Latest Blog Posts

“I was in constant demand, in my professional life and my personal life.” Hedy Lamarr One of the most difficult things for me during the Pandemic has been trying to keep up my skills, both musically and intellectually. Once this whole thing is over and we’re able to rehearse and perform more normally, there should […]

By Corey Carleton The treble voices are clear, strong, and at times overwhelm the acoustics of Fellowship Hall at a Presbyterian church on Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena. It’s a large, live room. “Are you heavy or light?” Fernando Malvar-Ruiz asks his Concert Choir. Malvar-Ruiz is “Mr. Fernando” to his singers, and Artistic Director of the […]

By Ramona M. Wis The first time I heard the phrase “holding space” was from a colleague describing her experience with someone going through a tough time.  “I just held space for her,” she said.  It was a phrase I was not familiar with but soon started seeing everywhere (or maybe it was just “blue car syndrome,” […]

“Keeping an active mind has been vital to my survival, as has been maintaining a sense of humor.” Stephen Hawking Since the middle of March, or there abouts, it’s been a strange time for all of us. Most of us have planned for some pretty outrageous situations before but never for this situation, never for […]

Vowels carry emotion and music,while consonants carry context, intent, and meaning. This series on vowels and consonants is intended to stimulate you to dig deeper into your own practice with your choir, or your voice studio. At some point, in your conducting or performing, you must decide on basics tenets of where a note begins […]

By Ramona M. Wis There are many ways to meditate that don’t look like Meditation. Mindfulness, meditation, and yoga have existed for thousands of years, useful tools for a life best-lived.  More and more, in our modern world, these practices have come to the forefront as important, even necessary, means toward physical and mental wellness, for […]

Following is a post written by Mark McCormick, a music educator teaching vocal music, music theory and composition at Mira Costa High School in Manhattan Beach, CA. In the age of COVID-19, educators should remain focused on authentic learning with student self-discovery at its core.______ The Kids Need Sand As a kid growing up in […]

In this episode, I continue my deep dive into attempting to understand how the pandemic may effect our world generally, but specifically the world of music and the performing arts. However, it should be obvious that parallels to our everyday lives are interwoven into this information. In this conversation, Dr, Manian and I focus primarily […]

“Indeed it is better to postpone, lest either we complete too little by hurrying, or wander too long in completing it.” Tertullian This week is normally remarkably busy for me, the week before my chamber choir’s annual summer retreat. I gather music, stuff folders and prepare handouts. I roundup schedules, language sheets and anything else […]

By Frank R. Lloyd When I entered Occidental College in 1965 a friend from my hometown who was a year ahead of me urged me to take at least one semester of choir because the director was an extraordinary teacher and a dynamic personality. I took her advice and joined Occidental’s College and Chapel Choirs. […]