By Rebecca Lord As conductors urge each other on during these perilous times, one phrase is repeated time and again: “think outside of the box!” Creative minds are taking on the challenge, and the potential life-and-death consequences of “normal” choral singing have spurred conductors toward innovations that will forever change the face of choral music. […]
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The Conductor as Yogi: Between Earth and Sky
By Ramona M. Wis Earth and Sky. Two deeply embedded experiences in our lives, embedded since we took our first breaths. Images, sensibilities, metaphors, and even the gravitational pull of Earth and Sky show up in our everyday life: in our speech, our actions (or lack of action), and our sense of felt wellness, of “being […]
The Overlooked Significant Population – Introverts
By Stuart Hunt Without trying to sound esoteric or highfalutin, in all of my endeavors, everything, I pause to discern the philosophy guiding me in the short and long term. In German the phrase is Woher / wohin? Where are we coming from, where are we going to? Through that lens, I can proceed with […]
Cyber Solutions for Quarantined Choirs: A Guide to Virtual Rehearsals & Performances
By Rebecca Lord Conducting today can feel like it requires a graduate degree in technology. This article will provide tech solutions, simple to complex. Recommendations and video examples come from music-technology professionals, conductors, and internationally recognized virtual choir leaders. REHEARSAL SUCCESS IN A LAND OF LATENCY Before COVID-19, how many of us knew about Zoom […]
The Conductor as Yogi: The Well Choir (Move)
By Ramona M. Wis “Movement is essential.” Katy Bowman, M.S., biomechanist I just finished my first week of fall classes: five rehearsals and two non-performance class meetings, all online. While it was different, the experience was enlightening, connected, and inspiring on many levels. The unsolicited feedback from students after the first day of rehearsals was very positive and […]
The Non-auditioned Choir: Dealing with Divas
By Pat Guth Every choir has them. The diva, divo, prima donna, egotist…whatever you prefer to call them. Whether you’re waving your arms in front of a choir of professionals or tending to an ensemble of amateurs, you’ve no doubt come across at least a singer or two who views himself/herself as superior to others […]