“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.” Albert Camus Polly* and Paul* met when both were hired separately as section leaders for a famous chorus. (I won’t give a location, vague or otherwise, but can tell you it has been in existence for over a century.) They’ve been married three years […]
Choral Potpourri: Choral Ethics; Do You Take Requests?
“You cannot create experience. You must undergo it.” Albert Camus Last week I wrote about one of my favorite YCMs (Young Church Musician). This week I’d like to introduce you to one of my favorite Older Church Musicians…maybe Experienced Church Musician is a better way of describing him! Martin* and I have been friends […]
Choral Potpourri: Choral Ethics; Agonizing Over Mistakes
“Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes.” Oscar Wilde Daniel,*one of my favorite Young Church Musicians (YCM), has had a great church job for about five years. On the edge of the suburban community of a large city, the church appreciates him, his musicianship and his ability to get the choir singing. He’s […]
Choral Potpourri: Choral Ethics; Bein’ Highfalutin
“It is impossible, in our condition of Society, not to be sometimes a Snob.” William Makepeace Thackeray Recently, I’ve become aware I am being referred to as Highfalutin, an Elitist, and a Snob. All those things are, apparently, bad things. In my own work, I suppose I am a bit highfalutin with my repertoire choices. […]
Choral Potpourri: A Lesson in Creativity
“There is nothing more difficult for a truly creative painter than to paint a rose, because before he can do so he has first to forget all the roses that were ever painted.” Henri Matisse I am creative. Whether I am programming a concert or making a meal, I can’t help but be a bit […]
Choral Potpourri: Choral Ethics; Rolling With the Punches
“When I wished to sing of love, it turned to sorrow. And when I wished to sing of sorrow, it was transformed for me into love.” Franz Schubert Shawna* emailed me about a week ago. She originally emailed me earlier this summer. We were “back and forthing” about a situation she found herself in and, […]