Latest Blog Posts

“Nothing gives one person so much advantage over another as to remain always cool and unruffled under all circumstances.” Thomas Jefferson How do you handle pressure? Do you get flustered or angry or numb? Do you become unhappy with everything (and everyone) around you, no matter if it’s what you asked for in the first […]

“Structural flaws can cause harm to individuals; conversely, conceptually sound and ably administered institutions can build people and enrich society. All too often we seem to disregard this important influence that institutions can have on people.” Robert K. Greenleaf  How do we frame our work?  As conductors, we have an overarching belief system that guides […]

“Grief is the price we pay for love.” Queen Elizabeth II The last two years, or so, have been very difficult for me. I have shared what has happened to me with a few people, but not here on ChoralNet (or anywhere on Social Media except a few select places) though I feel I could […]

In ChoralEd episode 46, Dr. Arreon Harley-Emerson of Equity Sings offers some insights and practical guidance on respectfully performing music from diverse cultures. Before sharing music from another culture with our choirs and audiences, Dr. Harley-Emerson suggests we look inward (before outward) by asking ourselves three simple questions: This internal reflection is a critical first […]

“The wise musicians are those who play what they can master.” Duke Ellington How many times in your career have you regretted your repertoire choices? Was it early in your career or just recently? Why did you regret your programming? Was it too high a reach, as far as difficulty, for your ensemble? Were your […]

“Initiative is doing the right thing without being told.” Victor Hugo ChoralNetter correspondents email me questions but seem to already know the answer. They know what is right and they know what is wrong, they just want to be given permission to do what is right. I’ve written about this before and today I’d like […]

Between the Staves: Choral Questions, Candid Answers, is fresh take on the classic advice column—this time for all things choral music! Modeled after the beloved “Dear Sally” format, this blog will answer your questions about choral music education, performance, and leadership. Whether you’re curious about vocal technique, rehearsal tips, repertoire selection, or the “other” side […]

“Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.” George Eliot We start this Fall, as we do most Falls, with a clean slate for our choral programs. School has been in session for a few weeks, our community […]

“Unless a tree has borne blossoms in spring, you will vainly look for fruit on it in autumn.” Sir Walter Scott Happy anniversary to US! It is hard to believe, but I have been writing the Choral Ethics blog every week since the Fall of 2015 when Scott Dorsey asked me to become a regular […]

Have you ever found yourself in the middle of a rehearsal, wishing you had a secret window into your singers’ minds?[i] A way to see, not just hear, if they’re truly grasping the music? If so, you may want to consider incorporating Curwen hand signs. For those unfamiliar, Curwen hand signs are a system of […]