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Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: Busy Times

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“He, who every morning plans the transactions of the day, and follows that plan, carries a thread that will guide him through a labyrinth of the most busy life.” Victor Hugo

This was written and scheduled before COVID-19 changed our world. Please enjoy and hope we all are soon back to normal!

I am sure you are busy. In fact, I know you are busy this week. This week, Holy Week is the distillation of all we as choral professionals do, packed into seven days. A friend of mine in grad school, who used to sung with the professional choir at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago, told me she and her fellow choristers called this “H**L Week.” At the end of it on Easter Sunday, they came out of it bleary eyed, craving chocolate and wanting to sleep for 24 hours. Most church musicians can relate to this and even if you are not a church musician, you can relate.

Whether you are singing, playing or conducting this week, you are busy. But this is just the showy part of the worship services, lined up one after another during Holy Week, the real work took place months ago. I explain to my civilian friends and family, being a choral conductor means steady planning for months, then intense busyness, then nothing. And repeat. It may seem to my mother-in-law I don’t work during the summer but it’s my most productive time. And my planning is probably more important than my actual doing.

This week, all your plans are coming to fruition. Everything you’ve been working on for months is finally coming together. There is a light at the end tunnel, along with the Easter Lilies. You are almost there with only a couple of rehearsals left.

Remember to jot down, when you have a minute, what works and what doesn’t this week so you’ll be a bit ahead for next year. Remember to eat properly and get enough sleep (if you can) so you can get through the whole week and not crash at the end. Remember to participate in, as well as observe your beautifully planned Tenebrae service and feel the wonder of it all. Remember to guide your choirs and the other musicians through the last part of the Lenten journey. Remember to remember what this feels like; a wonderfully planned and perfectly executed Holy Week and even if you don’t think it is, someone will, so take the compliment!

We are almost there, almost. Take a break, take a nap and then buckle down for these last few days. The brass players are ready, the organ and piano are tuned, your choirs seem prepared and everything is in place. I can smell the Easter Lilies……what are you waiting for…let’s do this!

Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: Appearing to Get Along

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“While you are proclaiming peace with your lips, be careful to have it even more fully in your heart.” Francis of Assisi

This was written and scheduled before COVID-19 changed our world. Please enjoy and hope we all are soon back to normal!

If you’ve been reading my Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics blogs for any length of time, you know I HATE GOSSIP! Hate it. Detest it and LOATH it, especially in a choral setting.

It does no good to gossip about our colleagues and their ensembles.  It doesn’t help the arts community in general or the choral community specifically to “bad mouth” others. We are all in this together and the sooner we realize it and behave accordingly, the sooner we will reap the benefits. We should be supportive of each other, since if your group is doing well, my group should be as well.

Many forget this truth. They attend concerts and gossip about the performance or the concert wear or who is doing what and how well WHILE THE CONCERT IS HAPPENING. They repeat gossip they hear to their friends and the truth, whatever it is, morphs into something unrecognizable, the victim of a game of “Telephone.” It might be “fun” but it is damaging because it destroys good will. And art organizations, no matter on the church, school or community level, need good will to survive.

My own chamber choir is not the norm in our community and as often as not, is referred to as that “little choir” in a rather disparaging way. The singers in my choir understand we are that “little choir” until proven otherwise. There is often gossip about us, especially from singers in other ensembles. We know we are singing music no other ensemble in our community is singing because it’s difficult and like it just fine.

I hate the gossip which surrounds some art organizations–you know the ones I mean. I won’t tolerate gossip in my rehearsals from singers about other groups, especially if they are former members of those other groups.  You won’t hear a bad word from me about my conducting colleagues or their choirs in public or private.  I will nod or be non-committal when gossip swirls around me but I won’t join in the “fun” no matter what. I know when the gossip is directed at me in my presence and I refuse to acknowledge it, I look stupid or naïve. If I say anything in retaliation or make an equally nasty comment, I will be sinking to their level.  And I will look as poorly as they do.  Better to be thought of as stupid than nasty!

There is a difference between networking and gossip.  If someone retires and there is an open position, it’s good to know. It’s also good to hear why the person is leaving so we can decide if we really want to apply. Whoever applies for the first job and then gets it will create another opening.  And so on, down the food chain of choral jobs. We’ve all heard stories about colleagues in our community: the “too big for his britches” fellow who got the plum church job and was asked to leave after eight months or the college conductor who retired and left a mess for his successor to clean up or the community chorus director who didn’t try to be a community member.  I never believe such stories unless I hear it from a person I respect. I don’t repeat the stories to anyone because I don’t want to perpetuate gossip.  It’s not fair to my colleagues and I don’t want to get that reputation.

Repetition creates habit, as we all know from our own practicing and rehearsing. If we get into the habit of gossiping, we will continue to gossip. I have often thought if we said nice things about others, even if we don’t believe it, it would create the habit of saying nice things about others. Perhaps someday, we would even believe those nice things. Wouldn’t that be nice?

Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: Feeding Our Souls

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“Love takes up where knowledge leaves off.” Thomas Aquinas

As I write this, the world has gone crazy. We are worried about COVID-19, about cancelling rehearsals, concerts and worship services. We are all frightened and angry and a bit lost. We worry about our loved ones, our own health and our profession. Many of us are gigging musicians and cancelling a job when we need the money is stressful.

I just made the tough decision of canceling several rehearsals myself; we had just begun our rehearsal cycle. Our concert, as of now, is still on because by May 31 things COULD be back to normal. I’ve been in contact with my venue and they will keep our date scheduled unless something else happens. I am also scrambling to adjust our challenging repertoire to maybe something not QUITE as challenging with rehearsals cut. My singers understand and are resigned, thank goodness, to this adjustment but I am exhausted with trying to decide what is best. I am sure you are too.

Is the stress, of canceling rehearsals and concerts, taking a toll on YOU? Is the uncertainty of the salary you were counting on making you anxious? Are you taking care of yourself so that you may take care of others? As leaders our needs are often overlooked but we need comfort and reassurance as much as anyone else.

I came to understand the need for support of leaders about 15 years ago, when I had a large church job. I conducted four groups and it was a challenging, but great, job. We had a wonderful, congenial staff that enjoyed working with each other and our congregation. But one fall during the space of six weeks, from mid-August to the end of September, staff members EACH suffered a loss. Clergy lost her Grandfather and I lost my Grandmother. The church secretary lost her brother and the Director of Christian Ed lost her father. Our organist also lost his father and the Sexton’s wife had a stroke. To say we were all the walking wounded was an understatement.

Our congregation, while knowing about each of our losses, couldn’t understand why we were just going through the motions of our jobs. At a staff meeting in the middle of all this, our Clergy remarked that we ministers needed to be ministered to. We decided to minister to one another and it was remarkable the difference it made in our healing and our ability to perform our jobs.

We need to take care of ourselves during this time of Pandemic. In our quest to get rehearsal tracks out, virtual rehearsals organized and to make sure our folks know what is happening with rehearsals and concerts, we could also take a little time for ourselves. Perhaps connect with colleagues making the same choices we have had to make for reassurance. Make something yummy and listen to something we haven’t had a chance to lately. Watch a movie we’ve been meaning to or Skype with a loved one we’re worried about. Reach out, while self-distancing, to those who mean something to us to let them know we love them and are thinking of them.

Let’s try to feed our souls while trying to follow the guidelines. Read, draw, write, practice or sight read and be creative in ways we haven’t had time to in our busy lives. But remember this; All Passes-ART alone endures.

Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: I Wish I Could

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“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

Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: As Lent Begins

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“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

Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: Making Do

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“Let us not be too particular; it is better to have old secondhand diamonds than none at all.” Mark Twain

We try to uphold our high standards, but occasionally all we can do is get through. Whether it’s a concert or a rehearsal or an event of some sort we had planned for thoroughly and everything would have gone wonderfully, if only Life hadn’t intervened. Those are the times when “good enough” is good enough. But do we beat ourselves up over not being perfect when circumstances beyond our control occur? Do we complain or throw accusations at others? Do we quit, discouraged because we had to deal with something we hadn’t planned and needed to dig deep to make it work?

Last week’s story from ChoralNetter Shanna* about her under-rehearsed (because of an outbreak of illness and absences) community chorus and their winter concert is a perfect example of what I mean. Shanna initially contacted me because she wanted suggestions on how to phrase her excuse to their audience before the concert began. She wanted to explain why they wouldn’t be as good as usual. I counseled NOT to say anything and let the concert play out. It turned out fine, perhaps not excellent, but good enough. If she had said something, especially in front of her chorus, who’s to say what would have happened? Why did it turn out fine? I have my theories which I have shared with Shanna.

Shanna’s chorus must have had excellent preparation prior to their absentee issues. I asked her specific questions. She shared they had tackled the more difficult sections of two larger works as rehearsals began in the fall; she believes that is what saved their concert. As well, her singers must have understood the need to be especially “in the moment” and not take anything for granted during the performance. In other words, she set her chorus up for success by how she structured when material would be learned. And her chorus came through by paying attention.

If we are expected to come through no matter what, we can set ourselves up for success. We can have understudies and covers for solos. We can tackle the difficult bits first. We can encourage practice between rehearsals. We can have several alternative pieces, rehearsed and at the ready, in the event of a cold and flu outbreak. We can model healthy vocal habits and good health hygiene. And then, we can let it go and do what needs to be done when it needs to be done.

Over a decade ago, my family was to attend the inaugural concert of an outdoor performing facility on July Fourth. My spouse was on the board of the professional orchestra who would be playing and we all looked forward to the event, including fireworks, that evening. During the morning, we attended the local Fourth of July parade and one of our sons marched in the band. We visited with friends, had some ice cream and headed home about 2 pm. Around that time, my spouse decided to tell me something he’d been meaning to tell me for WEEKS; the concert was also a potluck for the orchestra and wanted to know what we were bringing.

I screamed and then became quiet; I had four hours to pull something together. I realized I had some frozen cookie dough in the freezer leftover from a youth symphony fundraiser, and baked every bit. I actually like to bake from scratch so this was not what I usually do, but people liked the cookies. In fact, they LOVED THEM. I was asked over and over for the recipe, so much so, it made me uncomfortable. I kept saying I “made them with love” and that’s why they were so good. My spouse asked me what I meant by that. I told him to hush and would explain later. Ever since, our family says we “made it with love” when we pull something off we don’t expect to or we have to fudge a bit to make something work. We know what we mean but others are confused, which suits us just fine. I also always have frozen cookie dough in my freezer.

*Name Withheld

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