Your choir already has a sound, but can you change it on demand, protect voices across styles, and still keep rehearsals upbeat? Russell Scott sits down with Jeremy Matheis, Artistic Director of Choir of the Sound in Seattle, to get practical about what actually works when you need singers to respond fast and perform with confidence.
We start with Jeremy’s story, from conducting as a child to leading a large, versatile ensemble, then move straight into the craft: how to “hear the sound first” and translate vague requests like brighter or darker into singer friendly actions. Jeremy shares concrete tools for choral sound, blend and balance, including how pop placement, breathiness and rhythmic attack differ from the taller vowels and classical focus you might use for a masterwork. If you run a community choir, you’ll especially value his thoughts on making limited rehearsal time count.
The conversation also opens the door on programming and production. Choir of the Sound is known for doing both masterworks and contemporary pop shows well, with movement, costumes and choreography that complement the music rather than distract from it. Jeremy breaks down the teamwork behind big concerts, how to motivate people with different comfort levels, and why authenticity and humour can make high standards feel energising. We finish with performance mindset and accountability, including the idea of singing as the ultimate team sport.
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More about Jeremy Matheis:
Website: https://www.choirofthesound.org/
Facebook: @ChoiroftheSound
Instagram: @choirofthesound
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Resources:
The Choir Director Podcast — helping you build stronger choirs, run better rehearsals, and create outstanding musical experiences.
- Website: thechoirdirectorpodcast.com
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Follow Russell Scott:
- Website: russellscott.org
- Instagram: @russellscottofficial
- Facebook: facebook.com/russellscottofficial
- X: @russellscottuk
(c) Russell Scott 2026. All rights reserved.
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