Flaming Pink Hippos

Anyone who has ever written a lengthy document such as a thesis or dissertation knows that after a certain point the writer becomes so numb that they are almost blind to the words on the page.

 

At the height of writing our own dissertation, one’s advisor found a fairly glaring mistake.  Pointing it out, he asked how we could have missed something so obvious.  Being tired and frustrated, one snapped back tersely, “Look, at this point I wouldn’t see flaming pink hippos dancing across the page!” (Bless Bill Hatcher for his patient good humor and understanding nature.)

 

The “Flaming Pink Hippo Effect” can impact our choral rehearsals, too.  After rehearsing the same voices over a long period of time, our ears can become so inured to the choir’s sound that we may no longer be able to hear with the necessary degree of objectivity.  However, unlike a graduate student writing a thesis, most choral conductors do not have someone “listening” over their shoulder.

 

What is the solution to the problem? You need a little help from a fresh set of ears.

 

Contact a colleague and invite them to visit your rehearsal.  It doesn’t necessarily have to be a choral director at a school of the same type; you can approach any colleague whose ears and professionalism you respect.  The visitor could provide a clinic, or they could simply listen and takes notes.  No matter how you accomplish it, having fresh ears in your rehearsal will pay a huge dividend and it will help you discover what you may be missing.

 

There are flaming pink hippos lurking in YOUR choir – chase them out this week. (The present writer is available to help in Oklahoma and boarding areas.)