.jpg)
“The friend in my adversity I shall always cherish most. I can better trust those who helped to relieve the gloom of my dark hours than those who are so ready to enjoy with me the sunshine of my prosperity.” Ulysses S. Grant As September winds down, we will deal with a few more Choral […]
pandemic
Choral Potpourri/ Choral Ethics: Set in Our Ways
“The only means of strengthening one’s intellect is to make up one’s mind about nothing, to let the mind be a thoroughfare for all thoughts.” John Keats To say the least, it’s been a challenging time for us all. As recently as three years ago, we could not have imagined wearing masks in rehearsals or […]
Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: Pretension
“Great artists are people who find the way to be themselves in their art. Any sort of pretension induces mediocrity in art and life alike.” Margot Fonteyn Jamie*’s highly auditioned and highly respected community chorus sing at a (you can guess) high level. Though not a professional chorus, they are often used by a local […]
Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: Old Lady Musicians
“We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” George Bernard Shaw I’ve known Janice* for over twenty years. We met at a church music conference on the east coast and have been friends ever since. We are of a similar age; our children are of a similar age […]
Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: Try Mind Over Matter–If You Don’t Mind, It Doesn’t Matter
“You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” Marcus Aurelius The end of the choral year is fast approaching and ChoralNetters have some thoughts. Jock* tells me it’s been an almost normal choral year for him and for his high school students. There were two times […]
Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: Respect Yourself
“If we were all determined to play the first violin we should never have an ensemble. Therefore, respect every musician in his proper place.” Robert Schumann As we head toward the end of the choral year, it’s time to address a few Choral Ethics dilemmas. Today and next week, I’ll be sharing thoughts from a […]