Little darling, it’s been a long, cold lonely winter Little darling, it feels like years since it’s been here Here comes the sun, here comes the sun And I say, it’s all right George Harrison There’s something about the sun—its warmth, its golden hue, its energy. Even the coldest winter days can feel warmer when […]
The Choral Life
Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: Appearing to Get Along
“While you are proclaiming peace with your lips, be careful to have it even more fully in your heart.” Francis of Assisi If you’ve been reading my Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics blogs for any length of time, you know I HATE GOSSIP! Hate it. Detest it and LOATH it, especially in a choral setting. It […]
Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: On Time
“Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you.” Carl Sandburg Trudy* began a very nice church job last fall. Wonderful clergy, wonderful congregation, and wonderful choir. There’s only […]
The Conductor as Yogi: The Spirit of Work
What do you think of when you hear the word “work?” Some days, “work” feels like these dictionary definitions: Exertion, Labor, Toil, Slog, Drudgery. Ouch. Just reading these words makes us feel heavy, even if they accurately describe how we feel right now. It’s not that we don’t still love our art or care about […]
Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: The Glamorous Life
“Any girl can be glamorous. All you have to do is stand still and look stupid.” Hedy Lamarr Being a musician, any type of a musician, is hard work. Practicing every day, rehearsing with others, listening to other performers, studying scores, and doing research about the music being practiced, rehearsed, and listened to IS work. […]
Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: More Light
“Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.” Desmond Tutu Genie* tells me she suffers from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). She’s an elementary school music specialist as well as a professional church musician and every year, it hits her full force right after Christmas. It lessens in intensity […]