In this user-friendly session, Seighman will demonstrate a variety of techniques that enhance musical autonomy and foster a sense of belonging for our singers. Emerging brain research has uncovered the many conscious and subconscious processes in our choirs, both between the conductor and the singers, and among the singers themselves. By guiding singers to take more responsibility for the ensemble’s rhythmic engine, conductors can leverage clinically observed phenomena such as emotional contagion and muscular bonding. This allows even closer synchronization and shared artistic intent through prediction and empathy. Ultimately, it helps us better understand our role as musical leaders which can lead to greater artistic freedom, improved student musicianship, and fostering more “eureka!” moments. There is even research on how this connects with teacher burnout. As conductors, we have always known that the whole is far greater than the sum of its parts. Science has finally caught up to us!
Target Audience
Choir, all levels
Additional Notes
Clinician Info
Gary Seighman
Trinity University
Gary Seighman is Professor, Director of Choral Activities, and Chair of the Music Department at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, one of the nation’s top private liberal arts universities. He is the recipient of several teaching awards, including the Most Innovative Programming Award from the Texas Choral Directors Association. His choirs have performed for the National Collegiate Choral Organization, the Texas Music Educators Association, and the 2026 Southwest ACDA conference. He is a regular guest artist with Worldstrides Performance for their Carnegie Hall festivals and has conducted across the world with multiple European tours, and 6 trips to East Asia conducting the Peking University Summer Opera Program, and performances throughout Taiwan and Japan. His book, The Choir Playbook: Tools for the Imaginative Conductor, was recently published by Meredith Music and GIA. He holds degrees from Westminster Choir College, the University of Oklahoma, and the University of Maryland.