Harmony College Northwest 2026

Have you ever gotten feedback from a "hater"? In everyday life, we are all taught how to be excellent criticizers, and many of us are inclined to observe critically when coaching a singer or ensemble. However, this approach is often disparaging, and can leave singers and ensembles feeling discouraged (if you know, you know). In this class, we remodel the traditional coaching paradigm and turn it on its head by emphasizing two skills that are less commonly practiced: 1) learning to identify what is working well within a performance, and 2) finding creative ways to enhance those qualities (or further draw them out) by asking for what we do want, rather than discouraging what we don’t want.

Chapters that are bringing their choruses to be coached at HCNW 2026 will have the opportunity to make one of their coaching sessions be with Dr. Don Campbell coaching the musical director in front of and with the chorus participating. Dr. Don brings decades of experience conducting and teaching conducting at Harmony University, his university position, and throughout the U.S. and internationally. His teaching style is warm, confident, comprehensive, and focused on using gesture instead of words to communicate with choruses. Working alongside with the chorus allows the chorus to see their director being teachable and reinforces the team concept of music making.