“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 […]
Choral Potpourri: Using Our Skills in Other Ways
“If you want something done, ask a busy person to do it. The more things you do, the more you can do.” Lucille Ball Right about now we are all gearing up for the next six or seven weeks of insanity. Our concerts loom ahead and so does the end of […]
Choral Potpourri: The Power of “Thank You”
“Appreciation can make a day – even change a life. Your willingness to put it into words is all that is necessary.” Margaret Cousins Not all of the Choral Ethic comments I receive are about “conductors behaving badly.” Some are wonderful, touching life and career affirming. Today we’ll speak about how a few […]
Choral Potpourri: Pettiness
“Don’t sweat the petty things and don’t pet the sweaty things.” George Carlin Jackie* and I became friends at a long ago ACDA national conference and have stayed in contact for several decades. She directs a community chorus two states over and recently emailed me about a situation which came up during her […]
Choral Potpourri: Perfection is Over-Rated
Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best.” Henry Van Dyke Many Choral Ethics problems stem from perfection issues, or the perception of what perfection […]