Choral Ethics: The Ladder of Success

“My life is an open pamphlet.” Bob Fosse

Most of you know, my Dad passed away at the age of 96 this past February 29. And most of you also know he was a Master Dance Pedagogue, as well as Bob Fosse’s vaudeville partner. I have shared some of his Show Biz Wisdoms here before but there are three I would like to delve into a little deeper during the next few weeks. This wisdom, Show Biz Words to Live By if you will, is applicable in our own art form, stretching beyond dance or music or theater. All were taught to Dad and Bob as children by their manager, Frederick Weaver.

They are:

• There will always be someone better than you are, so be the best YOU can be.
• The people you meet on your way up the ladder of success are the same people you will meet on your way down, so be nice!
• There is nothing new under the Sun, so take something old and give it a new spin, make it your own.

Let’s look at Dad’s second Wisdom today: The people you meet on your way up the ladder of success are the same people you will meet on your way down, so be nice!

All of the preforming arts have their own variations of arrogant folks, and our profession is no different. There are some who believe it’s all drama and backstabbing in “Show Biz” but it is not always the case in the upper echelons, despite some folks fantasies.

We all know the type. There are people we know professionally who are not nice—this blog is filled every week with issues and stories concerning their ilk. Overbearing, overly impressed with themselves or their choral programs or their talents or training, behaving over the top obnoxiously in rehearsals or in concerts or in person one-on-one.

We all know these variations of obnoxious choral colleagues.  The “Striver” who doesn’t care about anyone or anything but only their group getting top billing, getting the solo or getting some sort of recognition. They will do what they must to step over anyone in their way to achieve those things. The “Humble” who seems so kind and sweet but if they don’t get regular adoration or recognition—they won’t say they are great but except YOU to say they are great–they are as nasty as a snake. The “Pretender” who pretends to be your friend and equal but will turn on you in an instant if it helps them succeed over you. All of these are the same people who are utterly confused and hurt when they have a setback, and no one comes to their rescue. We all have experienced feeling some sort of small joy at the failure of someone who has wronged us in the past. Perhaps we are ashamed feeling that way, but it’s understandable when they’ve been utterly awful to us in the past.

I once read you can tell much about someone’s character by the way they treat people who can do nothing for them. I believe that is true. However, I also believe that the person who can do nothing for you NOW might be able to do something for you in the future and I act accordingly. We never know what the future holds so it’s best to treat everyone well.  Those with hurt feelings have long memories.

Reaping what you sow, karma, what goes around will come around—pick a cliché—they are all true. And remembering those  clichés at crucial times in our career and life will make a difference.