“We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” George Bernard Shaw I’ve known Janice* for over twenty years. We met at a church music conference on the east coast and have been friends ever since. We are of a similar age; our children are of a similar age […]
Choral Potpourri
Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: The Hills Are Alive With the Sounds of……..Mahler
“The real art of conducting consists in transitions.” Gustav Mahler I have mentioned my late mother, a coloratura soprano, more than once here in my Blogs on ChoralNet. Her insight, through many years of being “in the business,” has held me in good stead and I’ve shared many of her wisdoms with you. Today I […]
Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: Try Mind Over Matter–If You Don’t Mind, It Doesn’t Matter
“You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” Marcus Aurelius The end of the choral year is fast approaching and ChoralNetters have some thoughts. Jock* tells me it’s been an almost normal choral year for him and for his high school students. There were two times […]
Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: Self-Fulfilling Prophesy
“America’s future will be determined by the home and the school. The child becomes largely what he is taught; hence we must watch what we teach, and how we live.” Jane Addams I have been around the performing arts, LITERALLY, all my life. With an opera singer mother and a tap/ballet dancer/choreographer/stage director father, I […]
Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: The Annual “Thank You” Blog
“When you practice gratefulness, there is a sense of respect toward others.” Dalai Lama We are almost finished with the choir year. No matter what sort of choral organization you are involved with, things are winding down with the end of the school year, the concert year, and the church year. There are people out […]
Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: Fading Fortune
“Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.” Confucius As we head toward the end of the choral year, it’s time to address a few Choral Ethics dilemmas. This week, I’ll share thoughts from a ChoralNetter as well as mine about some universal issues. Today we’ll be talking about Schadenfreude. Jenai* has had one of […]