“Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes.” Oscar Wilde Daniel,*one of my favorite Young Church Musicians (YCM), has had a great church job for about five years. On the edge of the suburban community of a large city, the church appreciates him, his musicianship and his ability to get the choir singing. He’s […]
Choral Ethics
Choral Potpourri: Choral Ethics; Bein’ Highfalutin
“It is impossible, in our condition of Society, not to be sometimes a Snob.” William Makepeace Thackeray Recently, I’ve become aware I am being referred to as Highfalutin, an Elitist, and a Snob. All those things are, apparently, bad things. In my own work, I suppose I am a bit highfalutin with my repertoire choices. […]
Andrea Ramsey on Her Newly Commissioned Work, “But a Flint Holds Fire” in Support of the Flint Water Crisis
I was recently introduced to an article on the Michigan ACDA website (editor, Jed Scott). It was an interview with composer Andrea Ramsey about her recently commissioned work, “But a Flint Holds Fire.” The piece was composed for a Chorus America consortium project and is part of an effort to raise awareness and monetary support for the […]
Choral Potpourri: Choral Ethics; Rolling With the Punches
“When I wished to sing of love, it turned to sorrow. And when I wished to sing of sorrow, it was transformed for me into love.” Franz Schubert Shawna* emailed me about a week ago. She originally emailed me earlier this summer. We were “back and forthing” about a situation she found herself in and, […]
Choral Potpourri: Choral Ethics; Practice. Again. And Again.
“No art is less spontaneous than mine. What I do is the result of reflection and the study of the great masters.” Edgar Degas “That was lovely! So effortless and fun.” “What beautiful singing. They just opened their mouths and out it came!” “Your choir sings so well. Do they ever practice together?” How many […]
Choral Potpourri: Choral Ethics; Planting the Seeds of Reputation
“Unless a tree has borne blossoms in spring, you will vainly look for fruit on it in autumn.” Walter Scott We in academia (or those following a choral year) plant our seeds in the fall, watch our ensembles begin to blossom in winter and early spring and harvest our fruit (concerts or the end of […]