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Take a listen to the news, and you have reason to abandon hope. Michigan candidates are repeating that Michigan third-graders are the worst readers in the country. (Erroneously repeating, mind you.) TV and online news offer shocking or salacious stories to entice their audience, and we tend to assume they […]

Asking questions can be hard. I think we’re taught, unwittingly, that asking questions – betraying lack of knowledge – is a sign of weakness. Teachers, parents, mentors want answers from you, not questions. Which is ironic, because I think one of the things teachers most want is to be asked […]

Design an audition to reflect what you prioritize. There are many “right” ways to hold an audition; many “right” things to prioritize: Ear Sight singing Solo potential Heart Reliability Intellect Perseverance Passion Musicality Probably your ranking of these characteristics is different than mine, and that’s as it should be. Every […]

Here are ten little pieces of audition advice to help students be extra ready for their next opportunity. Practice all audition components, multiple times. Try to create a real-life audition simulation. Get feedback, even if it’s painful to ask. Be more ready than you think you need to be. Ask questions ahead of […]

Find a way to create a sense of urgency: it’s among the most powerful motivators for your choir. To feel a sense of urgency, there are multiple pieces that must all be in play: A sense of ownership of the music. The desire to give a positive performance. Perception of […]

Here’s a simple test of self-efficacy (for any age). Can you happily spend an hour without… A. A screen occupying your eyes and mind. and B. An authority telling you what to do, or even doing it with you. Can your children do this? Can your students? Can you?

Metaphors can be a great way to get your meaning across quickly to the choir. Here are two easy metaphors from nature. Hills. “That decrescendo was like a San Francisco road. Can you make it more like 10 Mile (pick a road in your town)?” Rivers. “There is the same […]

I didn’t know how lucky I was when I started directing this group. Ten years and so many amazing musical moments later, I wake up every Monday feeling blessed that I will rehearse with The Rockford Aces* that evening. There are 46 alums from the previous nine years, and we’ll […]

Over time, you can find people and organizations whose taste you trust no matter what. For me, they include my wife, On Being, Michael Chabon, The New Yorker, and a number of other people and organizations. There are authors, hosts, magazines, news organizations, and individuals on my list. When you discover one, […]

If you aren’t ready in here, you aren’t ready out there. One of the reasons it’s a good idea to practice performing in front of your peers is because it’s a first test of your preparation. If you can’t sing it in rehearsal, confidently, from memory, with attention to all […]