“Nothing gives one person so much advantage over another as to remain always cool and unruffled under all circumstances.” Thomas Jefferson How do you handle pressure? Do you get flustered or angry or numb? Do you become unhappy with everything (and everyone) around you, no matter if it’s what you asked for in the first […]
The Choral Life
The Conductor as Yogi: Lead with Ahimsa
“Structural flaws can cause harm to individuals; conversely, conceptually sound and ably administered institutions can build people and enrich society. All too often we seem to disregard this important influence that institutions can have on people.” Robert K. Greenleaf How do we frame our work? As conductors, we have an overarching belief system that guides […]
Choral Ethics: A Sad Season
“Grief is the price we pay for love.” Queen Elizabeth II The last two years, or so, have been very difficult for me. I have shared what has happened to me with a few people, but not here on ChoralNet (or anywhere on Social Media except a few select places) though I feel I could […]
Choral Ethics: Know Your Singers and Yourself
“The wise musicians are those who play what they can master.” Duke Ellington How many times in your career have you regretted your repertoire choices? Was it early in your career or just recently? Why did you regret your programming? Was it too high a reach, as far as difficulty, for your ensemble? Were your […]
Choral Ethics: What Would You Do?
“Initiative is doing the right thing without being told.” Victor Hugo ChoralNetter correspondents email me questions but seem to already know the answer. They know what is right and they know what is wrong, they just want to be given permission to do what is right. I’ve written about this before and today I’d like […]
Choral Ethics: A New Choral Year
“Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.” George Eliot We start this Fall, as we do most Falls, with a clean slate for our choral programs. School has been in session for a few weeks, our community […]