Harmony College 2026

2026 DIRECTORS WORKSHOP

Dr. Don Campbell and Rich Lapp are working together to offer a one-of-a-kind workshop for directors, of all levels, from around the Northwest. 

In addition to the workshop, Don and Rich will be teaching classes and providing director coaching classes.

Make sure to check SCHED classes carefully.

dON AND rICH
Dr. Don Campbell and Rich Lapp

Course Description

This class is designed as an opportunity to address conducting and chorus leadership issues in a seminar format. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and share experiences with other directors from across the district. There may also be opportunities for private conducting lessons as time permits. If possible, have an idea what aspect you would like to work on. It may be something you are hearing in your chorus, something a judge told you in a contest evaluation, rehearsal techniques, or how to use gesture instead of talking to communicate with the chorus. 

There is always more to learn no matter where you are in your development.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will:

  • catch a greater vision of the importance of effective and meaningful gestures in conducting;
  • build skills in how to more effectively prepare for rehearsals through score study;
  • have found solutions to appropriate-level issues in their chorus;
  • hone techniques in conducting with greater synchronicity, Gestures of Syncopation, internal and external releases on any beat, and conducting compound and asymmetric meters;
  • demonstrate greater ability to use legato, staccato, marcato, and melding;
  • refine gestures that reflect the feelings of songs;
  • discover ways the student may be doing something that is a habit and not a tool.

SAMPLE 2026 SCHEDULE

Thursday

1-5:00pm – Introductions, open discussion, classes with Don and Rich
5-6:30 Dinner
6:30-9pm – Evening session together
Friday
9:00am-NOON – group and individual work, closing


HCNW Friday classes


Required Materials

  • Bring copies of music you would like to work on from your chorus’ current repertoire.
  • Bring videos of you conducting; preferably from the front in a rehearsal or from the front or side in a performance, contest, or rehearsal.
  • If you do not have a video, bring an audio recording to which you are comfortable conducting.
  • Copies of all the documents posted on SCHED site for this “class.”
  • A smartphone or other video recording camera or device

Course Outline

Though there is no fixed outline, it is clear from the lists above, there are many topics we can cover. We have freedom to explore many facets of the art of leading a chorus. Though we won’t solve all issues, we will have an interesting and stimulating time together.

Instructor Expectations

  • A willing and teachable spirit along with a confident attitude is necessary for every director—novice or expert. We’re here to provide opportunities for your development and success. Don’t let new ideas put you on the defensive. We’re here to work together.
  • We may offer suggestions that differ from other instruction you have previously received. Try it to the best of your ability—then when you get home, keep what works for you and throw out what doesn’t.
  • Ask questions. Your input, observations, and questions are essential to the success of the learning process.

A Buffet of Effective Aspects of Conducting

There are so many issues involved in conducting. As you think about our time together, below are “buffet” of issues you might want to consider. Feel free to peruse the list to do a self-evaluation. You could put a check mark in the circle to techniques you have a working grasp on or to discover techniques you’d like to explore.

Basic

  • posture and stance;
  • arm position—horizontal and vertical planes; and the three hinges (shoulder, elbow, and wrist);
  • basic conducting of 1, 2, 3, and 4 patterns in legato (smooth), staccato (short and detached), and marcato (heavy and accented) styles;
  • maintaining a steady beat pattern at slow, moderate and fast tempos;
  • starting a chorus on various beats (entrances);
  • stopping a chorus on various beats using touch and circle releases;
  • conducting dynamic changes—p, mp, mf, f, crescendo, decrescendo;
  • conducting accents;
  • mirroring and cueing with the left hand;
  • circle drill;

Intermediate

  • a review of basic conducting of 1, 2, 3, and 4 patterns in legato (smooth), staccato (short and detached), and marcato (heavy and accented) styles;
  • subdividing 2, 3, and 4 patterns;
  • starting a chorus on various beats and partial beats (entrances);
  • No break, short break, and long break fermatas;
  • Gesture of Syncopation (GoS);
  • a review of touch and circle releases;
  • developing internal and external releases;
  • continue to develop left- and right-hand independence
  • develop patterns for the compound meters 6, 9, and 12;
  • develop patterns for the asymmetric meters 5, 7, and 8 in preparation for the technique of melding;
  • demonstrate the character of the beat as it relates to the beat pattern and the song;
  • refinement of individual conducting style (within the parameters of proper conducting techniques);
  • develop the proper function and use of freestyle conducting;
  • how to affect tone with gesture;
  • how your demeanor supports or detracts from your gesture;
  • changing habits so they become tools;
  • achieving artistic moments that transcend techniques;
  • transferring ownership to the chorus.

 

For those who are looking for advanced topics:

Gesture

  • review Gesture of Syncopation (GoS);
  • review internal and external releases;
  • melding;
  • active and passive gestures;
  • ambidextrous conducting;
  • free-style conducting.
  • Is there something you are doing that is a habit and not a tool?

Elements of Artistry

  • affecting tone with gesture;
  • demonstrate the character of the beat as it relates to the beat pattern and the song;
  • refinement of individual conducting style (within the parameters of proper conducting techniques);
  • Achieving artistic moments that transcend techniques

Dr. Don Campbell is Professor Emeritus of Music and former Director of Choral Activities at Southern Wesleyan University in Central, South Carolina. As a guest conductor and clinician he has been to seventeen states, Canada, Scotland, The Netherlands, Germany, New Zealand, and Australia. In addition to teaching at SWU, he conducts the Chorale of the Greater Anderson Musical Arts Consortium, a group of 70 singers with professional orchestra. Don has been a barbershopper since 1979 and been on the faculty of Harmony University for 26 years—ten of those years as the dean of the Directors College. At HU, he has taught all Conducting Techniques, Vocal Techniques, Vocal Pedagogy, Warmup Techniques, Choral Methods, Music Theory, and the Music Educators Track. He has directed three barbershop choruses: the Hanford [California] Kingsmen Chorus (FWD Small Chorus Champions), the Mighty Oak Chorus [California] (founding director) and the Palmetto Statesmen Chorus in South Carolina.He is among those featured in the BHS book Visions of Excellence: A Dialog with the Finest Directors from the Barbershop Harmony Society. Don about Barbershop: “Throughout my career, I have performed music of all genres—from the classic styles of the Middle Ages to the 21st century, as well as pop, spirituals, gospel, world music, and jazz. Barbershop has taught me to put heart into all the music I do.” I love to talk to anyone about all things regarding conducting!”

Rich Lapp is Rich is directing Star Harmony Chorus, and heading with them to compete in St. Louis for the 2026 BHS International Contest this summer.

Rich a retired high school choral director with 34 years in the classroom. He concluded his final two years as a professional educator in the role of Supervisor of Music and Art for the Boise School District. In his retirement, he works primarily as a handyman, doing light construction and remodeling. He also loves spending time in choral music classrooms across the valley as a coach to choral directors and their students.  Rich began Barbershopping at the age of 17 and currently has 40 years on his BHS membership card. He has directed choruses in California, Idaho and Ohio over the past 5 decades. He has sung in many quartets over the years as both a lead and baritone and is an Evergreen District Seniors Quartet Champion with his current quartet, Chords On Delivery. Rich attended Harmony College twice as a young barbershopper and has since been on the faculty of Harmony University 4 times and Virtual Harmony University 2 times. Rich has been the Barbershoppper of the Year for multiple chapters and is a past Evergreen District Barbershoppper of the year.  Rich has been married to his lovely wife, Leni, for 41 years and they have 4 adult children and 6 adorable grandsons. 

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