Choral Ethics

“It is not enough just to wish well; we must also do well.” Saint Ambrose

Like people in all walks of life, I am often stretched thin by requests. From my spouse and children, from my choir and professional colleagues, from community and art organizations I support; I am often overwhelmed. No one thinks twice about asking me to do something because I always come through; always. I try to honor those requests and even if I am not able, I try.

It’s gotten a bit too much for me, in addition to my professional obligations and family obligations, to do as much as in years past. Why? I recently realized I do almost nothing I want to do or that brings me joy. When things are a joy, we do them happily, easily and quickly. When things are a burden, they are a chore and drag out. I have requests which take precedence over things that bring me pleasure but I come through, despite the toll. In the last few weeks, my plate has been so full of chores and obligations I have reached my limit. And am extremely tired. I have decided to cull my obligations.

I am not alone in culling obligations. Jaqueline* began cutting out those time wasters a few years ago. In fact, her story inspired me to take a look at my own life.

A few years ago, Jaqueline’s daughter asked her to help with her Troop’s annual Girl Scout Cookie Drive. But she didn’t actually ask at first because she was crying. Why was she crying? She wanted her Mom to help but KNEW she would not be able to because she is so busy. Now Jaqueline is a former Girl Scout herself and loves the Cookie Drive and couldn’t imagine why her daughter would think that; except she really IS busy.

Her fairly large church job and community chorus directorship require she attend many rehearsals of course but also many, many, MANY committee meetings. And most of those committee meetings she did not need to attend but did so to keep aware of things pertaining to her choral groups. So she tried to figure out how she could help her daughter’s troop by cutting out things she could cut out for six weeks. After explaining her situation to her supervising clergy and the chorus board, she realized she needed to attend only ONE MEETING during those six weeks. They emailed the minutes of the other meetings she did not attend. It was fine.

After the Cookie Drive was over, Jaqueline started to go back to her old ways. But she soon discovered something; she didn’t need to attend most of those meetings. Jaqueline sat in meeting after meeting and began to look at things with fresh eyes. It was a nice idea to show her church job and her community chorus she wanted to be involved and aware of what was happening. But she didn’t NEED to be involved with the theme of the fund raiser or to help get bids for a new roof for the church. Her Epiphany, if you will, came after a two hours discussion of gift baskets for a silent auction while her youngest had a bad cold and a fever. Again, she spoke with her supervising clergy and the chorus board and was supported in her decision to cut back on her meeting attendance. Both groups assured her, if she was really needed at a particular meeting she wasn’t scheduled to attend, she would be alerted. In the past three years, there have been two extra meetings she needed to attend.

Jaqueline tells me since she’s cut out extra meetings, she feels physically better. She occasionally volunteers for her children’s elementary school and scouting activities of her own choosing. And also has more energy for her church job and community chorus. It’s been Win-Win for all concerned; her family as well as her jobs. Jaqueline realized she CAN’T do it all without taking a toll on her own person.

All of us are busy, with sometimes unnecessary BUSYNESS. We can’t imagine we could get more things accomplished if we cut out extra things we’ve been led to believe are important, but aren’t. With more energy and more time to re-charge, we CAN get more accomplished if we cut out things that waste our time. I am taking a page from Jaqueline this month; I already feel less stressed!

*Name Withheld

“Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” Francis of Assisi

Last week, we finished our Mark Twain February inspirations. For March, I thought quotes from a few Saints might help get us on the right track for the month.

Those of us with church positions began our yearly Lenten Journey last week. If we have an academic or community position, we will also soon begin our trek to the end of the semester or concert year. This is a busy time, with the occasional unplanned difficulty thrown in to keep us on our toes. And it’s how we prepare, as much as one can prepare, which can make or break us.

ChoralNetter Shanna’s* story (under rehearsed chorus but concert was okay) has appeared in the two previous Choral Ethics Blogs. She is a good example of handling an unplanned difficulty in the best possible way. We’ve been corresponding for around six weeks about her situation and each time we exchange emails, it becomes clear to me she has good instincts.

Last fall, she began working on the most difficult sections of her two large choral works. As rehearsals progressed, she added material before each section and after each section until she had the movement thoroughly rehearsed. When illness struck many of her singers, her chorus had a good chunk of the difficult portions under their belts, though she did not realize it. While she tells me her chorus’s concert was not quite up to their own standards, it was perfectly fine. And when she listened to the concert recording, it was better than she remembered. If you were to be put in to a situation similar to Shanna’s, how would you handle it?

The end of winter and the beginning of spring can present us with challenges, both weather-wise and health-wise. There is often a late snow storm or rain or other bit of inclement weather causing our singers or ourselves to miss rehearsals or even a concert or worship service. With the coronavirus possibility and regular colds and flu going around, there is a good chance something important will be cancelled or postponed this year. Are we prepared? And how DO we prepare?

We should begin rehearsals with what is most important for our concerts or worship services. If we are doing a cantata for Lent or Easter, we can tackle the most difficult portions first. Anything requested by our clergy or that is important to our ensemble should come next. Structure your rehearsals with the idea you will not be able to have every one you’ve planned and squeeze in as much as possible every rehearsal. Have a few pieces your chorus is familiar with which can be used as Plan B in the event rehearsals need to be cancelled. That way, if you need to cancel one or more rehearsals due to weather or illness, it won’t be as dire. And if you DO need to cancel a rehearsal, especially because of the weather or illness, do it without regret; your singers will thank you later.

Busy work should begin as rehearsals progress so if you are distracted by the unavoidable, it will be ready. Do as much preparation as you as able as early as you are able to keep things on track. There is still time to get ahead of things during Lent, so do what you need to soon. Then relax and take things as they come.

*Name Withheld