“Habits change into character.” Ovid Many of us, especially in community-based programs, complain we don’t have enough singers to do the repertoire we really want to do. If we are a mixed group, we long for more tenors or baritones or basses but don’t seem to retain them when we get them. After years of […]
Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: Only All of Us
“Always the journey, never the destination.” Simon Rattle Last week, the Alumni Chorus I’ve been writing about sang in a semi-staged concert version of “Considering Matthew Shepherd.” The CCPA Conservatory Chorus was the main performer, and we Alums sang a chorale toward the end of the work. It was an interesting process for me, both […]
Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: Truth to Tell
“Truth is always strange, stranger than fiction.” Lord Byron Since writing about Choral Ethics here on ChoralNet, I have received a number of emails. Folks who contact me either want to thank me or to tell me their stories. And their stories are amazing. Some seem outlandish at the outset, but then I follow up […]
Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: Cinderella At Home
“There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort.” Jane Austen I am not in Kansas City this week. I wish I could be, but I can’t. I am in the middle of rehearsals and in the middle of auditions and our master bath is being remodeled; you get the idea. Things snuck up […]
Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: A Choral Social Justice Perspective
Several weeks ago, I wrote about singing in an Alumni Chorus at my Alma Mater, the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. Rehearsals have started and with them, my clearer understanding of the thrust and educational purpose of the work (Considering Matthew Shepherd) we are singing. I have a very small part in […]
Choral Potpourri: Collaborations
“Unity is strength… when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved.” Mattie Stepanek Does your choral organization collaborate? I’m sure you occasionally work with other music groups, such as your school’s orchestra or band or perhaps your local symphony. Do you ever think outside of the box with your collaborations? I was […]