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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

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 had 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 used to seem to my mother-in-law I didn’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 this 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!

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Brattleboro Concert Choir presents Requiem for Animals: A World Premiere

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On May 17 and 18, the Brattleboro Concert Choir (https://bmcvt.org/brattleboro-concert-choir/) presents the world premiere of Keane Southard’s “Requiem for Animals,” an major new work for choir and orchestra that challenges us to reconsider our relationship with other animals, brilliantly and brutally confronting us with a question: what is our responsibility to speak for the voiceless, […]

Susquehanna Chorale Youth/Children’s Choirs Announces Auditions

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The Susquehanna Chorale Educational Outreach Program invites young singers to audition for the 2025-2026 season. Auditions are by appointment and have been scheduled for Tuesday, May 20, 6:30 p.m. start time at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Hershey, Tuesday, May 27, 6:30 p.m. start time, Camp Hill High School, and Saturday, June 7, 1:00 start […]

Susquehanna Chorale Youth/Children’s Choirs Announces Audition Schedule

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The Susquehanna Chorale Educational Outreach Program invites young singers to audition for the 2025-2026 season. Auditions are by appointment and have been scheduled for Tuesday, May 20, 6:30 p.m. start time at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Hershey, Tuesday, May 27, 6:30 p.m. start time, Camp Hill High School, and Saturday, June 7, 1:00 start […]

Susquehanna Chorale Youth/Children’s Choirs Announces Audition Schedule

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The Susquehanna Chorale Educational Outreach Program invites young singers to audition for the 2025-2026 season. Auditions are by appointment and have been scheduled for Tuesday, May 20, 6:30 p.m. start time at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Hershey, Tuesday, May 27, 6:30 p.m. start time, Camp Hill High School, and Saturday, June 7, 1:00 start […]

Repertoire suggestions for choir and orchestra and/or string/wind ensemble

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Our choir is celebrating its 60th anniversary next year, and we’re beginning our search for repertoire. We need suggestions for pieces for choir and orchestra and/or string/wind ensemble that are relatively easy for our members to learn (about 80% don’t read music), ideally by a contemporary composer, and something that will easily connect with our […]

Mozart Requiem Choir Festival 2026

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The Mozart Requiem Festival invites choirs and individual singers from around the world to Vienna for a profound musical journey centered on Mozart’s final masterpiece, the Requiem in D minor, K. 626. Each year, participants join a professional orchestra under the baton of renowned conductor Christoph Ehrenfellner, performing this iconic work in one of Vienna’s […]

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