The season and academic year are ending. The concerts will be finished. We feel a sense of accomplishment, relief, and celebration, colored with the bittersweet realization that it is still an imperfect world both in and out of our choral lives. Our limbs may feel heavy, our energy is drained, and our exhales are getting […]
Self Care
Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: Fading Fortune
“Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.” Confucius As we head toward the end of the choral year, it’s time to address a few Choral Ethics dilemmas. This week, I’ll share thoughts from a ChoralNetter as well as mine about some universal issues. Today we’ll be talking about Schadenfreude. Jenai* has had one of […]
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 […]
Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: A Busy Holy Week
“He, who every morning plans the transactions of the day, and follows that plan, carries a thread that will guide him through a labyrinth of the most busy life.” Victor Hugo NOTE: I wrote this piece a few years ago and it hasn’t been appropriate to run it again until now. Most of us are […]
Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: Autism Awareness Month
“Sunflowers for Ukraine,” Russell Amenta, artist with autism (April is National Autism Awareness Month) “Autism is part of who I am.” Temple Grandin “Mrs. Amenta, we have to be kind to those poor parents. They have children with autism and have no hope.” For some reason, Dr. Marguerite’s* comment just ticked me off. This was […]
Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: A Silent Wood
“Ash Wednesday”, Russell Amenta, artist with autism (March is National Disabilities Awareness Month) “Use what talents you possess: the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best.” — Henry Van Dyke We all assume certain things about others. Those assumptions are usually based on something we know about […]