Rest—real rest—can be elusive. With our ever-thinking minds, busy schedules, and life’s shifting terrain, we can find ourselves unable to really settle into a fully relaxed state. To release physical, emotional, psychological holding. To sleep well. To feel restored rather than just OK. In many ways, experiencing a state of deep rest is our greatest […]
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Observing Ramadan in the Music Classroom
By Bobbi Elkamely Twenty years ago, I experienced my first Ramadan. It was one of the most difficult experiences in my life. I had only recently converted to Islam and was struggling to find the balance in my life as a new Muslim post 9/11. While the Muslim community was supportive, my friends and family […]
Performing the Bach Passions as a Jew
By Ayana Haviv Tomorrow I begin rehearsals on Bach’s St. Matthew Passion, as I have done with countless Passions over the years, and as always I am steeling myself for the isolation and alienation I feel as a Jew singing this intrinsically and unquestionably anti-Semitic text of an equally unquestionable masterpiece. In the great classic […]
Enabling Transformative Experiences: Rest and Pause
If you’re a church musician, I’m guessing you’re feeling the pressure of this time of year with Holy Week and Easter just around the corner. I thought I would revisit a previous blog post that talked about rest and pause. This time of year, I would love more rest and pause, a very challenging task […]
Song of (re)Imagining: Modesta Bor
I was first introduced to Modesta Bor (1926–1998) by my friend, Dr. Nicholas Miguel. I was looking for public domain works that were written by women for treble or equal voices and that would fit the educational goals and skill level of the ensemble I was programming for. Modesta Bor was born in Venezuela, […]
The Conductor as Yogi: Finish Strong
You have power over your mind, not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength. Marcus Aurelius (2nd century Stoic philosopher) We are in the final stages of the academic year and concert season, starting to feel the call of spring and summer when we have a little more space, some time to breathe, […]