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“It is better to know some of the questions than all of the answers.” James Thurber For every choral director/conductor there is a perfect choir and for every choir, there is a perfect director/conductor. There are times it just “feels right” and there are times it does not. The past few weeks we’ve looked […]
Choral Potpourri
Choral Potpourri: Interview Questions
“Questions are never indiscreet, answers sometimes are.” Oscar Wilde You have the perfect Music Director Search Committee gathered. You’ve soul-searched and all members of your committee are on the same page for the future of the organization or ensemble. You’ve hired a competent interim. You have sent out audition notices (and advertised for the […]
Choral Potpourri: What’s a Committee to Do?
“They sit there in committees day after day, And they each put in a color and it comes out gray. And we all have heard the saying, which is true as well as witty, That a camel is a horse that was designed by a committee.” Allan Sherman You are a choral singer. You sing […]
Choral Potpourri: Shut Up and Sing; Things I’d Like to Say to My Choirs, But Don’t
“Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness, you have good manners, no matter what fork you use.” Emily Post Beginning next week and the rest of the month of May, we will explore a Choral Ethics way of looking at the hiring—and firing—of choral directors. […]
Choral Potpourri: A Silent Wood; in Observance of National Autism 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 I am delighted ACDA has taken the position of encouraging choirs for all; all ages and all abilities. I have a very good reason for being happy because I […]
Choral Potpourri: Do No Harm
“I will prescribe regimens for the good of my patients according to my ability and my judgment and never do harm to anyone.” Hippocratic Oath Last week, I mentioned speaking with nine people at the ACDA Central Conference about Choral Ethics. I spoke with all sorts of choral folk; Choir Moms, college professors, singers, students […]