“The real art of conducting consists in transitions.” Gustav Mahler We are all back—or just about back—to work this fall; time to do what we do. And just what is it that we do? Chorus America has released their latest report which may help us actually understand what we do, how we do it and […]
Choral Potpourri: Choral Ethics; We’ve Never Done It That Way
“Consistency is the last refuge of the unimaginative.” Oscar Wilde School is back in session. Rehearsals have begun. The Pumpkin-Spice-Maple delights are back in the coffee shops and bakeries; must be almost Autumn! How was your summer? Did you accomplish everything you wanted to? Did you have a chance to relax, really relax, for a […]
Choral Potpourri: Choral Ethics; Preaching to the Choir
“It is no use walking anywhere to preach unless our walking is our preaching.” Francis of Assisi I receive quite a few emails with people’s thoughts about my Choral Ethics project. Some folks tell me they are not exactly sure what Choral Ethics is, but will know it when they see it. Some tell me […]
Choral Potpourri: Choral Ethics; Don’t Shoot the Piano Player
“It’s easy to play any musical instrument: all you have to do is touch the right key at the right time and the instrument will play itself.” J.S. Bach Lady C*contacted me a few years ago as I began to collect stories for my Choral Ethics project. She conducts a semi-professional chamber choir, much like […]
Choral Potpourri: Choral Ethics; Our Choral Culture
“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; Judging Our Colleagues
“If you haven’t got anything nice to say about anybody, come sit next to me.” Alice Roosevelt Longworth It does no good to gossip about our colleagues and their ensembles. It doesn’t help the arts community in general or the choral community specifically to “bad mouth” others. We are all in this together and the […]