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Episode 235: The Technique of Expressive Singing with Donald Brinegar
I often see “technique” and “expression” discussed as opposite sides of the coin. This couldn’t be further from the truth. The technique UNLOCKS the expressive capacity. Don’s past appearances on tuning systems and pitch matching have been very popular with colleagues. Links below.
Many singers and conductors focus on interpretation and expression, but without the right technical foundation, true artistry can never fully develop. Imagine trying to teach a singer how to be expressive—without first ensuring they have the technical control to execute it. That’s like asking someone to paint a masterpiece before they even know how to hold a brush. In this episode of The Choralosophy Podcast, I sit down with Donald Brinegar to explore how structure and technique lay the foundation for expressive, effortless singing. We dive into breath efficiency, resonance, articulation, and mental clarity—all crucial elements in developing a truly flexible and expressive voice. Don recently released this concept as something he calls a “nested hierarchy” with the acronym “APROARTE” in a book under that name.
Key Topics We Discuss:
If you’re passionate about helping singers reach their full potential, this episode is packed with practical takeaways.
Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions.
Tune in, and have your thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself with your related ideas and experiences on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com Also, don’t forget to grab a reading rope for your classroom wall from the shop! Music Reading Rope
Clinician/Presenter Requests
Support the Show/Bonus Materials
Choralosophy Community Blog
Merch Store!
Visit Kaleidescope Today!
www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!
Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok!
For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!
Sign up for an annual membership and save over $50 by entering Choralosophy at checkout! Save 15% on monthly or annual subscriptions.
Donald Brinegar is a conductor, tenor soloist, voice instructor, educator and master class clinician. Professor Emeritus of Music at Pasadena City College, Brinegar directed the Choral Studies program at PCC for 36 years. Brinegar also conducts the Donald Brinegar Singers, a community choral ensemble in Pasadena, California, Director of Choruses for the Pasadena Symphony and POPS, and adjunct professor of voice at PCC.
During the summers he is an adjunct professor of conducting and voice in the Cal State Los Angeles masters program in Choral conducting. Brinegar has published five book on Choral Music. His book “Pitch Perfect: A Theory and Practice of Choral Intonation” was released in December 2019 and has already been hailed as a singular contribution in the field of Choral Music. “Conducting Primer: Seven Principles of Choral Conducting” was published in May of 2020 and “Conducting Primer in Practice” was published in June 2020. Both books have received international critical acclaim.
Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.com
Don’s Past Appearances!
View this profile on Instagram
Choralosophy Podcast (@choralosophy) • Instagram photos and videos
RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!
@choralosophypodca
.
View all episodes
By Christopher M Munce
4.6
130130 ratings
I often see “technique” and “expression” discussed as opposite sides of the coin. This couldn’t be further from the truth. The technique UNLOCKS the expressive capacity. Don’s past appearances on tuning systems and pitch matching have been very popular with colleagues. Links below.
Many singers and conductors focus on interpretation and expression, but without the right technical foundation, true artistry can never fully develop. Imagine trying to teach a singer how to be expressive—without first ensuring they have the technical control to execute it. That’s like asking someone to paint a masterpiece before they even know how to hold a brush. In this episode of The Choralosophy Podcast, I sit down with Donald Brinegar to explore how structure and technique lay the foundation for expressive, effortless singing. We dive into breath efficiency, resonance, articulation, and mental clarity—all crucial elements in developing a truly flexible and expressive voice. Don recently released this concept as something he calls a “nested hierarchy” with the acronym “APROARTE” in a book under that name.
Key Topics We Discuss:
If you’re passionate about helping singers reach their full potential, this episode is packed with practical takeaways.
Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions.
Tune in, and have your thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself with your related ideas and experiences on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com Also, don’t forget to grab a reading rope for your classroom wall from the shop! Music Reading Rope
Clinician/Presenter Requests
Support the Show/Bonus Materials
Choralosophy Community Blog
Merch Store!
Visit Kaleidescope Today!
www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!
Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok!
For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!
Sign up for an annual membership and save over $50 by entering Choralosophy at checkout! Save 15% on monthly or annual subscriptions.
Donald Brinegar is a conductor, tenor soloist, voice instructor, educator and master class clinician. Professor Emeritus of Music at Pasadena City College, Brinegar directed the Choral Studies program at PCC for 36 years. Brinegar also conducts the Donald Brinegar Singers, a community choral ensemble in Pasadena, California, Director of Choruses for the Pasadena Symphony and POPS, and adjunct professor of voice at PCC.
During the summers he is an adjunct professor of conducting and voice in the Cal State Los Angeles masters program in Choral conducting. Brinegar has published five book on Choral Music. His book “Pitch Perfect: A Theory and Practice of Choral Intonation” was released in December 2019 and has already been hailed as a singular contribution in the field of Choral Music. “Conducting Primer: Seven Principles of Choral Conducting” was published in May of 2020 and “Conducting Primer in Practice” was published in June 2020. Both books have received international critical acclaim.
Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.com
Don’s Past Appearances!
View this profile on Instagram
Choralosophy Podcast (@choralosophy) • Instagram photos and videos
RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!
@choralosophypodca
.
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