You see your home differently when a stranger walks into it. Suddenly, you’re seeing it through a stranger’s eyes.
Suddenly, every mark on the wall, misplaced toy, dirty dish is readily apparent to you: even if they have evaded your eyes for weeks.
The same thing happens when a guest clinician works with your choir – suddenly you hear with their ears. Suddenly, the strengths – and weaknesses – of your ensemble are clear.
Some react to this truth by keeping strangers out – don’t go to festival, don’t invite people over for dinner, don’t open up your world (and your soul) to people who will open your senses in return.
But the only way to make your work better is to see it clearly and fix it. And a stranger’s eyes can be a great way to improve your own vision.