“If we were all determined to play the first violin we should never have an ensemble. Therefore, respect every musician in his proper place.” Robert Schumann As we head toward the end of the choral year, it’s time to address a few Choral Ethics dilemmas. Today and next week, I’ll be sharing thoughts from a […]
Choral Potpourri
Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: A Busy Holy Week
“He, who every morning plans the transactions of the day, and follows that plan, carries a thread that will guide him through a labyrinth of the most busy life.” Victor Hugo NOTE: I wrote this piece a few years ago and it hasn’t been appropriate to run it again until now. Most of us are […]
Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: Autism Awareness Month
“Sunflowers for Ukraine,” Russell Amenta, artist with autism (April is National Autism Awareness Month) “Autism is part of who I am.” Temple Grandin “Mrs. Amenta, we have to be kind to those poor parents. They have children with autism and have no hope.” For some reason, Dr. Marguerite’s* comment just ticked me off. This was […]
Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: A Silent Wood
“Ash Wednesday”, Russell Amenta, artist with autism (March is National Disabilities Awareness Month) “Use what talents you possess: the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best.” — Henry Van Dyke We all assume certain things about others. Those assumptions are usually based on something we know about […]
Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: Divas I Have Known
“Being the Queen is not all about singing, and being a diva is not all about singing. It has much to do with your service to people. And your social contributions to your community and your civic contributions as well.” Aretha Franklin Just as things are getting back to “normal-ish,” things REALLY are getting back […]
Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: Ignore the Dependable at Your Peril
“Professionalism in art has this difficulty: To be professional is to be dependable, to be dependable is to be predictable, and predictability is esthetically boring – an anti-virtue in a field where we hope to be astonished and startled and at some deep level refreshed.” John Updike Maude* began last fall’s concert cycle the way […]