“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 […]
The Choral Life
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: Excuses,Excuses!
“Martyrdom covers a multitude of sins.” Mark Twain “The concert is going to be awful; why can’t singers come to rehearsal?” “The board expects perfection, and then hires a sub-par accompanist.” “Concert attendance will be down tomorrow, we’re expecting snow.” Have you ever felt like you needed an excuse for your concert’s outcome? Three ChoralNetters […]
Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: What Should We Do About Self-Promotion?
“There are basically two types of people. People who accomplish things, and people who claim to have accomplished things. The first group is less crowded.” Mark Twain Our profession has two schools of thought about self-promotion. The first school we all claim to belong to believes we shouldn’t self-promote. The other school of thought is […]
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 […]