“I like to listen. I have learned a great deal from listening carefully. Most people never listen.” Ernest Hemingway Listening is a very important component of our Choral profession. We listen to our choruses in rehearsal for mistakes. We listen to the concerts we attend and the concerts we conduct. We listen to music for […]
Leadership
Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: Guest Blogger
Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: A Group of Bullies
“As long as the reason of man continues fallible, and he is at liberty to exercise it, different opinions will be formed.” James Madison Recently I was speaking to someone not familiar with my Choral Ethics Blog. He asked what types of people contact me, what kinds of questions do I get asked and what […]
The Conductor as Yogi: Holding Space
“Holding space” is the practice of allowing room for someone to release their thoughts, concerns, or fears without judging them or feeling the need to offer advice or fix the situation. This is a valuable skill in our professional and personal relationships, a way of honoring and showing compassion for others so they feel heard […]
The Conductor as Yogi: Root to Rise
“Root to rise” is a fundamental cue in a yoga class. Also phrased as “ground down to lift up,” it reminds us that before we can fully extend or expand, we have to be firmly rooted. We have to be grounded before we can grow, or we will find ourselves wobbling or limiting our potential […]
The Conductor as Yogi: Self-Care
“Self-care is never a selfish act — it is simply good stewardship of the only gift I have, the gift I was put on earth to offer others.” Parker Palmer, Let Your Life Speak Self-care has always been at the core of ancient traditions which evolved to help us seek and maintain balance in body, […]