“This will be our reply to violence: to make music more intensely, more beautifully, more devotedly than ever before.” Leonard Bernstein Have you ever noticed the best holiday stories portray some sort of dream? From the ballet, “The Nutcracker” to all of the many incarnations of Dickens, “A Christmas Carol” someone is always sleeping and […]
Choral Potpourri: Gloria in Excelsis Deo
“My candle burns at both ends; it will not last the night; but ah, my foes, and oh, my friends – it gives a lovely light!” Edna St. Vincent Millay I have been in a “growlie” mood for weeks. My youngest coined the term for this crabby-it’s-December-and-I’ve-got-so-much-to-do-for-Christmas-and-my-choirs-are-driving-me-crazy mood when he was about three or […]
Choral Potpourri: “……..and the tongue of the dumb shall sing.”
I love “Messiah”. Truth be told, it is probably my favorite large choral work. There’s a little something for everyone–from show piece arias to choruses that are both difficult and poignant to recitatives that move the story along while being musically interesting. The story that is told, using scriptures from both the Old and New […]
Choral Potpourri: Last Man Standing
Dad (Charles Grass) on left, Bob Fosse on right, age 12 as “The Riff Brothers” “If you think you can do better, then do better. Don’t compete with anyone; just yourself.” Bob Fosse Today is my father’s 90th birthday. He is still with us, still sharp as a tack, still very independent and still telling […]
Choral Potpourri: Choral Ethics; # Women (And Men) Choral Conductors Too
“Though the sex to which I belong is considered weak you will nevertheless find me a rock that bends to no wind.” Queen Elizabeth I From the very beginning of writing my regular Blog, I have debated whether Choral Ethics should address sexual harassment issues. And almost from the beginning of my writing Choral Potpourri, […]
Choral Potpourri: Choral Ethics; Thanksgiving Day Blog
“I am grateful for what I am and have. My thanksgiving is perpetual.” Henry David Thoreau As I begin preparations to cook another huge Thanksgiving Day meal, I am more thankful than usual this year. It’s been a rough fall for our family but things are looking a bit better. My spouse had a health […]