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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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St. Cecilia Chamber Choir Presents Lessons and Carols for the Christmas Season on Dec. 20 and 21

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St. Cecilia Chamber Choir will present its popular annual Lessons and Carols Christmas concerts on Saturday, Dec. 20 at 4:00 p.m. at Bowdoin College Chapel in Brunswick, and Sunday, Dec. 21 at 4:00 p.m. at Damariscotta Baptist Church. Linda Blanchard is St. Cecilia’s artistic director, assisted by organist Sean Fleming. Advance tickets are strongly encouraged for […]

Festival of Choirs: Cambridge UK, ft Sir John Rutter

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Festival of Choirs is thrilled to announce their inaugural festival, in Cambridge, UK, with special guest appearance by Sir John Rutter In association with Cambridge University Schola Cantorum, the Cambridge Festival 2026 gives a unique opportunity to choirs from around the world to live and perform in Cambridge’s iconic and historic chapels and churches. The […]

What is a meeting music Festival Choir?

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How does a W.A. Mozart’s majestic Requiem sound when sung by hundreds of singers? Find out at our next festival Laurea Mundi Budapest! One of the most powerful things is when many people are singing together as one. This is what our Festival Choir is all about. Singers and choirs of any level are invited […]

Thames Philharmonic Choir – Awake, Rejoice!

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Kick off Christmas with TPC! Thames Philharmonic Choir kicks off the Christmas season with an evening of festive music on Saturday 6 December at 7.30pm at All Saints Kingston. At the heart of the programme are two masterpieces:JS Bach’s Cantata Wachet Auf (often known as Sleepers Awake) – one of his best-loved works, weaving together […]

12/13, Oakland Interfaith Youth Choir’s 28th Holiday Concert: Yuletide Youth

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Featuring: Oakland Interfaith Kids Choir, Oakland Interfaith Youth Choir, Guest Artists … and more!   $20 General Admission | $15 Students/Seniors | FREE for OUSD Students.   Presented by Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir   https://www.oigc.org/tickets 510-839-4361

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