“We are what we repeatedly do.” Attributed to Will Durant, on the ideas of Aristotle It is a bit of a fantasy to think summer will be free from professional responsibilities and busy schedules. We still have young children, aging parents, summer camps and classes, travel planning, or conducting engagements. But summer is, in many […]
Leadership
Choral Ethics: MayDay
“The only thing that could spoil a day was people. People were always the limiters of happiness except for the very few that were as good as spring itself.” Ernest Hemingway One of my favorite seasonal celebrations is May Day. Today IS May Day and I hope it is lovely where you are. The history […]
Choral Ethics: Not Important Enough
“No person is important enough to make me angry.” Thomas Carlyle I have mentioned a few times in this blog I dislike whiners and tattletales. It’s the result of being the oldest of six children; the quickest way for me to tune out your story is to whine or tattle. I made sure my own […]
Choral Ethics: Almost There
“Nothing is a greater impediment to being on good terms with others than being ill at ease with yourself.” Honore de Balzac We are almost finished with another Lenten, Holy Week and Easter season. Church musicians are rounding the corner, heading toward the end of the finish line of their busiest six weeks, exhausted and […]
The Conductor as Yogi: Self-Study When the Heat is On
Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom. Aristotle You may be peaking for a year-end concert or finalizing details for Easter services. Or perhaps you just finished that massive collaboration that took months of planning. Exhausted? No doubt. Exhilarated? Hopefully. Still feeling the heat? Yup. Now is the best time for some self-study. The […]
Choral Ethics: Conductor Cults
“The great leaders are like the best conductors – they reach beyond the notes to reach the magic in the players.” Blaine Lee A few weeks ago, I had lunch with an old friend, Jay*, a choir friend of mine. He teaches and directs in the city, so we don’t always have time to actually […]