“It is not enough just to wish well; we must also do well.” Saint Ambrose Like people in all walks of life, I am often stretched thin by requests. From my spouse and children, from my choir and professional colleagues, from community and art organizations I support; I am often overwhelmed. No one thinks twice […]
Self Care
Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: As Lent Begins
“Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” Francis of Assisi Last week, we finished our Mark Twain February inspirations. For March, I thought quotes from a few Saints might help get us on the right track for the month. Those of us with church positions began […]
Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: Making Do
“Let us not be too particular; it is better to have old secondhand diamonds than none at all.” Mark Twain We try to uphold our high standards, but occasionally all we can do is get through. Whether it’s a concert or a rehearsal or an event of some sort we had planned for thoroughly and […]
Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: Refreshing OURSELVES
“Work consists of whatever a body is obliged to do. Play consists of whatever a body is not obliged to do.” Mark Twain In contrast to January’s Alfred Lord Tennyson quotes I thought I would take my cue from that most American of authors, Mark Twain, to unify my Blogs for February. Mr. Twain says […]
Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: Knowing Yourself
“Self-reverence, self-knowledge, self-control; these three alone lead life to sovereign power.” Alfred Lord Tennyson January is such a good month for self-reflection. I hope the quotes of Alfred Lord Tennyson I have used this month for Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics have gotten you thinking and reflecting about your own choral life. I’ve written many a Blog […]
Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: Wisdom
“Knowledge comes, but wisdom lingers.” Alfred Lord Tennyson With age and experience comes wisdom or something akin to it. In our youth and training we read, we study, we practice and attend concerts and rehearsals and we think we know it all. And maybe we do, theoretically. It isn’t until we get out in the […]