In my work at the University of Washington, I focus on the use of music in cultural, political, and national identity as well as how music keeps generations and communities together.
I also enjoy research in choral topics such as the transgender voice and how to present repertoire in a cultural context.
I am now working with organizations on what careers in music look like in our changing society.
Garbes, H. and A. Schmidt. “Baltic Languages: Latvian, Lithuanian and Estonian,” in D. Karna, ed., The Use of the International Phonetic Alphabet in the Choral Rehearsal. Landham, MD: Scarecrow Press, 2012.
Garbes, Heather M. “To the bards: the choral works of Estonian composer Ester Mägi.” College Music Symposium 49/50 (2009/2010): 363-374.
Garbes, Heather M. “The ‘Kids’ are All Right: An Exploration of Post-Soviet Choral Composers in Estonia and Latvia” Baltic Musics After the Post-Soviet Conference Proceedings. May 2023.
Garbes, Heather MacLaughlin. “Cyrillus Kreek: The Suspended Harp of Babel” Recording review. The Choral Scholar, 2021.
Garbes, Heather MacLaughlin. “Research Guide for Baltic Choral Music Collection” University of Washington Libraries, November, 2020.
Garbes, Heather MacLaughlin. “Latvian Christmas Music”. Guest blog article in 24 Days of Baltic Christmas. femmeaufoyer2011.com, December 16, 2014.
Garbes, Heather MacLaughlin. “Where can I find that beautiful Ēriks Ešenvalds, Veljo Tormis or Vaclovas Augustinas score?: A overview of the University of Washington Baltic Choral Library Collection”, UNISON: WA-ACDA publication, October, 2016.
Manuscript evaluator for Šmidchens, Guntis. The Power of Song: Nonviolent National Culture in the Baltic Singing Revolution. Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press, 2014.
Wolverton, Vance. Mart Saar Estonion Composer & Poet. Research referenced in the article.
“The ‘Kids’ are All Right: An Exploration of Post-Soviet Choral Composers in Estonia and Latvia” Baltic Musics Beyond the Post-Soviet Conference, Amherst College, January 22, 2022
“Christmas in Scandinavia and the Baltic Region” SCAN 100 guest lecture, University of Washington, December 6, 2021
“A Fresh Latvian Voice: An introduction to the compositions and arrangements of Latvian composer Laura Jēkabsone.” 14th Conference in Baltic Studies in Europe, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden September 2, 2021. Association for the Advancement of Baltic Studies International Conference, Charlotte, NC, May 29, 2020 (Accepted, but conference canceled due to COVID 19)
“Bringing People Together Through Song: A reflection on the Singing Revolution and Baltic Song Festivals”, City Cantabile Choir concert guest presentation, April 22, 2021
“Estonia: Conquering Cultural Genocide Through Song”, University of Hawai’i – Monoa, November 20, 2020
“Baltic Choral Festivals and the Singing Revolution”, Back Bay Chorale, Boston, MA, October 19, 2020
“Shades of Sound: Vocal technique for folk and heritage performance practice” with the Mägi Ensemble, Washington ACDA Summer Institute, University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA, July 22, 2021 (session postponed due to COVID)
“Reflections of Arvo Pärt: Spiegel un Spiegel”. Lecture performance, Scandinavian 100 guest lecture, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, March, 2019, Scandinavian 344: The Baltic States and Scandinavia guest lecture, University of Washington, Seattle, WA December 6, 2018.
“On the Outside Looking In: Perceptions and promotions of Baltic events to non-Baltic audiences.” 13th Conference on Baltic Studies in Europe, European Solidarity Center, Gdansk, Poland. June 27, 2019. Association for the Advancement of Baltic Studies International Conference, Stanford University, June 2, 2018.
“Kantele, Kokle, Kannel and Kanklė: Folk Instrument of Finland and the Baltics”. Scandinavian 100 guest lecture, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, May 29, 2018.
“Baltic Choral Repertoire and the Baltic Song Festival Tradition”. University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire, Eau Claire, WI. March 16, 2017.
“I paint music”: The Piano Preludes and Visual Art of Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis (1875-1911) with Dr. Nicholas Phillips, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. College Music Society International Conference. Helsinki, Finland; June 23, 2015. College Music Society National Conference, Indianapolis, IN; November 6, 2014
“The Singing Revolution: A Introduction to Choral Music from the Baltic Region.” With the Mägi Ensemble. Flinch/Punch Series at Annex Theatre, Seattle, WA; November 26, 2016. College Music Society National Conference, Santa Fe, NM; October 28, 2016. College Music Society Regional Conference, University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA; March 21, 2015
“The University of Washington Baltic Choral Library: History, Purpose and Future.” Association for the Advancement of Baltic Studies, University of Pennsylvania; May 27, 2016. Tartu College Estonian Studies Center / VEMU, Toronto, Canada; September 18, 2015. Library of Congress/American Latvian Association, Washington, D.C.; September 11, 2014. University of Washington Graduate Research Symposium, Seattle, WA; April 4, 2008
“Do you Hear the People Sing? : A Comparison of Protest Songs from the Baltic Region and the United States”. College Music Society International Conference, Buenos Aires, Argentina; June 24, 2013. College Music Society National Conference, San Diego, CA; November 16, 2012.
“The Singing Revolution: Peaceful Protest Through Song,” University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire, Eau Claire, WI; March 17, 2017. Greater Seattle Choral Consortium, Seattle, WA. January 29, 2017. College Music Society International Conference, Gyeongju, South Korea; July 9, 2011. Baltic Musics and Musicologies Conference, Christ Church University, Canterbury, UK, May 28, 2011. College Music Society National Conference, Minneapolis, MN; September 24, 2010. University Congregational UCC, Seattle, WA; March 11, 2007
“To the Bards: The Choral Music of Estonian Composer Ester Mägi”. Estonian National Library, Tallinn, Estonia; January 10, 2012. Baltic Musics and Musicologies Conference, Christ Church University, Canterbury, UK; May 27, 2011. College Music Society International Conference, Dubrovnik, Croatia; July 7, 2009. Association for the Advancement of Baltic Studies National Conference, Indiana University, May 30, 2008. University of Washington Baltic Studies. Roundtable, Seattle, WA; May 9, 2008. College Music Society National Conference, Salt Lake City, UT; November 18, 2007
Garbes, Heather MacLaughlin. “Barbershop Singing: A little history, a little technique and some personal reflections.” UNISON: WA-ACDA publication, January, 2018.
Garbes, Heather MacLaughlin. “10 step Quick Guide for Producing a CD” UNISON: WA-ACDA publication, August, 2017.
Garbes, Heather MacLaughlin. “My Voice: Questions and repertoire for embracing transgender singers in your ensemble”, UNISON: WA-ACDA publication, February, 2016.
“Choosing Repertoire for Virtual Choir Projects: Thoughts and Considerations” with Ailisa Newhall. Washington ACDA Summer Institute, July 23, 2020
“Integration, Not Presentation: Bringing the diverse community surrounding you into your programming”. Roundtable Discussion facilitator, Chorus America National Conference, Miami, FL, June 19, 2020 (Accepted, but roundtable canceled due to COVID19)
“Global Perspectives on Community Choir Repertoire” Repertoire reading session. Washington ACDA Summer Institute, University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA; July 17, 2019
“My Voice: Questions and repertoire for embracing transgender singers in your ensemble” Moderator and Coordinator, Washington ACDA Summer Institute, University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA; July 20, 2016. Western WA-ACDA Winter Workshop, Federal Way, WA; February 20, 2016
“Beyond Cues: A Kinesthetic and Holistic Approach to Score Preparation,” College Music Society National Conference, Portland, OR; October 23, 2009
“Many Hats: Arts Entrepreneurship in the 21st Century”. Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music, Rīga, Latvia, October 19, 2022
“Being Me: Thoughts and insights on becoming a versatile musician in the 21st Century”. Bellevue College, Bellevue, WA, May 7, 2020
“Making the dissertation happen: a look at the technical and emotional elements of academic writing”. Graduate Choral Methods guest lecture, University of Washington, Seattle, WA: May 21, 2020 ; February 14, 2017.
“What it is to be a Music Director in Musical Theatre.” Creative Minds International Public Charter School, Washington, D.C., Austin McKinley coordinator.
“Women in the Profession: A Roundtable Q&A Session” Moderator and Coordinator, ACDA Northwestern Division Conference, Seattle, WA; March 6, 2016
“The Road Less Traveled: Career Trajectories of Contemporary Young Scholars”. Panel Member. College Music Society International Conference, Stockholm, Sweden; June 21, 2015
“Is the Use of Portfolios in Assessing Music Performance Outcomes in Applied Music All That and a Bag of Chips?” Panel Member. College Music Society National Conference, St. Louis, MO; November 1, 2014
Banks, Brenda. “Alternative Careers: a conversation with Heather Garbes” . School of Music Graduate Student News and Resources, somgrad.blogspot.com. October 23, 2015. Interviewed for story.
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