What’s the high-quality problem you spend the most time solving?
My brother recently introduced me to the idea of “high-quality problems” and I’ve been thinking about how they might apply to musical situations.
A high-quality problem is a problem, to be sure; it’s something that needs solving. But unlike a low-quality problem, it’s one that sits atop a good situation. Like many people, my brother diversified his work during the pandemic; his high-quality problem is now the work he specialized in pre-pandemic is returning to its usual pace, so his business is now busier than it’s ever been. Again, it’s a problem for sure – it’s not sustainable as it stands. But the solution will leave him in a better position because it’s a high-quality problem. Compare that to a low-quality problem: perhaps a lack of clients for your business. It’s not clear that that is a problem stemming from a positive source.
What are some high-quality problems in the choral ensemble?
- You have to learn music quickly because there are always performances close at hand. (i.e., your ensemble is in demand)
- Ensemble members are always suggesting/requesting new repertoire (i.e., you have singers engaged in the ensemble)
- You have a high number of auditions for ensemble (i.e., there is a strong interest in the work the ensemble is doing)
- You have trouble finding music that will engage and challenge your students (i.e., singers are well educated and have strong opinions on music)
All of these are problems – things that will take effort and time to solve. But all of them are problems resulting from underlying strengths.