“Women work harder. And women are more honest; they have less reasons to be corrupt.” Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Last week, I mentioned I’d be sharing sexist stories ChoralNetters have been emailing me since I began writing Choral Potpourri five years ago. Today I share a story not from a ChoralNetter, but a colleague I met […]
Leadership
Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: One Hundred Years Ago
“Through persistent dedication, Susan B. Anthony, and other remarkable leaders, women were finally granted the right to vote in 1920.” Louise Slaughter One hundred years ago this month, women in the United States were granted the right to vote. I say “granted” because that’s what many folks say, like the right to vote was a […]
Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: Songs My Mother Taught Me
“When your mother asks, ‘Do you want a piece of advice?’ it is a mere formality. It doesn’t matter if you answer yes or no. You’re going to get it anyway.” Erma Bombeck Yesterday was the sixth anniversary of my mother’s death. The last couple of years, I hadn’t remembered, or even noticed the date, […]
Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: Professional Development in the Time of Pandemic, Part 2
“I was in constant demand, in my professional life and my personal life.” Hedy Lamarr One of the most difficult things for me during the Pandemic has been trying to keep up my skills, both musically and intellectually. Once this whole thing is over and we’re able to rehearse and perform more normally, there should […]
Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: Feeling Like Myself
“It is normal to give away a little of one’s life in order not to lose it all.” Albert Camus I don’t feel like myself and am sure you don’t either. Nothing is like it’s supposed to be. The rhythm of our days is different, what we wear is different and what we DO is […]
Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: Finding Our Voice
“We can hear the silent voice of the spiritual universe within our own hearts.” Ruth St. Denis It’s been a tough week, in several months’ worth of tough weeks. I’m exhausted, heart-sick and worried, and not necessarily in that order. I feel helpless and hopeless and a bit frightened. Today I had planned to write […]