By Ramona M. Wis Earth and Sky. Two deeply embedded experiences in our lives, embedded since we took our first breaths. Images, sensibilities, metaphors, and even the gravitational pull of Earth and Sky show up in our everyday life: in our speech, our actions (or lack of action), and our sense of felt wellness, of “being […]
Leadership
The Conductor as Yogi: The Well Choir (Move)
By Ramona M. Wis “Movement is essential.” Katy Bowman, M.S., biomechanist I just finished my first week of fall classes: five rehearsals and two non-performance class meetings, all online. While it was different, the experience was enlightening, connected, and inspiring on many levels. The unsolicited feedback from students after the first day of rehearsals was very positive and […]
The Conductor as Yogi: (Still) Singing for the Greater Good
By Ramona M. Wis Singing for the Greater Good has been our choirs’ “North Star” for several years, evolving as we became more and more aware of the broader, deeper, more impactful aspects of the choral music making process. Singing for the Greater Good unites us, guides our decision making, and recalibrates us when challenges arise, as they […]
The Conductor as Yogi: The Well Choir (Breath)
By Ramona M. Wis “Better breathing means a better and healthier life.” B.K.S. Iyengar Singers are professional breathers. We take what is a normal part of our human functioning and turn it into a specialized art. But have we perfected breath for the art of wellness, as well as singing? I have been singing for a long time, […]
The Conductor as Yogi: Be well
By Ramona M. Wis “All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.” Julian of Norwich (1342-1416), Christian mystic I have loved these words since I first heard them in Joan Szymko’s “Vivos Voco” for women’s voices. I began using this phrase in March as my email sign […]
The Conductor as Yogi: Tapas (or “The best way out is always through”)
By Ramona M. Wis I have to admit, I am feeling the heat. Virtual rehearsal planning. Technology. Pandemic updates. Constant communication. Summer heat. Conductors are tough folks—we know what it’s like to feel the heat and find ways to get through it. Though “no pain, no gain” is usually considered an athlete’s mantra, musicians live this, as well. Usually the […]