Writings, Conferences, and Guest Speaking
Below is a portfolio of my academic writings, conference presentations, and guest speaking engagements - which include articles, books, book reviews, and lecture handouts.
Books
Choral Repertoire by Women Composers
Hilary Apfelstadt and Alan Davis, eds.
Published by GIA Publications Inc.
March 2025
In recent years, the choral profession has become especially mindful of recognizing a broad spectrum of composers, but scholarly materials have not kept pace. In fact, a survey of the available academic writings on choral music reveals a startling lack of information about women composers.
Choral Repertoire by Women Composers addresses this gap by highlighting the lives and music of more than 200 women choral composers spanning different time periods and geographic locations. Their choral works—expressive, compelling, and innovative—represent a diversity of styles and are suitable for choirs of varied ages and experience. Nearly 2,000 unique works are listed in this edition.
Click above to go to book website
The book’s 56 contributing authors are choral scholars and music educators who work with singers of all ages. Some are composers themselves.
Choral Repertoire by Women Composers is a timely and valuable resource for all choral musicians who wish to expand their knowledge of historical and contemporary women composers from around the world. Biographical information and a list of selected choral works with durations, publisher information, and various voicings are provided for each composer, giving readers new repertoire ideas to enhance their concert programs.
—Edie Copley
Professor Emerita, Northern Arizona University
National President-elect, ACDA​
I am pleased to offer my enthusiastic support for Choral Repertoire by Women Composers, an invaluable contribution to the choral world. This book highlights the incredible diversity and depth of works by female composers, offering a wealth of artistically compelling music suggestions essential for modern choral programs. This book will likely become a vital resource that will inspire conductors and performers and enrich the choral repertoire for future decades.
—Jo-Michael Scheibe
Professor Emeritus, University of Southern California
Jo-Michael Scheibe Choral Series Editor, Walton Music
Past National President, ACDA​
This is a long-awaited and very welcome resource for conductors and educators. Concise essays with background information, words directly from the living composers, and other pertinent information—including representative works, voicing, duration, and publishers—make this book a quick and easy reference for anyone looking to explore and program works by women composers from around the world. A must-have book for every choral musician!
—Pearl Shangkuan
Conductor, Grand Rapids Symphony Chorus
Professor Emerita, Calvin College
Editor, Hinshaw Music
National President-elect-designate, ACDA​
This remarkable book on women composers fills a significant gap in music history literature. It features insightful essays, a curated list of representative choral works, and a bibliography. Whether conducting research or seeking to diversify your repertoire with works by women composers, Choral Repertoire by Women Composers is an indispensable resource.
—André J. Thomas
Professor Emeritus, Florida State University
Composer
Associate Artist, London Symphony Orchestra
Past National President, ACDA
Book #2 - Title Coming Soon
Book Reviews
2020 Davis, Alan. “Igniting Choral Rehearsals with Efficiency, Artistry,
and Motivation (Book Review).” Choral Journal, 60, no. 10
(June-July 2020): 82-83.
2019 Davis, Alan. “A Practical Guide to Choral Conducting (Book Review).” Choral Journal, 59, no. 9 (April 2019): 73-74.
2018 Davis, Alan. “The Oxford Handbook of Choral Pedagogy
(Book Review).”Choral Journal, 58, no. 10 (May 2018): 80-81.
2018 Davis, Alan. “Teaching Music through Performance in Choir, Volume 4 (Book Review).” Choral Journal, 58, no. 9 (April 2018): 81-83.
2018 Davis, Alan. “Inside the Choral Rehearsal (Book Review).” Choral
Journal, 58, no. 9 (April 2018): 80-81.
2017 Davis, Alan. “The Composer’s Craft: A Practical Guide for Students
and Teachers (Book Review).” Choral Journal, 58, no. 2
(September 2017): 78.
2016 Davis, Alan. “Directing the Choral Music Program (Book Review).” Choral Journal, 57, no. 5 (December 2016): 82-83.
Conferences & Guest Speaking
CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
2025 “In Her Voice: Spotlighting Female Choral Composers” American
Choral Directors Association National Conference, March 2025.
2022 “Vocal Pedagogy in the Choral Rehearsal” Iowa Music Educators
Conference, November 2022.
2022 “Vocal Pedagogy in the Choral Rehearsal” South Dakota Music
Educators Conference, October 2022.
2019 “Forty Renaissance Motets & Madrigals for High School Choral
Ensembles” California Music Educators Conference, Central
Division, October 2019.
2018 “Score Study: A Process Leading to Gesture” California Music
Educators Conference, Southern Division, October 2018.
INVITED LECTURES & GUEST SPEAKING
2025 Oregon State University, NAfME Student Chapter; Music Education
Q&A; Guest Speaker.
2024 University of Nebraska-Lincoln, ACDA Student Chapter; Score
Study & Conducting Preparation; Guest Lecture.
2024 Luethi, Dean & Myers, Matt (co-hosts) “Episode 105 – Advocating
for the Study of Music Written by Women, Alan Davis.” ChoirFam
Podcast. Podcast audio, December 2024.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-105-advocating-for-the-
study-of-music-written/id1605659361?i=1000679815851
2017 Hughes, John C. (host) “Episode 111, Alan Davis.” Choir Chat.
Podcast audio, September 2017.