Dr. Timothy Seelig

Review: In his third book for Shawnee Press, following the two best-sellers "The Perfect Blend" and "The Perfect Rehearsal," Timothy Seelig (former longtime director of the Turtle Creek Chorale in Dallas, professor at SMU, and current Director of Art at the Hope for Peace and Justice Center,) presents invaluable tools to organizing your choral program - whether you are a church choral conductor, or a school director. The Perfect Choral Workbook is organized into several chapters (reviewing your situation, planning ahead, rehearsing, communicating, vocal resources, post-concert tasks, etc.) with 48 'forms' to help you get organized. The book includes descriptions, practical uses, and samples of the form, and the CD-ROM includes blank versions of each (in Word and as PDFs) for you to print and use. Seelig covers every aspect of choral conducting, from the most exciting to the most mundane yet necessary tasks. Get yourself organized with this great new resource!

Songlist: Looking Back, Looking Ahead, Looking Around, Looking Inside...The Music, It's Time to Rehearse, Communication, After The Concert, Kitchen Sink, Lists, Vocal Resources, Additional Resources

Review: Recorded in Dallas in March, 2000, in the 11th year of the Chorus' existence, "American Rhapsody" is 14 powerful (accompanied) songs. Some are traditional songs, "Simple Gifts," "Black Is the Color of My True Love's Hair," "The Water is Wide;" some are family songs, "There Are No Mirrors In My Nana's House," "Sisters," "It Takes a Village to Raise a Child," "There Is a Season;" and some are healing songs, "Come to Me Mother," and "You Are the Light." All are beautifully composed, deeply felt-and sung from the heart. The over 100-strong TWCD is directed by Dr. Timothy Selig, accompanied by Anne Albritton with guest musicians. Good liner notes, and great music!

Songlist: Simple Gifts, Black is the Color of my True Love's Hair, Come In, The Water is Wide, Stopping By Woods, There are No Mirrors in My Nana's House, Sisters, It Takes A Village, Love is a Rain of Diamonds, Only Human, The Face of Love, There is A Season, Come To Me Mother, You Are the Light

Review: Change of Heart" was recorded at Dallas' Meyerson Symphony Center in March, 1997 at the close of TWCD's eighth season, and it is a celebration of love in its many forms. In addition to Dr. Timothy Selig, director, and Anne Albritton, accompanist and composer/arranger, we have guest artist Holly Near. We are given 13 songs here (actually more than that, "Love Is...," for instance is a medley of 8 love songs), all accompanied and beautifully and richly sung by the over 100 TWCD members. As with all TWCD CDs, the liner notes are beautifully done, extensive and touching.

Songlist: Change of Heart, Love Is..., My Romance / What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life, My True Love Has My Heart, I've Got You Under My Skin, The Sun Won't Stop, How To Handle A Woman, Heart We Will Forget Him, You'll Never Walk Alone, Love Changes Everything, Speak To the Child of Love, Great Peace March, Reprise: Change of Heart

Review: On April 5, 1998 The Women's Chorus of Dallas performed the music from this CD in Dallas; exactly 100 women on stage in authentic 1940s attire. The artistic director, and the only man at TWCD rehearsals, is Dr. Tim Selig. Their principal accompanist and arranger is Anne Albritton, whose piano graces all the songs. There are 17 great songs from the 40s here, but actually many more; "Train Medley," for instance, includes "Take the A Train," "Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe," "Chattanooga Choo-Choo," and "Choo-Choo Ch'Boogie." There's a wonderful booklet included with photos and dedications and memories. The audience, many of whom got through the 40s with the help of this wonderful music, loved it, and so will you!

Songlist: In the Mood, Big Band Bash, Come Rain or Come Shine, Sunny Side of the Street, Stormy Weather, Long Ago and Far Away, It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing), Flat Foot Floogie, Mood Indigo, Train Medley, Route 66, In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning, Thanks for the Memory, What I'll Do, For All I Know / My Buddy, I'll Be Seeing You, God Bless America

Review: The 120-voices strong TWCD, directed by Dr. Timothy Selig, closes its 10th season with this recording of its first major commissioned work, "Only Human." Composer Robert Seeley of the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus, and librettist Philip Littell spent many hours listening to the women of the chorus, and from that came over 30 pieces of poetry, of which 13 were set to music. All songs are performed with full orchestra. This is TWCD's sixth CD in addition to four collaborative CDs with the Turtle Creek Chorale, it has made its Carnegie Hall debut, and has received two GLAMA nominations. "Only Human" is a touching, monumental, deeply personal achievement.

Songlist: Sit By Me, The Prayer Tree, After the Long Afternoon, The Moon is Out, A Light, Mirror, Got A Match?, A Long Straight Stretch of Road, I Make My Way in the World, I Have the Prettiest Garden in East Texas, My Language, Only Human, In My Grandmother's Garden

Review: The 90 singers of the WCD, ably directed since 1994 by Dr. Selig, present a subscription concert series in addition to touring nationally. "Our Turn" is a sampling from their 5th Anniversary concert in June of 1994 called "We're Five!" There are 16 songs, with some light accompaniment by piano and other instruments. "Echo Song," "Sound the Trumpet," Mozart's "Alleluia," Brahms' "Ave Maria" Arron Copland's joyous "Ching-A-Ring Chaw," John Rutter's "For the Beauty of the Earth," Rossini's "Duetto Buffo di due Gatti," "Women's Medley," featuring the title tune, Helen Reddy's "I Am Woman" and David Shire's "I Want It All;" Suzanne Buhrer's hilarious "God Loves A Woman," Walter Hawkins' spiritual "I'm Goin' Up A Yonder," "Les Miserables" and Henley and Silbar's "Wind Beneath My Wings" are favorites. "Our Turn" is a strong collection of sweet sounds from the Lone Star State! Some light accompaniment.

Songlist: Echo Song, Sound the Trumpet!, Alleluia, Ave Maria, Come In, Ching-A-Ring Chaw, Nigra Sum, A Birthday, For The Beauty Of The Earth, Duetto Buffo Di Due Gatti, Women's Medley, God Loves a Woman, I'm Goin' Up A Yonder, Les Miserables, Wind Beneath My Wings, The Lord Bless You and Keep You

Review: Seasons of Dreams is the ninth recording of The Women's Chorus of Dallas and features Holiday music from the 2002-2003 season. There is a diverse repertoire represented on the recording, ranging from classical to pop.

Songlist: It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, Snowflakes, Before the Paling of the Stars, Noel des enfants qui n'ont pus de maisons, Season of Dreams, Jamaican Noel, Deck the Halls, Bashana Haba'ah, This Little Babe, Wolcome Yule, The Moon of Wintertime, Christmas...In About 3 Minutes, Hanukka Shalom, Away in a Manger, Still, Still Night, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, A Jingle Bell Christmas

Review: Rehearsal begins with the same, standard warm-ups. What do you do when the choir starts the repertoire and all of the beautiful singing heard during warm-ups goes out the window? It's obviously too late to run into your office to find a book with answers about choral technique! We have the cure for what ails you! Grab Tim Seelig's Quick Fixes: Prescriptions for Every Choral Challenge from the pocket of your choral folder, quickly identify the symptom in the index, read the plan of treatment, and immediately fix the problem .. right on the spot! This handy budget-stretching book is full of concepts that singers understand and can incorporate into their singing. You'll find that next time the singers reach that problem spot in the music, they will remember the prescription! Remedies without the side effects! This resource is just the insurance you need to provide the specific prescription for every choral vocal challenge. You'll be on the road to a strong, healthy performance!

Songlist: Posture/Alignment, Breathing, Phonation, Resonance, Articulation/Vowels, Blend, Intonation, Communication, Memorazition

Review: From the basics of posture and breathing to the final bow of your concert, The Perfect Blend takes you on an entertaining ride through vocal and choral technique. The book is full of warm-ups, old and new. It is organized in two parts: The Voice and The Choir. Its fresh, physical approach to singing focuses on vocal and choral tone; vocal and choral technique. The author asks, "Who should read this book? Anyone who sings; anyone who conducts; anyone whose warm-ups need a B-12 shot; anyone who is interested in new ways to approach vocal study; anyone looking for rehearsal tips; anyone who is open to new programming ideas; my Mom." Timothy Seelig's humorous writing style is an absolute delight to read!

Songlist: Warm 'er Up (or down) - There Is A Difference, Posture - Holding Your Musical Instrument, Motor - Rev Your Engines, Vibrator - The Most Powerful 3/4 Inch in the World, Registers - Head, Chest, Shoulders, Knees and Toes, Resonators - Woofers and Tweeters, Choral Singing - Electric Blender, TMI - Rehearsal Tips, Your Conducting Profile - Physician, Heal Thyself, TLC - Thing's They Didn't Teach You, Vocal Health - Soups to Nuts, The Aging Voice - It's Gonna Happen

Review: If it seems like you never have enough time for rehearsal, maybe what you really need is a different rehearsal style. The Perfect Rehearsal is a resource that will help maximize your rehearsal time to the fullest .. and lead to more efficient, effective, productive rehearsals... and to a better choir. This sequel to Dr. Seelig's The Perfect Blend takes you on an entertaining journey through the ins and outs of rehearsing your choir. You will never look at rehearsals the same way again. We promise.

Songlist: Part One: Planning the Trip - Before the First Rehearsal, 1. Why Are You Embarking on This Choral Journey, 2. What Kind of Conductor/Tour Guide Are You?, 3. Selecting the Destination, 4. Who Will Help You Along the Way?, 5. Mapping Out the Trip/Rehearsals, 6. Packing for the Trip - Physically and Emotionally, 7. Timing Is Everything, 8. Recruitment and Motivation for Those Traveling, Part Two: Hitting the Road - Rehearsals Begin, 9. Buckle Your Seatbelts, 10. Start Your Engines, 11. TMI and TLC in Rehearsal, 12. Vocal Health in Rehearsal, 13. Expect Detours!, 14. Maintaining Control, 15. What Happens If You Don't Arrive on Time?, 16. The Warm-up Before the Performance, Part Three: The Trip Home, 17. Saying 'Thank You' With Grace, 18. Evaluating the Trip and the Tour Guide, Part Four: Souvenirs - the Kitchen Sing(k), 19. Rehearsal Technique (Dr. Jo-Michael Scheibe), 20. To Memorize or Not to Memorize, 21. The Perfect Blend, 22. Not Your '50s Family Vacation

Review: It will make you think. It will make you laugh. It may change the way you approach your job as a choral director. The Perfect Blend provides an entertaining, yet practical approach to the voice and to the choir. Over 100 exercises, including photos to explain them, rehearsal and programming tips, vocal health and the aging voice, plus "things they didn't teach you in school." It all adds up to the perfect blend for any choral director. This 2 Hour DVD features the Turtle Creek Chorale and One Achord, of the TCC.

Songlist: Appetizer: Posture, Soup: Breathing, Salad: Phonation, Entree: Resonance, Dessert: Blend, See Actual Vocal Folds in Action, The Things They Didn't Teach You In School, The Quest Unending (Performance by Turtle Creek Chorale), Mary Sat a Rockin' (Performance by Turtle Creek Chorale)