“Now I will believe that there are unicorns…,” William Shakespeare, The Tempest Last year around this time, I wrote a blog about unicorns. In it, I explained I feel like an exotic creature most of the time, outside of rehearsals or performances. I also spoke of enjoying being able to work with other like-minded folks […]
Choral Potpourri
Choral Potpourri: Choral Ethics; Snubbed
“First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.” Mahatma Gandhi A few weeks ago, I wrote about Donald* who felt uncomfortable when a colleague, who usually snubbed and ignored him, began treating him normally. Of course, there was a reason for Donald’s sudden promotion to Lyndon’s* “Best […]
Choral Potpourri: Choral Ethics; What’s Right With the World
“The key to the mystery of a great artist is that for reasons unknown, he will give away his energies and his life just to make sure that one note follows another… and leaves us with the feeling that something is right in the world.” Leonard Bernstein We all know Holy Week is the busiest […]
Choral Potpourri: 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 about 18 years ago and I was the president of a local chapter of […]
Choral Potpourri: Choral Ethics; Skeptical of Good Behavior
“Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example.” Mark Twain Donald* tells me most people would not think he has a problem. In fact, most people would believe he’s the problem. Not me; I think he has a point. What’s all this about? Donald attended an arts event […]
Choral Potpourri: Choral Ethics; Not As Pleasant As She Thought
“Make yourself do unpleasant things so as to gain the upper hand of your soul.” W. E. B. Du Bois Donna* and I have been corresponding since late last fall. After a move, due to her spouse’s job, she found a church position. She began last August, 12 months after their move, contacting me within […]