Now is the time when our singers start to get sick, the drama-queens become shrill (sorry, but they will get even worse), and we start to notice the tiniest ebbing of our own energy and patience.
Riding to the rescue comes Jo Anne Stoddard! In her article, “Ten Positive Things to Do for Yourself,” she outlines steps to maintain our health, good humor, and humanity in this nutty profession. Some of this is just plain ol’ common sense, but how often do we choral conductors follow our own advice? Though she doesn’t categorize them as such, Jo Anne’s ideas fall in three distinct areas:
[1] Maintaining Your Health. This includes such obvious – and too-frequently overlooked – areas as diet, exercise, and hydration.
[2] Controlling the Clock. We can’t stop time, but we can control how we react to it by being proactive and carving out sufficient prep time.
[3] Supporting Your Humanity. Amid the crushing demands of the day, Jo Anne recommends ways to prevent yourself from feeling as though you are becoming a desensitized drone. She also discusses how to enhance your musicianship and you citizenship.
The days don’t get any easier as the season progresses. Make it a habit to take good care of yourself.
(To access the full article, simply click the highlighted title. For additional articles on a dazzling array of choral topics, visit ChorTeach.)
Gerald Gurss says