arrange • compose • conduct
The best part of speaking a new language is that you get to see in a new way. When you learn to play guitar, you see harmony in a different way than when you play piano. Switch from soprano to alto, and you learn to understand how the parts fit together, […]
Twenty-seven years ago, in 1991, these four giants of vocal harmony groups all released albums in the same year. (Parentheses indicate their first album release date.) The Offbeat of Avenues – Manhattan Transfer (1975) Hearts of Fire – New York Voices (1989) Röster – The Real Group (1987) He Is […]
Who are your colleagues? The P.E. teachers* in your building might be your colleagues on paper, but if choral educators need counsel, they really need to seek it from their true colleagues. Choral conductor colleagues don’t work in the same building. They don’t work in the same district! If you […]
In her wonderful, vital new book The Art of Gathering, Priya Parker writes, “Great hosts…understand that how you end things, like how you begin them, shapes people’s experience, sense of meaning, and memory.” Choir directors get to practice endings really often – and are generally pretty good at the big ones. We know […]
A common rule about standup comedy is that bombing – failing to make the audience laugh – is an inevitable part of the growth and mastery of the craft. “Bombing, however, is also the most crucial part about stand up; without failing, you can’t learn. And without learning, you can’t […]
I wish I didn’t need this message from Harrison Witt quite as often as I do. We need to turn hateful words into love, We need to live for what we’re dreaming of. An act of kindness can go a long way, So let’s be mindful of what we say. […]
Hummingbirds took a left turn millions of years ago from the rest of birds – they evolved to be much smaller, lighter, faster, than any other birds. Indeed, look at one now and you’ll find it hard to believe that they have far more in common with a bald eagle […]
There are three vertices to the triangle of music-making. Composer. Performer. Audience. Can you neglect these and have an acceptable performance? Sure – within reason. A strong connection between performer and audience can transcend material that is not stellar. A strong, supportive audience can lift up a lesser performer, and […]
It is undoubtedly the case that we absorb the culture we’re around. We pick up cues – intentional and not – from those around us, particularly our authorities: parents, teachers, leaders. We absorb the culture and then we reflect it back. So it is that we can affect our students […]
Imposter syndrome seems to be a common ailment these days: the sense that your accomplishments are fraudulent and that any minute you’ll be discovered for the imposter you actually are. The natural reaction to imposter syndrome is to back up: remove yourself from the sensation of fraudulence and return to […]