Dr. Russell Robinson

Review: A complete sourcebook for choral directors of all levels, as well as choral methods classes. Contains 211 warm-ups, enough for years of rehearsals, with information on usage, photos illustrating correct posture and vowel formation, and a well organized index to make finding the right warm-up a snap. Belongs in every choral director's library.

Songlist: Why Warm-up?, Warm-up Considerations for Different Age Groups, The Warm-up Before the Performance, Rest and the Voice, Physical Warm-ups, Vowel Formation, Warm-ups to Begin the Rehearsal, Transitional Warm-ups, Warm-ups with Fun Texts and Syllables, Chordal Warm-ups, Warm-ups Featuring Interval Training, Jazz/Pop/Swing Warm-ups, Just for Church Choirs, Rounds

Review: Here's a sobering thought for many a band or orchestra director: you've been given the "opportunity" to work with a choir! Whether or not the decision was made by you or for you, moving from the realm of Sousa or Tchaikovsky to the land of sopranos can be a disconcerting prospect for even the most experienced (not to mention even-keeled) band or orchestra director. But fear not-trained instrumentalist turned choral director (and educator, clinician, composer, and arranger) Russ Robinson, has written I Know Sousa, Not Sopranos! to help you survive your foray into this strange land. Drawn from his very successful clinics on this subject, Dr. Robinson's goals with this guide are simple-to show those educators who have been trained in instrumental music that they already possess many of the musical skills necessary to teach choral music, and to present, in a straightforward and accessible manner, knowledge and awareness of key areas unique to directing a choir.

Songlist: Foreword, Stranger in a Not-So-Strange Land, Let's Start at the Very Beginning, Good to Great, My SOP for the SAB is MIA, And in the End, Resources for the Choral Director, Publishers of Educational Choral Music, About the Author

Review: An exceptional DVD showing practical and innovative rehearsal techniques for your choral classroom. Suited for choirs of all levels. There are helpful hints and ideas for every choral director and is geared for maintaining student interest and maximizing their musicianship. This program is a first-class presentation showing actual footage of Dr. Robinson in workshop events as he teaches directors creative rehearsal techniques. You will see him discuss the challenges of today's choral classroom with candor and humor, while addressing the real problems directors face and presenting practical solutions. This is a video designed for the director, not the student, and is instructional in nature. About 45 minutes in length, this piece provides a "workshop in a box," which directors and teachers can watch at home, in seminar situations, or in college methods classes. Finally a practical help for conductors of all levels!

Songlist: Live Demonstrations, Warm-ups that work, Effective Discipline, Meaningful Conducting, Humor in Rehearsal

Review: 'Jazz Style and Improvisation for Choirs' is an exceptional DVD designed to assist your students in achieving a comfort level witht he performance of jazz stlye and improvisation techniques within your choral program. Your students will learn and sing along with other students and on their own using this interactive DVD. Subjects and tecniques covered include: Chords Within the Blues Stle, Use of Scat Syllables, Improvising on Three Notes, Traing Fours - Listening and Learning, Putting It All Together, and Ballad Style.

Songlist: Introduction, Chords in the Blues, Adding Jazz/Scat Syllables, Part 1, Adding Jazz/Scat Syllables, Part 2, Using Three Notes to Improvise, Call and Response, Trading Fours, Part 1, Trading Fours, Part 2, Putting It All Together (Let's Sing Some Jazz!), Jazzin' it Up! (and Jazzin' it Down!), Days of Wine and Roses, Conclusion

Review: This extraordinary DVD is packed with ideas and techniques especially for middle school and junior high choral directors, or for choral music education students. Filmed both during a convention appearance and in a classroom, Dr. Russell Robinson (along with a demonstration choir from Eisenhower Middle School, FL) shows us new and tried-and-true ways to make young and developing singers look and sound better. Learn how to take your singers' energy and put it to great use!

Songlist: Introduction, Teaching Middle School Choirs, Uniqueness of This Age Group, Middle School Boys and "Uncertain" Singers, Appropriate Literature and Voicings, Attention Spans, Discipline and Accurare Reinforcement, Rehearsal Techniques with Demonstration Choir, Warm-Ups, "Sing We and Chant It", "Shenandoah", Five Parts to a Warm-Up, Warming Down with the "oo" Vowel, Warming Up with Other Vowels, Diction Exercise, Chordal Warm-Up, Thoughts on the Pre-Performance Warm-Up, Pre-Performance Warm-Up for "Sing We and Chant It", Performance of "Sing We and Chant It", Closing Comments

Review: Sixteenth century Italian composer Adriano Banchieri must have had quite the sense of humor. The classic light-hearted concert work "Counterpoint Of The Animals" has been a staple in choral repertoire for decades. Now Russell Robinson brings us a new setting that will add a touch of classy fun to any serious concert. "All Ye Who Love Music" was given its English text by Thomas Oliphant in 1837. This arrangement has been lowered one step from the original key of G major to F major. The soprano (Part 1) melody is basically the same; however, Parts II and III have been arranged iin such a way as to limit the range and for ease of singing, while retaining the sound and flavor of the original. As will all Renaissance madrigals, this piece should be sung lightly and lyrically. The three-part original "A Song Of Peace And Harmony" imparts a message of peace and harmony in an easy-to-sing yet highly musical choral work. With a relevant message for today, this lighter concert piece is especially programmable. The well-known song "Psallite" by Praetorius from the German Renaissance period has long been a part of our choral repertoire. Russell Robinson has created an easy-to-sing SATB setting as well as a three-part men's edition. A perfect way to present standard choral repertoire to your developing choirs.

Songlist: Counterpoint of the Animals, All Ye Who Music Love, A Song of Peace and Harmony, Sing Hallelu!, Sing And Rejoice

Review: A sumptuous edition of an the cappella standard "April Is In My Mistress' Face" from the madrigal repertoire by Thomas Morley. Available for 3-part mixed voices, Russell Robinson's new adaptation features flowing contrapuntal lines, appropriate vocal ranges, and tasteful editor's marks for a truly authentic performance. Enjoyable to sing, valuable to teach, and splendid to hear. "Fair Phyllis" is another well-edited arrangement by Russell Robinson from the madrigal repertoire. Sung a cappella, or with the piano, the men's part spans only six notes in an easy range for changing voices. Charming secular text, light polyphonic texture, changing meters, and contrasting dynamics. Fair Phyllis is perfect as a first madrigal or as a Renaissance feature on any program. "Sing We And Chant It" - Introduce your 3-part choir to madrigal singing with this wonderful new edition of the Thomas Morley classic designed especially for young singers by Russell Robinson. Reduced to three voice parts, this edition still sounds full and captures all the spirit and joy of madrigal singing. Suitable for large choirs as well as small groups. Add this work to your choral library and use it year after year. An excellent teaching piece...but perform it at concert and festival time, too.

Songlist: Now Is The Month Of Maying, How Merrily We live, Fair Phyllis, Sing We And Chant It, April Is In My Mistress' Face, Fair Phyllis, Now Is The Month Of Maying, How Merrily We live

Review: "Now is the Month of Maying" - Morley's famous madrigal is arranged perfectly for 3-part mixed voices. Excellent for developing choirs and small vocal ensembles. Limited range male part. "How Merrily We Live" - Another well-edited arrangement by Russell Robinson of a light and spirited work from the madrigal repertoire. It's the perfect choice for any SSA or 3-part mixed choir, with or without experience in madrigal singing. May be performed a cappella or with piano doubling the voices. Perfect for developing part singing in today's treble and mixed choirs. "Fair Phyllis" - Another well-edited arrangement by Russell Robinson from the madrigal repertoire. Sung a cappella, or with the piano, the men's part spans only six notes in an easy range for changing voices. Charming secular text, light polyphonic texture, changing meters, and contrasting dynamics. Fair Phyllis is perfect as a first madrigal or as a Renaissance feature on any program. "Counterpoint of the Animal" - Sixteenth century Italian composer Adriano Banchieri must have had quite the sense of humor. This classic light-hearted concert work has been a staple in choral repertoire for decades. Now Russell Robinson brings us a new setting that will add a touch of classy fun to any serious concert. "My Bonnie Lass" - This arrangement of a favorite Thomas Morley madrigal, a popular choice in the 3-part voicing, is now available for SATB and TBB choirs. Bright tonalities and buoyant contrapuntal textures display the sound of Renaissance choral music. Another fine Robinson edition.

Songlist: My Bonnie Lass, Now is the Month of Maying, How Merrily We Live, Fair Phyllis, Counterpoint of the Animal

Review: Some choral classics from the Renaissance period. First published in 1603, the quintessential John Dowland madrigal "Weep You No More Sad Fountains" has been newly edited by Russell Robinson. SATB and 3-part mixed choirs will enjoy the lush texture and rich harmonic structure, which exemplifies music of the Renaissance era, and appreciate the high quality of Dr. Robinson's tidy edition. Solid choral repertoire. Long a standard in the choral repertoire, Palestrina's "Adoramus Te" continues to be a favorite for contest or festival. Range is excellent for the SATB junior high choir. Sixteenth century Italian composer Adriano Banchieri must have had quite the sense of humor. The classic light-hearted concert work "Counterpoint Of The Animals" has been a staple in choral repertoire for decades. Now Russell Robinson brings us a new setting that will add a touch of classy fun to any serious concert. Glorious polyphony soars in this edition of Victoria's "O Magnum Mysterium". Long melismas and fugal entrances are part of the beauty of this great Renaissance work. For contest, festival or concert use.

Songlist: Two Renaissance Chorals (Adoramus Te / Ave Maria), O Magnum Mysterium, Fa Una Canzona, Counterpoint of the Animals, Weep You No More, Sad Fountains, Adoramus Te

Review: Six accessible a cappella arrangements especially for 3-Part Mixed choirs.

Songlist: All Ye Who Music Love, April Is In My Mistress' Face, How Merrily We Live, In These Delightful Pleasant Groves, My Bonnie Lass, Sing We and Chant It.

Review: Quick Start Choral Warm-Ups provides an easy and efficient way to begin each rehearsal. Twenty sequences, each consisting of four components (Warming Down, Warming Up, Diction, and Chordal), prepare the voice and the mind for producing a beautiful choral sound. The Director Edition contains all of the vocal parts and piano accompaniments, in addition to a detailed introduction and User's Guide. The Singer Edition, which includes the vocal parts, is octavo size, designed to fit comfortably in choral folders all year long.

Songlist: Warming Down, Warming Up, Diction, Chordal

Review: Warm-ups by the Dozen utilizes proven techniques and creative exercises to prepare choirs effectively for rehearsals or performances. The set includes a dozen warm-ups designed and sequenced by noted choral educator Dr. Russell Robinson. This guide should be a part of the daily repertoire for every choir.

Songlist: Sing Hallelu!, Warm-Ups by the Dozen (Set 2)

Review: Warm-ups by the Dozen utilizes proven techniques and creative exercises to prepare choirs effectively for rehearsals or performances. The set includes a dozen warm-ups designed and sequenced by noted choral educator Dr. Russell Robinson. This guide should be a part of the daily repertoire for every choir.

Songlist: Sing Hallelu!, Warm-Ups by the Dozen (Set 2)

Review: Warm-ups by the Dozen utilizes proven techniques and creative exercises to prepare choirs effectively for rehearsals or performances. The set includes a dozen warm-ups designed and sequenced by noted choral educator Dr. Russell Robinson. This guide should be a part of the daily repertoire for every choir.

Songlist: Sing Hallelu!, Warm-Ups by the Dozen (Set 2)