arrange • compose • conduct
“Who wants to sail on a skipperless ship?” (71) A skipperless ship is not something most choral gatherings need to worry about – indeed, conductors are very accustomed to being the skippers of their ships. That said, I know I’m often motivated to be a “chill” leader in my rehearsals […]
“The desire to keep doors open–to not offend, to maintain a future opportunity–is a thereat to gathering with purpose.” (p.35) Auditions. Auditions are at the core of how many ensemble directors deal with the question of inclusion/exclusion. Musicals, advanced ensembles, even solos – these are all opportunities to wrestle with […]
It comes down to this: “A category is not a purpose.” (p.2) So here’s the question of the day: a choir is a category – what is it purpose? Parker writes, “If I were to ask you the purpose behind [your] gatherings, I wouldn’t be surprised to hear what I […]
“As much as our gatherings disappoint us, though, we tend to keep gathering in the same tired ways. Most of us remain on autopilot when we bring people together, following stale formulas, hoping that the chemistry of a good meeting, conference, or party will somehow take care of itself, that […]
I’m beginning a series on the brilliant book The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker, looking at the ideas from each chapter and how they might specifically apply to choral gatherings. As we go, I’m going to write about specific choral gatherings that I encounter in a normal school/concert year, […]
It turns out, you can go back again. Thirty years later, I successfully and cheerfully finished a backpacking trip with a Scout troop, much like the one I remember on Isle Royale when I was thirteen. This one was through the Porcupine Mountains in the UP of Michigan, and it […]
One of the reasons I like to stay consistent in my work is I never have to ask myself, do I know how to do this? I think that question is at the heart of writer’s block – answer that question “No” enough times and you will find yourself blocked. […]
Almost nothing happens in the lyrics of the classic Antonio Carlos Jobim song “Waters Of March.” It’s kind of my favorite thing. The plan of the houseThe body in bedAnd the car that got stuckIt’s the mud, it’s the mud Afloat, adriftA flight, a wingA hawk, a quailThe promise of […]
I’m on a backpacking trip with my son and a few others this weekend; I’m thinking about the process for planning for a backpacking trip. Backpacking effectively is about essentials. What do you need? Because you’ll have to carry it all. When you really assess the essentials, you can tend […]
One of the gifts of teaching music beyond the Western canon is the opportunity to teach music that does not hold score fidelity as an essential ingredient. Vocal harmony music – vocal jazz, contemporary a cappella, and related genres – offers a multitude of opportunities to teach beyond the score. […]