribution to the greater Milwaukee community.  In March of 2008, he was named as one of the 2007 Artists
of the Year by the City of Milwaukee Arts Board.