“Indeed it is better to postpone, lest either we complete too little by hurrying, or wander too long in completing it.” Tertullian This week is normally remarkably busy for me, the week before my chamber choir’s annual summer retreat. I gather music, stuff folders and prepare handouts. I roundup schedules, language sheets and anything else […]
pandemic
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: Another Batch of Pandemic Shaming
“Doubt is the brother of shame.” Erik Erikson Like many of you, I am in the midst of trying to choose repertoire for a concert that may—or may not—happen. Usually by now, I have chosen most of my fall music and am gathering scores and octavos together and any language resources or other material to […]
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 […]
Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: The Not-So-Merry Month of May
“The month of May was come, when every lusty heart beginneth to blossom, and to bring forth fruit.” Thomas Malory I had big plans for May 2020, BIG PLANS. On May 1, I was to be singing with my Alumni Chorus (along with the Kiddos in the Conservatory Chorus and Orchestra), performing my favorite large […]
Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: Be Strong
“Follow your honest convictions and be strong.” William Makepeace Thackeray I miss my choir; Kari, Deb and Marcella, my sopranos. And I miss Cindy (not really an alto but sings alto for me) and Althea, my altos. I miss Emile my sturdy tenor and I was just getting to know Bob, my new baritone. Ben, […]