“When your mother asks, ‘Do you want a piece of advice?’ it is a mere formality. It doesn’t matter if you answer yes or no. You’re going to get it anyway.” Erma Bombeck Yesterday was the sixth anniversary of my mother’s death. The last couple of years, I hadn’t remembered, or even noticed the date, […]
Self Care
Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: Professional Development in the Time of Pandemic, Part 2
“I was in constant demand, in my professional life and my personal life.” Hedy Lamarr One of the most difficult things for me during the Pandemic has been trying to keep up my skills, both musically and intellectually. Once this whole thing is over and we’re able to rehearse and perform more normally, there should […]
Choral Potpourri/ Choral Ethics: Professional Development in the Time of Pandemic, Part 1
“Keeping an active mind has been vital to my survival, as has been maintaining a sense of humor.” Stephen Hawking Since the middle of March, or there abouts, it’s been a strange time for all of us. Most of us have planned for some pretty outrageous situations before but never for this situation, never for […]
Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: Another Thing Postponed and Canceled
“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 […]
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 […]