Our professional life’s journey is very much focused on developing our abilities—the ability to play or sing, to read music, conduct, plan effective rehearsals, and understand the context of the music we teach. In time, we get really good at it, and even receive pieces of paper to demonstrate that we “made it” in our […]
Yoga
The Conductor as Yogi: Thanks (in Advance)
The power of a genuine “Thank you” cannot be underestimated. Our busy lives don’t slow down for much, but when a gesture or word of thanks comes our way, we pause and take notice of where we are and who we are with. We smile, breathe more deeply and for a moment, think larger than […]
The Conductor as Yogi: No More “Less Than”
Sometimes, I divide our large mixed choir into separate treble and bass ensembles to give them a different experience singing SSAA or TTBB repertoire. Great for programming and for variety in rehearsal, and for listening in a different way for blend and balance and color. When I resumed this practice a couple of years ago […]
The Conductor as Yogi: Stress Less, Accomplish More
“You are not a meditation failure; you just haven’t been taught yet.” Emily Fletcher A few months ago, I followed up on a book recommendation and read Stress Less, Accomplish More: Meditation for Extraordinary Performance. I was intrigued by the title but also by the high-profile endorsers (such as Mark Hyman, M.D.) and the fact […]
The Conductor as Yogi: Concentric Circles
Sometimes I have singers stand in two concentric circles—the smaller one within the larger one—and sing from these new vantage points. The larger circle may be those who have stronger voices, more confidence, allowing their sound to flow through the smaller circle and across the space, leading the way by providing comfort and security. But […]
The Conductor as Yogi: Be In It
“We are in a zone, having let go of the outer world, and now experiencing a feeling of unity.” Nicolai Bachman In the final days before last week’s opening concert of the season, I reminded singers often: “Don’t miss the concert.” No, I wasn’t talking about forgetting to show up—I was making the point that […]