“If you make listening and observation your occupation you will gain much more than you can by talk.” Robert Baden-Powell Last week, Choral Ethics began a new series on listening, a very important skill for a choral musician, or ANY musician, to have. I listed a few types of listening skills and blogged about another […]
Choral Culture
Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: Listening
“I like to listen. I have learned a great deal from listening carefully. Most people never listen.” Ernest Hemingway Listening is a very important component of our Choral profession. We listen to our choruses in rehearsal for mistakes. We listen to the concerts we attend and the concerts we conduct. We listen to music for […]
Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: Guest Blogger
Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: A Group of Bullies
“As long as the reason of man continues fallible, and he is at liberty to exercise it, different opinions will be formed.” James Madison Recently I was speaking to someone not familiar with my Choral Ethics Blog. He asked what types of people contact me, what kinds of questions do I get asked and what […]
Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: Rock Star
“I won’t be a rock star. I will be a legend.” Freddie Mercury My youngest brother is a conservatory trained percussionist…..which means he’s played for a LOT of rock bands. Classically trained, he likes playing for rock bands more than orchestras. Why? The atmosphere. According to him, most rock musicians are not the spoiled brats […]
The Conductor as Yogi: The Bigger Picture
Earth’s crammed with heaven, And every common bush afire with God, But only he who sees, takes off his shoes; The rest sit round it and pluck blackberries. Elizabeth Barrett Browning I recently came across this quote and had an immediate, visceral response. Brilliant! So insightful. Leave it to Elizabeth to knock it out of […]