arrange • compose • conduct
Setting intentions at the beginning of rehearsal is great. For example, I might say, “Let’s set an ensemble intention to have fewer side conversations during rehearsal.” But this intention is more effective if, in the previous rehearsal, I provided feedback at the end. In other words, setting an intention for […]
I know someone who has a little extra anxiety on Sunday nights, because school is coming on Monday. Mild everyday school anxiety is totally normal for lots of kids; and the small disruption in routine created by the weekend is enough to maximize that anxiety on Sunday nights. One of […]
It’s a good thing to make great music with a group. It’s a better thing to make great music with a group of friends. It’s the best thing to make the best music you’re capable of with a group of friends. For the first, you need a good choral leader. […]
My overarching philosophy as a choral leader can come down to these four words: “Wear your authority lightly.” Of course that applies to not overstepping or abusing your authority. That should be obvious and universal. But it also applies to every single interaction. My authority doesn’t make me more right […]
The practice of making your decisions and behaviors match your ideals is the work of a lifetime. We are all working on it. It’s why New Year’s Resolutions continue to exist and hold our attention. The desire of matching ideals and behaviors. Our students will repeatedly fail at this matching–just […]
Many of my artist and performer friends have been sharing articles about the apocalyptic present and gloomy predictions about the future of the arts post-COVID. Arts is often the last area to recover from an economic crisis, and the near-complete elimination of performances has exacerbated that. (It’s further exacerbated by […]
One of the things choir leaders will need to wrestle with in the coming months is students afraid of heartbreak. Last year, my students lost musical performances, a trip to Europe, all concerts after March, and so much more. So did everyone else, of course. But it’s easier for adults, […]
R&R is going to be the goal for next year for choir. Recruitment and Rebuilding. We need to reestablish the norms, the standards of excellence, the atmosphere, the spirit. And we need to counteract the loss due to these highly unusual months. It’s not just choir, of course. Every organization […]
Dr. Brené Brown launched two podcasts in 2020, including the wonderful Unlocking Us. On the very first episode, she introduced us to her idea of FFTs (the FT stands for “First Time”). She outlines the various ways that dealing with a first-time experience can affect our lives, and gives great […]
I think a lot about the concept of moral licensing. Malcolm Gladwell explained it clearly, and introduced it to me, in the first episode of his podcast Revisionist History. In brief: Past good deeds can liberate individuals to engage in behaviors that are immoral, unethical, or otherwise problematic–behaviors they would otherwise avoid for […]