“It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves.” William Shakespeare Like many of you, during these past 20 months, I’ve done much self-reflection. I constantly questioned myself, hoping answers will lead me to understand myself. What kind of person and choral leader am I, or do I WANT to be? […]
Church Choir
Choral Potpourri.Choral Ethics: Putting In the Work
“Unless a tree has borne blossoms in spring, you will vainly look for fruit on it in autumn.” Walter Scott Denise* contacted me in August with a strange story, but one I’ve heard before. We’ve gone back and forth, but now I’d like to ask your opinion. Her dilemma/question is this—should she re-interview/re-audition for a […]
Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: Success, I Guess
“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of the intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the beauty in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden […]
Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: Ethical Dilemma, Part 1
“Nothing is less important than which fork you use. Etiquette is the science of living. It embraces everything. It is ethics. It is honor.” Emily Post Today’s Choral Ethics blog is a rerun from several years ago. It’s still applicable as we begin to get back to normal. MLGA I have had two ChoralNetters contact me in […]
Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: Storytime One
“A story should have a beginning, a middle and an end, but not necessarily in that order.” Jean-Luc Godard It is Storytime here at Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics with a story from my own life and career. I hope it will get you thinking about how you treat those you work for and with, in the […]
Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: My Quirky Choir Members
“Tact is the ability to describe others as they see themselves.” Abraham Lincoln The last few days, I’ve been thinking about a few of my more memorable students and choir members, starting with one of my first jobs, and continuing on to the group I conduct now. Some of them were funny and some were […]