“Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth.” Arthur Conan Doyle Believe it or not, I get many emails about loyalty. Loyalty to a chorus or church choir or alumni group and perhaps another type performing group of some sort. I get questions such as: if my university […]
Church Choir
Choral Ethics: Choral Culture
“People don’t mind being mean; but they never want to be ridiculous.” Moliere Another week, another group of emails. The emails I usually receive are about similar dilemmas and sometimes I wonder if it’s the phase of the moon or something. Perhaps it’s just that certain times of the choral year present similar problems for […]
Choral Ethics: Busy Times
Choral Ethics: Christmastime Is Here
“Christmas is a season not only of rejoicing but of reflection.” Winston Churchill I’m rerunning some Choral Ethics blogs from years past with a few modifications where needed. Two of my MOST REQUESTED December Blogs will also be making their yearly appearances. In a few days, it will be Christmas Eve. Your plans have been […]
Choral Ethics: Arrogance and Ignorance
“Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest.” Mark Twain My late Mom always said arrogance and ignorance are a deadly combination. As a coloratura soprano, nothing irritated her more than someone telling her how to sing or what to sing, unless they were a director or conductor she was working […]
Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: Aftermath of Abuse
“The greater the power, the more dangerous the abuse.” Edmund Burke Might be triggering. Maddie* and I have been emailing back and forth for weeks. Her story—only part of what I will share here—is tragic. As fantastic as it may sound, it is all true. And that is part of the tragedy of it; it […]