“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 Ethics
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 […]
Choral Potpourri: Choral Ethics; Catching Up
“Theater people are always pining and agonizing because they’re afraid that they’ll be forgotten. And in America they’re quite right. They will be.” Agnes de Mille Today we revisit two Choral Ethics stories. One is a follow-up with a happier ending. And the other is not totally a happy ending. Do you remember Jackie*? Her […]
Choral Potpourri: Choral Ethics; Changing OUR Behavior
“Nothing so needs reforming as other people’s habits.” Mark Twain During the first two weeks of July, Choral Potpourri Blog focused on what you need and what you do. Today we’ll be thinking about our behavior inside of rehearsal. It’s easier to be objective when not actively in the midst of rehearsals or the academic […]
Choral Potpourri: Choral Ethics; What Do You Need?
“A loaf of bread, a jug of wine, and thou.” Omar Khayyam For the month of July, my Choral Potpourri and Choral Ethics Blog will focus on things to get you thinking so you are able to hit the ground running in the fall. Every Thursday, while you are sipping a nice, cold adult beverage […]
Choral Potpourri: Choral Ethics; Much Ado About Nothing
“No man thinks there is much ado about nothing when the ado is about himself.” Anthony Trollope I have a soft spot in my heart for choir ringers. You know, those paid singers who help out, fill out and sing out for typical church or community choirs who need a little extra help. My own […]