Latest Blog Posts

“Christmas is a season not only of rejoicing but of reflection.” Winston Churchill I’m rerunning some Choral Ethics blogs from years past with a few modifications where needed. Two of my MOST REQUESTED December Blogs will also be making their yearly appearances. In a few days, it will be Christmas Eve. Your plans have been […]

Elizabeth Weismehl teaches K-5 General Music and Choir at Avoca West School in Glenview, IL, and directs Voices Rising at the Midwest Youth Artists Conservatory in Ft. Sheridan, IL. _ _ _ _ _ _ “Ms. Weismehl! Ms. Weismehl!” a second grader blurted out with her hand raised. I was in mid-sentence, and the flow […]

 I’m rerunning some Choral Ethics blogs from years past with a few modifications where needed. Two of my MOST REQUESTED December Blogs will be making their yearly appearances, including today’s. Happy December! ~MLGA I love “Messiah”. Truth be told, it is probably one of my favorite large choral works.  There’s a little something for everyone–from […]

Nothing we do as choral singers, directors teachers, music appreciators and consumers would be possible without the “garden” that grows our young musicians in elementary school. Music as a language grows best in the early years. Let’s water the garden. This week, Elementary general music and choir director, Chy Billings from Olathe, KS joins me […]

“Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything.” Plato Why do we love music? And why make it our life’s work? I’ve been pondering this question as I organize some of my ChoralNetters favorite holiday […]

I am really trying to embrace ChatGPT, and other AI tools, partially because I don’t want my students cheating, but really because we all need to prepare for how AI will impact our future. So, I try to instill not just concepts but critical thinking and life skills into every lesson. Hopefully students will then […]

“I am grateful for what I am and have. My thanksgiving is perpetual.” Henry David Thoreau Today’s Choral Ethics blog is a revisit and one of Choral Ethics most requested blogs, edited to be timely. Happy Thanksgiving, ChoralNet! ~MLGA I always try to be grateful, and I remain grateful, despite much upheaval in our world. […]

“The little things? The little moments? They aren’t little.“ Jon Kabat-Zinn It’s easy to think about gratitude when the calendar tells us to.  Thanksgiving Day is a traditional time to celebrate gratitude as we gather with others and eat a large meal (and fall asleep afterwards to the lulling sounds of the big football game). […]

Thank you for taking time to read the October issue of the Choral Journal which focused on Advocacy and Collaboration. We have loved hearing how the content inspired, motivated, or encouraged you. This month’s blog post is a direct response to the “Share Your Story” project and we can’t wait for you to hear about […]

“My sorrow, when she’s here with me, thinks these dark days of autumn rain are beautiful as days can be; she loves the bare, the withered tree; she walks the sodden pasture lane.” Robert Frost Today’s Choral Ethics blog is a revisit to a blog from a few years ago, edited to be timely. Hope […]