Dear Friends,
As we ring in the New Year of 2016 let us take a moment to thank the Scottish Poet Robert Burns (1759-1796) for the lyrics to the traditional tune sung around the world to mark our annual celebrations. Auld Lang Syne is believed to be a compilation of words from James Watson’s 1711 ballad Old Long Syne. Many of the verses sung today were added by Burns to the popular rendition that was penned in 1788. Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians made the tune popular in the early 1920’s while playing it on a radio show.
This is often a time of renewal, rest and anticipation for what is yet to come. We set goals for ourselves as we cross the threshold in to 2016. This is a time to consider setting goals for life balance which includes our dedication to The Choral Art. As many of my fellow bloggers this week have encouraged us to reach for new goals and remember our achievements I will continue today in the same vein. As a mentor to college students of varying ages and stages of degree plans from the traditional non-major in my choir to the doctoral students who have advanced to candidacy, the motto is the same. Set one goal that you believe you can achieve and one that is a dream. So often if we set out to make the first happen the second can then find its place in our collective reality.
Here are a few unsolicited suggestions:
*Choose a new composer to use for score study
*Try teaching a score in a new language that you have not done in the past
*Pay it forward in line for your daily coffee/tea habit – the joy will surprise you
*Talk with colleagues about ways to set boundaries for balanced work hours
*Find a new walking/hiking path to explore once a month with a friend/partner
*Set time to be off electronics if even for a few hours a day
*Try out a new hobby – a recent choral grad of mine just took up the violin!
*Buy a new book and promise to read it in its entirety
*Make plans to go to your divisional conference – and introduce yourself to at least two new people you meet there.
I wish you a safe, happy and healthy New Year!
Lisa Billingham
George Mason University
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