Empowering the Next Generation of Choral Leaders by Chris Maunu

"Students leave not just as better singers, but as more empowered versions of themselves—ready to take what they’ve discovered back to their schools, their communities, and their lives."

In March 2025, I had the tremendous honor of serving as the conductor of the ACDA National 11–12 Honor Choir in Dallas, Texas. As I continue to reflect on the experience, I’m reminded that my role was not just to help singers execute music at the highest level—it was to create a container where artistry and humanity could flourish together.

Throughout an intense four-day journey, I invited these exceptional young artists to go beyond the notes and rhythms and explore what it means to be an artist-leader in today’s world. Though rooted in the honor choir experience, these reflections speak to the heart of choral artistry in any context—from the elementary classroom to the collegiate ensemble, from festival settings to daily rehearsals.

Two themes rose to the surface more clearly than any others:

The Journey of Mastery and Listening as a Path to Understanding.

The Journey of Mastery

From our first downbeat together, I reminded the singers that mastery is never a destination—it’s a mindset. One of the greatest things we can teach young artists is that growth doesn’t end at the “perfect” performance. Real mastery is about curiosity, discipline, humility, and the drive to keep reaching, especially when you think you’ve arrived.

Throughout the week, we leaned into the discomfort that comes with deep work: refining tone, balancing textures, shaping phrases with intricate nuance, and pushing through exhaustion. But I was careful not to praise a “job done.” Instead, I highlighted moments of transformation. I said things like:

“Did you feel how that unified breath changed the whole color of the sound?” That wasn’t just expressive—it was in alignment with our emotional intent.”

By reframing achievement as the result of intentional process rather than talent alone, the singers began to embrace the joy of vulnerability and fearless risk-taking. We celebrated the process of music-making—the messy, courageous journey toward something meaningful.

And I watched it shift. I saw young singers take more ownership of their artistry. They weren’t waiting to be told what to fix—they were initiating musical ideas, adjusting balance collaboratively, listening differently. They began to see that mastery is not about being the best; it’s about being committed to the work, the people, and the moment.

Listening as a Path to Understanding

In this insanely talented choir of 300, our most profound work wasn’t just musical—it was human. Part of that transformation began with a work I composed entitled Silentium.

This piece is a masterclass in restraint. It invites singers into a world of veiled thought and inner reflection—a world where the deepest truths aren’t shouted, but quietly carried. The text says:

“Speak not, lie hidden, and conceal the way you dream, the things you feel…”

I asked the singers to sit with this thought in context of bring the piece to life:

“As human beings, we have a deep tendency to outsource ourselves—our thoughts, our opinions, our values. But what might we discover if we quiet the noise around us and turn inward with radical curiosity?”

Then I shared my own story—how, in high school, I poured myself into sports, chasing approval and burying my love for music because it didn’t fit the mold. How I didn’t even begin as a music major in college. It took a professor who believed in me—who saw something I hadn’t yet owned in myself—to change the trajectory of my life.

I told them that I’ve spent much of my life learning to stop running from my authentic self. That this vocation is so much more than a job to me. It’s personal. The singers I stand in front of are a mirror. They remind me that there is a fountain of strength in the collective voice. That not all truths need a spoken explanation. That some of the most courageous acts of artistry come from shared humanity—not spectacle.

The room changed. The air felt different—charged with trust and quiet courage. We were no longer just rehearsing; we were building something special together.

Singers came forward during breaks to share their own stories—about times they felt unseen, misunderstood, or afraid to show their full selves. Through a simple act of vulnerability, intertwined with the gift of the choral art, it became safe. The rehearsals became sacred spaces of shared purpose.

Even weeks later, I continue to receive messages from singers and parents—updates about college decisions, solo festivals, and life changes. Some wrote to say they’ve started taking bold steps they used to avoid. Others said they’re finally giving themselves permission to pursue their passions. A student gave me permission to share a portion of her message.

“Your honesty gave me the courage to trust my voice—and during those rehearsals, I felt emotions I’ve never experienced in my life. Now I know, without a doubt, that I’m meant to be a music educator.”

These moments—this deep, human work—are why I conduct.

It’s about so much more than the performance. It’s about creating communities where artistry, vulnerability, and leadership intersect. Where students leave not just as better singers, but as more empowered versions of themselves—ready to take what they’ve discovered back to their schools, their communities, and their lives.

And when that happens, the music doesn’t end with the concert. It echoes across rehearsal rooms, classrooms, and beyond.

What Makes a Guest Conductor Truly Effective?

This experience, like many before it, reaffirmed what I believe makes guest conducting not just impactful—but transformational.

In any guest conducting role, a great repertoire, engaging podium presence, excellent conducting technique, and a masterful pedagogy are essential—these are the foundation upon which any successful musical experience is built. But what elevates an honor choir from simply “good” to truly transformational goes beyond the fundamentals. It’s a few key differentiators that create an atmosphere where artistry, vulnerability, and leadership flourish together. These are some of the elements that turn rehearsals into life-changing experiences:

• Building trust faster than feels possible – Establishing emotional and psychological safety from the very first rehearsal.

• Making reflection a powerful tool – Exploring the why through personal insight, group discussion, and intentional silence.

• Holding space for vulnerability and risk-taking – Model vulnerability and authenticity, thereby creating room for students’ full selves to show up.

• Inspiring hunger for what is possible – Igniting the desire to grow far beyond what is imaginable.

• Prioritizing meaning alongside technique – Balancing technical excellence with human connection.

• Creating a sense of ownership – Giving singers agency and voice in the process.

• Affirming the individual within the collective – Seeing each singer while nurturing a unified sound and spirit.

• Infusing emotional and intellectual depth – Exploring the depths of the poetry, history, and theme to awaken both heart and mind.

• Modeling lifelong artistry – Demonstrating what it looks like to be a passionate, evolving artist that never stops the quest for growth.

• Connecting music to life – Showing how music helps us express, heal, and become more courageous versions of ourselves. And how we can make the world a better place.

Choir directors: whether you're prepping an honor choir or shaping your weekly rehearsals, these practices will elevate your singers’ experience in profound ways. Transformation doesn't require 300 singers—it starts with intention.

I strive to conduct in spaces where artistry is expected—and humanity, honored.

Where the music isn’t just a product—but a process of becoming.

Ready to Create Something Transformational?

If you're seeking a guest conductor who will inspire your singers, grow their artistry, and shape them as leaders in their communities, I would be honored to collaborate.

👉 [Explore Chris's Work →]

👉 [Contact and Book →]

Let’s create something unforgettable together.