Latest Blog Posts
Choral Caffeine: Formations, Part 1
Why do I own bunch of Hawaiian prints? Isn’t one loud, obnoxious frat-boy shirt enough? Why do some ladies own dozens of pairs of shoes? One or two orthopedic torture devices ought to do, right? Why do others among us rearrange the furniture, re-do the landscaping, change hairstyles, upgrade their desktops? Simple . . […]
May I Touch Your Child?
An interesting article was forwarded my way by Joshua Bronfman that highlights the growing issue of adults touching children in an educational setting. See what you think: Some Ottawa parents say a local school board's hands-off policy has gone too far after it forced a popular choir director to quit. Since September, Uwe Lieflander […]
Mormon Flash Mob
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir takes over Williamsburg. The singing starts at 3:20. See if you can pick out the voice that doesn’t belong to the MTC at 7:17. (Source: Tim Smith, Baltimore Sun)
Grumpy Orchestra Players
I wonder if the salary difference doesn’t account for some of the grumpiness we find in orchestras. Tim Smith, of the Baltimore Sun, points to the latest data about orchestra compentsation in this article: People on the podium are still doing quite well, regardless of the recession . . . From my quick glance, […]
Boogie Woogie Lux Aurumque
Found this on Eric’s blog – a boogie woogie version of his Lux Aurumque:
Choral Caffeine: Lemonade and Choral Repertoire
You’ve heard the old joke. Q: What are the best three things about teaching? A: June, July, and August. (of course, it’s not true) Now here it is . . . It’s summer. You have finished what was by any measure an academic year filled with joys and tears, success and maybe […]
Bobby McFerrin Interview “Catching Song”
Bobby McFerrin gives some great interviews. If you have 52 minutes, or have an opportunity to listen to it while you drive, you should give this a listen. He is a fascinating musician with some keen insights on music making. Look here for the interview. Thanks to Brendan Walls for pointing me […]
Superstar
He only needs one name in the choral world: Eric. Is he our Madonna? or Sting? A fantastic article in the LA Times, with thanks to Julie Laylander for pointing me to this article. My favorite quotes: “The composer in me wants to think that it’s happening because I’m tapping […]
Piracy is advertising?
“What you are actually doing is advertising.” Neil Gaiman, famous author, has been honored with many awards internationally, including the Newbery and Carnegie Medals. His books and stories have also been honoured with 4 Hugos, 2 Nebulas, 1 World Fantasy Award, 4 Bram Stoker Awards, 6 Locus Awards, 2 British SF Awards, 1 British […]
More Thoughts on the Need to Mentor Generation iY
Tim Elmore’s book Generation iY is a fascinating study, as well as a wake-up call, for those of us working with the generation born after 1990. This particular exploration invoves the younger Millennials who have come into a world defined by technology and shaped by the Internet— iPod, iBook, iPhone, iChat, iMovie, iPad, and iTunes. […]