“I like to compare the holiday season with the way a child listens to a favorite story. The pleasure is in the familiar way the story begins, the anticipation of familiar turns it takes, the familiar moments of suspense, and the familiar climax and ending.” Fred Rogers There are sights and smells and […]
Choral Potpourri: Crabbiness
“No one understands us crabby people!” Lucy Van Pelt (Peanuts) My Choral Ethics series will continue in January. In the meantime, we will explore our December experiences as choral conductors and directors. Last week, we spoke of children and this week it is all about us; the crabby us! Most of us […]
Choral Potpourri: Kids Say the Darnedest Things
“Anyone who hates children and animals can’t be all bad.” W.C. Fields For the month of December, Choral Potpourri will be a little bit of everything choral. It is our busiest time of year and to break up the tension, I thought we’d begin with a few stories about children and choirs……funny stories (and […]
Choral Potpourri: Being Grateful
“I am grateful for what I am and have. My thanksgiving is perpetual.” Henry David Thoreau I always try to be grateful. In this season of Thanksgiving, I am more grateful than usual. Perhaps our world is in upheaval but there is one thing I know for sure; there is plenty more Good than […]
Choral Potpourri: Coming Home
“There is no place like home.” L.Frank Baum, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz On Saturday evening, I will give a pre-concert lecture for the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra, our local professional symphony. The concert is a program of Russian Masters with not a speck of choral music to be heard. I will be […]
Choral Potpourri: Getting Out the Humidifier
“…A person can develop ‘la grippe.’ ” From Adelaide’s Lament It is mid-November in the Midwest and you know what that means. A few leaves still cling to branches after their brethren have made a truly lovely, colorful exit. Birds are gathering on trees and powerlines to migrate en masse as soon as […]