SKU: GI.G-10678
A Philosophical and
Practical Approach to the
Choral Art. Composed
by Will Kesling. Music
Education. 472 pages. GIA
Publications #10678.
Published by GIA
Publications
(GI.G-10678).
ISBN
9781622776436.
Draw
ing from his five decades
of success as a conductor
and educator in the
choral field, Will
Kesling has compiled a
comprehensive choral
methods resource that
addresses every necessary
fundamental for achieving
artistry in the choral
art. Written in clear and
conversational language,
this resource covers:
Building a healthy and
beautiful choral sound
Dealing with vocal issues
Selecting repertoire and
programming concerts
Developing score study
skills and interpretive
insights Understanding
the characteristics of
musical periods and
composers Planning,
preparing for, and
running rehearsals The
Voices I Hear also
explores important but
often overlooked topics,
including a discussion of
performing sacred music
in secular education
settings, techniques for
performing
choral-orchestral works,
choral versus orchestral
conducting, and how to
become a true
“maestro.â€
Individual chapters also
function as standalone
topics of study. A
valuable read for
emerging and seasoned
conductors alike, The
Voices I Hear is an
expert study of the
aesthetic, intellectual,
and practical aspects of
the choral art. Dr. Will
Kesling is Professor of
Choral and Orchestral
Conducting at the
University of Florida,
where he has taught for
two decades. He has
conducted hundreds of
choral ensembles and
nearly fifty of the
world’s finest
symphony orchestras. His
ensembles have received
international attention
for their excellence and
musical expression. Â
Thank you, Dr. Kesling,
for the decade you gave
of yourself to write the
most complete and
comprehensive writing on
the topics of choral
techniques, methods, and
conducting I have seen.
It is in-depth yet
practical, to the point
of being a valuable
resource for both the
young conductors entering
the choral field to the
well-established
professionals. You have
given us a solid
foundation in all
significant areas of the
choral art, including,
among many others, the
production of beautiful
vocal tone, detailed
physical vocal
production, textual and
physical components of
English diction,
repertoire programming,
appropriate style,
interpretation and
phrasing, and a pathway
to successful conducting
of combined choral and
orchestral forces. Your
enormous and highly
successful career, with
worldwide performances
and numerous awards and
honors, has enabled you
to bring validity and
integrity to the entire
writing. —Donald
Neuen  Â
Distinguished Professor
Emeritus, UCLA Â Â
Former member of the
Robert Shaw Chorale Â
 Mr. Shaw’s
Assistant Conductor with
the Atlanta Symphony
Orchestra and Choruses
For more than 50 years,
Dr. Will Kesling has been
and continues to be a
prominent figure and
voice in the
International and
American choral
profession. His new book,
The Voices I Hear, is the
distillation of his long
and distinguished career
as a conductor and choral
music educator. The
driving and consuming
passion throughout
Kesling’s life is
the preparation and
performance of the
world’s rich and
diverse choral and
orchestral repertoire and
the education,
development, and growth
of those who perform and
conduct it. This book is
a summation of a lifetime
immersed in the choral
art and all its many
aspects. It overflows
with insights into the
choral art that will not
only instruct the
beginning conductor but
also will enlighten and
entertain the seasoned
professional conductor
and educator. It is
filled with wit, wisdom,
and practical advice to
all practitioners of the
choral arts. I
enthusiastically
recommend
Kesling’s
enlightening new book as
an important addition to
the choral pedagogy
bibliography and for use
as an invaluable new text
for choral practicum
classes for both graduate
and undergraduate
students. Dr. Kesling has
brought to the choral
profession significant
new insights to all
lovers of the choral art.
—Craig Jessop Â
 Professor of Music,
University of Utah Â
 Former Music
Director of the
Tabernacle Choir and
Orchestra at Temple
Square   and the
United States Air Force
Singing Sergeants Will
Kesling’s book,
The Voices I Hear, is
practical and
philosophical, useful and
inspirational, focused
and comprehensive. The
observations and advice
are based on his vast
personal experiences on
the podium with choirs
and orchestras, and the
book is a monumental
resource for both the
young conductor and the
veteran. Containing a
broad spectrum of musical
styles, composers, and
topics, Kesling’s
direct and practical
writing connects
immediately with
today’s choral
musician. Keep The Voices
I Hear nearby as there
will be many times down
the road where the
information and opinions
in Dr. Kesling’s
book will answer the
questions you have, as
well as the ones you
didn’t even know
to ask! —Jerry
Blackstone  Â
Professor Emeritus of
Music (conducting) and
Director of Choirs
(retired) Â Â
School of Music, Theatre
& Dance, University of
Michigan This is the
textbook I wish had been
available when I was
beginning my studies. It
is comprehensive in
scope, practical and
helpful in its
suggestions, and, perhaps
most surprising in a book
from an academic,
superbly written in clear
and powerful English.
Kesling speaks with
conviction, clarity, and
polish, and he finds
colorful and memorable
ways of making his points
and presents the material
from the perspective of
one who has done all
these things for decades
at a highly professional
level. I give this volume
the highest possible
recommendation.
—Daniel Gawthrop
  Composer &
Conductor.