arrange • compose • conduct
One of my challenges as a leader is to accept the power differential between me and my students. Personally, I tend to think of myself as a peer to my students – students of any age. We are all fellow travelers on a journey of learning, and I know that […]
I grew up sailing small boats near near the northern edge of the Detroit River, in a location where you might see a number of fully ladened freighters in a day. They maneuvered the tight shipping lanes between Michigan and Canada, around Belle Isle and various other challenges. We were […]
I think the key to succeeding in math classes was to do enough problems to see the patterns. Then, when confronted with a new problem, you can say, “I’ve solved a problem like that.” And while the path might be different, it isn’t that different. There’s an element of that […]
A choir always needs more leaders coming from within the ensemble. But there’s more than one way to be a leader! Section Leader. Know your parts, lead extra rehearsals, be the one to ask questions for your section. Hey Guys! Leader. Speak up, call out, and generally police the ensemble […]
A good definition of maturity might be: choosing to ignore your first impulses for others’ sake. Maturity is choosing to stay quiet in rehearsal when another section is rehearsing, because your impulse to talk would undermine the other section. Maturity is choosing to practice rather than to look for Pokémon […]
I tried a new activity at this year’s retreat, and I’m keeping it. Two Minute Talents! Each singer brought some small talent or trick (think “Stupid Human Tricks”) that could be performed in two minutes or less. It was raucous fun – laughter, silliness, and impressive, all at once! It […]
The last time I was on a retreat was in 2019, and this weekend I’m (with school approval and as safely as I can) on a retreat with the Rockford Aces. I’ve noticed a trend in my own retreat planning towards more human connection and away from actual musical rehearsal. […]
In rehearsal, I heard myself say, “It’s your group – I’m just here to help you achieve your potential.” I really believe that. I call them “my students” or “my singers” but they don’t belong to me. On the other hand, “their director” is a good description – my role […]
For many of the things in our lives, there is something holding us there. A paycheck. A graduation requirement. A life commitment. When I look around the room of my ensemble in rehearsal, I think, “There is nothing holding them here.” No obligation, no law, no requirement. The only thing […]
If you’re tired of having the same meeting over and over again, it might help to rethink your ideas of agenda and minutes to prioritize progress. Even more freewheeling work conversations (the kind that don’t usually have formal agendas) can benefit from a planned list of topics of discussion, if […]