“Around me I saw women overworked and underpaid, doing men’s work at half men’s wages, not because their work was inferior, but because they were women.” Anna Howard Shaw For the last Thursday of August 2020’s Choral Potpourri, I would like to share some thoughts about women conductors. I hope you will share some of […]
Self Care
Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: Storytime-Two
“If we ever get to the polls once, you will never get us home.” Anna Howard Shaw Today Choral Potpourri brings you Sexism Stories from several ChoralNetters. Most of their stories aren’t long, but they are telling. Geraldine* heretofore known as “Gerry” was hired by a community college to be their choral director. When interviewed, […]
Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: One Hundred Years Ago
“Through persistent dedication, Susan B. Anthony, and other remarkable leaders, women were finally granted the right to vote in 1920.” Louise Slaughter One hundred years ago this month, women in the United States were granted the right to vote. I say “granted” because that’s what many folks say, like the right to vote was a […]
Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: Songs My Mother Taught Me
“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, […]
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 […]

