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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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23rd Venezia in Musica International Choir Festival & Competition

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At meeting music, we all adore Venice and its surroundings: the palaces, romantic buildings, lagoons and gondolas, the clean and tiny charm of the small cities around… Have you ever been there? If not, you should come and join us, if yes, you already know what we are talking about. meeting music is excited to […]

Castle in Austria where Mozart Requiem was commissioned opens its doors to visiting choirs from around the world

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Reinhard and Rita Zellinger, owners of the Castle, welcome choirs from all over the world to visit the Castle near Vienna owned by Count Walsegg when he commissioned Mozart’s Requiem. Never before has the opportunity existed to spend time in the Castle and sing the Requiem together in the place where it all started.  For […]

Laurea Mundi – the place for all choirs

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Are you up for a challenge? Yes? No? Maybe? Do not worry, any answer is good – we have a festival where every choir can find the activity that they feel suits them the most. meeting music kindly invites you to the 6th edition of Laurea Mundi Budapest International Open Competition & Grand Prix of […]

Region Honor Choir Applications–Critical Update

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Are you planning to have students audition for your Region Honor Choirs? If so, there are some critical updates to the application process that warrants your immediate attention. We’ve gone through another update since the 2025 National Conference. We want to ensure you can navigate the system without any hiccups. To have a successful application […]

Award winning Italian opera singer offers vocal coaching for choirs preparing for events – online paypal or Sarawak

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Italian opera singer and winner of international competitions, I inherited the 1950-70s vocal technique from my renowned teachers of the golden age of singing.   Chorus master and vocal coach, with a past career as both baritone and tenor in the Italian repertoire. My teachers include renowned singers from the golden age of opera, such […]

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