The Choral Director's Toolbox

This week on The Choral Director’s Toolbox, William Baker addresses a topic many conductors would rather avoid: liability. Sparked by an attempted legal claim from a volunteer singer, Today’s Topic outlines practical, essential safeguards every choral organization—large or small—should have in place. From insurance and written contracts to audition documentation and youth protection policies, this episode offers clear, prudent guidance to protect your ensemble, your leadership, and your mission.

In Today’s Question, a church music director asks about forming a hymn selection committee. The answer is direct, thought-provoking, and sure to spark conversation about professional leadership, liturgical integrity, and the purpose of congregational song.

Today’s Inspiration features “He’ll Make a Way” by Byron Smith, performed by the William Baker Festival Singers—a vibrant gospel selection for SATB choir with piano and optional rhythm section.

In this week’s episode of The Choral Director’s Toolbox, William Baker addresses a difficult but important reality of choral life: when and how to step away from an ensemble with honesty, professionalism, and integrity. Framing choral participation as a covenantal relationship, he offers thoughtful guidance for singers and leaders facing unavoidable changes, conflict, or resignation, emphasizing the long-term impact such decisions have on people, institutions, and the art itself.

Today’s Topic explores best practices for resigning responsibly, minimizing disruption, communicating truthfully, honoring commitments whenever possible, and preserving relationships within the choral community. Today’s Question considers the role of printed concert programs, balancing cost, content, and promotional value, with practical recommendations for what information best serves both audiences and organizations. Today’s Inspiration features O Crux by Knut Nystedt, performed by the St. Olaf Choir under the direction of Kenneth Jennings.

In this week’s episode of The Choral Director’s Toolbox, William Baker explores the powerful role that ritual and tradition play in shaping the identity, continuity, and emotional life of a choral ensemble. Through personal reflection and long-standing practices of the Festival Singers, he illustrates how shared traditions create belonging, reinforce values, and inspire renewed commitment to excellence across generations of singers.

Today’s Topic examines how intentional rituals foster pride, connection, and continuity within a choral “family,” and why it is the responsibility of the ensemble’s leader to protect and honor these traditions. Today’s Question addresses the practical challenge of lost rehearsals due to severe weather, offering thoughtful strategies for planning, recovery, and—most importantly—ensuring singer safety. Today’s Inspiration features "Wessobrunn Prayer" by Edmund Joliffe, performed by the William Baker Festival Singers.

The episode concludes with updates on upcoming Festival Singers performances and continuing work of the Choral Foundation.

In this week’s episode of The Choral Director’s Toolbox, Dr. William Baker reflects on the unique power of the choir festival as both an artistic catalyst and a strategic tool for community engagement. Drawing from a recent multi-ensemble festival experience, he explores how thoughtfully curated choral gatherings can energize singers, expand audiences, strengthen inter-ensemble relationships, and provide invaluable promotional momentum for every participating organization.

Today’s Question addresses repertoire selection for folk, spiritual, and multicultural music, with a focused discussion on authenticity as the single most important criterion in choosing arrangements. Today’s Inspiration features Moses Hogan's powerful spiritual "My God Is So High," performed by the William Baker Festival Singers.

In this week’s episode of The Choral Director’s Toolbox, Dr. William Baker reflects on one of the perennial challenges of choral leadership: sustaining motivation during the long, gray stretch of winter. Drawing from decades of professional experience, he reminds us that motivation is created by keeping singers engaged, performing regularly, and feeling the forward momentum of meaningful work.

Today’s Topic explores practical strategies for maintaining ensemble energy through consistent performance opportunities, creative community engagement, and visible leadership commitment. Today’s Question takes a turn toward listening habits, as William shares his rediscovered love for vinyl recordings and offers practical guidance for anyone interested in building a satisfying home LP setup. Today’s Inspiration features James Erb’s beloved arrangement of Shenandoah, performed by the St. Olaf Choir under the direction of Kenneth Jennings.

Submit a listener question to [email protected].

This week on The Choral Director’s Toolbox, William Baker reflects on “The Juggler,” a powerful reminder that excellence in conducting, and in life, comes from personal responsibility, perseverance, and a willingness to do the hard work, even after dropping the balls thousands of times.

In Today’s Question, a church music director asks how to navigate conflict and competition surrounding solo opportunities. The response offers clear, practical guidance for restoring unity, refocusing on service, and rebuilding a healthy choral culture.

Today’s Inspiration features "Good Friday Anthems" by Russell Schulz-Widmar, performed by the William Baker Festival Singers. The selection is haunting, spare, and deeply moving music that rewards thoughtful, committed singing.

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Welcome to the first Choral Director’s Toolbox episode of 2026. This week, host William Baker reflects on resolutions. Not the grand, sweeping kind, but the small, intentional practices that can lead to meaningful change in our lives and our choral communities. From quiet preparation before rehearsal to intentional care for singers and colleagues, this episode invites conductors to begin the year grounded, generous, and focused.

In Today’s Question, a first-year community chorus director asks how publicly sharing political opinions may affect leadership, recruitment, and community trust. The response offers thoughtful guidance on balancing personal convictions with professional responsibility.

Today’s Inspiration features “The Glory of the Father” by Norwegian composer Egil Hovland, performed by the William Baker Festival Singers, a luminous a cappella work well suited for Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany.

New episodes every Monday morning. Submit a listener question to [email protected].

As we come to the close of the year, The Choral Director’s Toolbox offers a special Christmas edition, airing December 22 and again on December 29. In place of our usual format, Dr. William Baker invites members of the Choral Foundation faculty to share Christmas-time choral works that hold deep personal and musical meaning.

This reflective and joyful episode features favorite seasonal selections introduced by Thomas Dixon, Jennifer Lahasky, James Cordell, Dr. Jamea Sale, Ed Frazier Davis, Christine Freeman, and Dr. Baker himself. From quiet wonder and tender lullabies to prophetic hope and gospel exuberance, these pieces illuminate the many emotional and spiritual dimensions of Christmas.

With no listener question and no single “Today’s Inspiration,” this special edition becomes a curated musical meditation that honors memory, community, and the enduring power of choral song. We invite you to listen, reflect, and return to it again as the year turns and a new season begins.

In this special Episode 50 of The Choral Director’s Toolbox, we pause at year’s end to reflect on the ideas that resonated most deeply with our listeners in 2025. This retrospective episode revisits three of Dr. William Baker’s most beloved topic presentations: Damns of Distinction, The Pearly Gates Tavern, and Professionalism. Together, these reflections offer wisdom, humor, and timeless perspective on leadership, artistry, and the values that shape choral excellence. This episode stands as a thoughtful moment of reflection celebrating the conversations, convictions, and craftsmanship that continue to define The Choral Director’s Toolbox.

In Episode 48 of The Choral Director’s Toolbox, host Dr. William Baker takes a lighthearted but meaningful look at "The Ghosts of Christmas Presents," the sometimes awkward expectations surrounding holiday gift-giving in choirs and music programs. With warmth and humor, Dr. Baker shares lessons learned from experience and offers practical ways to foster genuine gratitude and generosity in the season of giving. This week’s listener question tackles concert etiquette. How to help audiences understand and enjoy the concert experience with grace and good manners. Today’s inspiration is Donald Fraser’s elegant setting of "This Christmastide" (Jessye’s Carol), performed by The William Baker Festival Singers from their album Images of Wonder. Join us for an episode full of warmth and wisdom for the holiday season.