Choral Ethics: Doing Right

“We all want progress, but if you’re on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; in that case, the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive.”  C. S. Lewis

Every ChoralNetter I meet in person wants to know what kinds of questions I get for my Choral Ethics blog. Do I get questions about accompanists? Yes. Do I get questions about singers? Yes. Do I get questions about directors and conductors? Heck yes!

I hear plenty of complaints about singers and accompanists, though the accompanists complaining about directors might outnumber the reverse! Directors complain about their boards (or clergy or department chair) not understanding how a chorus/choir works or what is possible with what, and who, they must work with. Unrealistic expectations on the part of those not directly involved with rehearsals in preparations for concerts or worship services cause hard feelings for everyone.

I am contacted by people who cannot believe colleagues nerve or chutzpah or whatever you want to call it. Back-stabbing, undermining and talking smack about others; these are the toads of our profession. What to do when you are confounded by hearing you are being gossiped about? How do you handle it when your singers are being lured away? Why is another choral person questioning your education and ability and program and your choir? I tell the folks there are no easy solutions, other than to take the high road. And I promise eventually they’ll be vindicated because I believe in Karma.

There are the “legend in their own minds” conductors who create havoc in rehearsal and out. These are the self-proclaimed geniuses and know-it-alls who are impatient with everyone with which they must work. They feel they are being expected to work beneath their talent and let you know it; Boy-Howdy, do they! I get many, many emails from former and present choristers of these types of directors, wanting to know “what’s up with this guy?” You would be surprised how many emails (over 30) I received about ONE DIRECTOR during the first three years of writing this blog. He’s retired and one of his singers actually threw a party after he was gone!

I have been writing about Choral Ethics for well over eight years now and have heard many “interesting” stories as well as made some dear friends in the process. I have listened in disbelief to folks seemingly too gullible for their own good and tried not to shriek when they tell me the predictable end of their stories. I have scolded those who know better who did NOT do better but somehow want me to absolve them. I have been amazed by the goodness and kindness of well-respected choral folk who DO NOT HAVE TO BE good and kind and yet, are. I have laughed with, cried with, and commiserated with many, all in the name of Choral Ethics. As I think about the last eight plus years, one thing stands out to me in perfect clarity when it comes to Choral Ethics; we all want to believe the best of people and are hurt and confused when confronted by the worst. Most often, typical Choral Ethics problems stem from a lack of communication or misinformation or unrealistic expectations or a lack of morals on someone’s part.

Far and away THE most question I get asked is this: Did I do the right thing? I have had quite a few people contact me to ask is it right to trust your “gut.” The common thread with almost all of these folks is this; they do not trust their own instincts any longer.

In these turbulent times, I think it is more important than ever to stick with what we believe and stay true to our own morals and core values. Remember Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Act 1, Scene 3, Polonius: “This above all: to thine own self be true?” What I mean this; if something feels morally or ethically wrong or too easy to be right, that you think twice.

Got a Choral Ethics Dilemma? Email me at: with “Choral Ethics” in the subject line.