Concert Reviews
"[Michael Tippett" probably approved of the University of Arizona [choirs'] sound under David DeVenney's direction -- it admitted some purity, as in 'Go Down, Moses,' but more often avoided overrefinement without sacrificing musicality." (James Reel, Arizona Daily Star)

"The Reading Choral Society, under the direction of David DeVenney, gave an exquisite reading of Brahms’ German Requiem Sunday afternoon… The choir sang it expressively, paying close attention to the text." (Susan L. Pena, Reading Eagle)

"The Choral Society, beefed up by DeVenney’s West Chester University Concert Choir, hasn’t sounded better in years. Add to that an orchestra that could more than handle the score and four four-star soloists…The audience was treated to an exciting performance." (Susan Pena, Reading Eagle, on a performance of the Verdi Requiem)

"DeVenney mustered all his forces in grand style [in Vaughan Williams’ A Sea Symphony].  You could almost taste the salt spray in 'The Waves.' The final long diminuendo…was managed with marvelous sensitivity by both chorus and orchestra, ending with cellos and basses fading to a pinpoint." (Susan Pena, Reading Eagle)

"The Choral Society gave a marvelous rendering of [the Fauré Requiem], with silken, gorgeous solos.  The final 'In Paradisum' left the audience with a vision of a heaven filled with glorious music." (Susan Pena, Reading Eagle)

"The atmosphere of wonder and quiet contemplation was maintained throughout [Rachmaninoff's Vespers], with subtle gradations in dynamics and beautiful phrasing. The brilliant choral writing, coupled with DeVenney's meticulous, loving direction and the Choral Society's sustained, well-prepared singing produced sounds that were almost instrumental in quality -- one could swear there were strings and horns." (Susan Pena, Reading Eagle)

"Saturday’s concert…revealed a sumptuous Mass [in D by John Knowles Paine] – expansive, complex, and inspired. The performance was intense throughout, well balanced between the orchestra and chorus, and conducted with passion by DeVenney. DeVenney is to be commended for bringing this work to light, and for conducting it with such sensitivity." (Susan Pena, Reading Eagle)

(WCU Concert Choir in Latina, Italy)

Book Reviews
19th-century American Choral Music: An Annotated Guide
"DeVenney's guide to Romantic American choral music is a practical one for both choral directors and musicologists." (R. John Specht, Sonneck Society Bulletin)

Early American Choral Music: An Annotated Guide
"The scholar who is also a choral director will view it with delight." (Susan L. Porter, Fontes Artis Musicae). "The maxim that one cannot judge a book by its cover was never more true than here: a relatively small paperback contains and engrossing list of choral works. The Guide should be an invaluable source for quick and thorough reference." (Douglas A. Lee, Sonneck Society Bulletin)

American Masses and Requiems: A Descriptive Guide
"The present volume both fills a need and couples well-written text and design, making the title a welcome addition [to DeVenney’s previous books]." (Janette R. Hill, MLA Notes)

The Chorus in Opera
"A small gold mine of information." (Ruthann Boles McTyre, Fontes Artis Musicae)

American Choral Music Since 1920
"A gold mine for the choral scholar." (Tinsley Silcox, Fontes Artis Musicae). "One cannot choose but admire Professor DeVenney's consistent and sustained approach to his subject." (H. Stephen Wright, Music Reference Services Quarterly). "An essential tool for the conductor... This reviewer's trial run with the book was wonderfully productive." (Jeffrey Carter, Choral Journal). "DeVenney's survey of American choral music represents an impressive accomplishment." (Avery T. Sharp, MLA Notes)

Source Readings in American Music
"DeVenney's effort in this source book is remarkably broad in scope. It will provide thoughtful readers with surprising new perspectives on our past and present as we continue to grapple with designing the future of choral music in America." (William Weinert, Choral Journal). "This unique collection should be on the reading list of any choral literature course or American music seminar." (Bruce C. Macintyre, ISAM Newsletter). "It is difficult to find fault with DeVenney’s volume…a book for every choral scholar." (D. Royce Boyer, Sonneck Society Bulletin)

Varied Carols: A Survey of American Choral Literature
"A much needed overview of choral repertoire in the U.S. ... DeVenney broadens choral music histories beyond their European focus and adds a choral dimension to many general histories of U.S. music." (J.M. Edwards, Choice).  "A concise and valuable guide to a vast and little-known repertoire." (Edward Lundergan, Choral Journal)

The New Broadway Song Companion
"This volume is an absolute necessity for all college and high school musical theater collections...Essential." (Choice). "For music theater performers and their teachers, this book is a boon...." (Debra Greschner, The Journal of Singing)