“The wise musicians are those who play what they can master.” Duke Ellington How many times in your career have you regretted your repertoire choices? Was it early in your career or just recently? Why did you regret your programming? Was it too high a reach, as far as difficulty, for your ensemble? Were your […]
Choral Ethics; What Would You Do?
“Initiative is doing the right thing without being told.” Victor Hugo ChoralNetter correspondents email me questions but seem to already know the answer. They know what is right and what is wrong, they just want to be given permission to do what is right. I’ve written about this before and today I’d like your input […]
Choral Ethics: Chorus Cults
“I am not afraid of an army of lions led by a sheep; I am afraid of an army of sheep led by a lion.” Alexander the Great During the last month or so, I’ve gotten a few emails from ChoralNetters about something that can be defined as “Choral Cults.” I’ve written two blogs about […]
Choral Ethics: Conductor Cults
“The great leaders are like the best conductors – they reach beyond the notes to reach the magic in the players.” Blaine Lee During the last month or so, I’ve gotten a few emails from ChoralNetters about something that can be defined as “Choral Cults.” I’ve written two blogs about the subject and decided to […]
Choral Ethics; Ten Commandments
“The Ten Commandments have never been replaced as the moral basis upon which society rests.” Edwin Louis Cole I know what you’re thinking; I’ve come up with another clever “Ten Commandments for Choirs” but nope, not today. Today I am blogging about the actual Ten Commandments and how they can relate to our profession. I […]
Choral Ethics: Virtue Signaling
“Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall.” William Shakespeare As we begin the new academic year, I’d like to start today with ChoralNetter correspondence concerning a topic that still has me a bit baffled: Virtue Signaling. I’ve had two folks contact me about this topic over the summer and hope you’ll comment below […]