There is a moment when a choir is starting to dig in its heels, hoping that, perhaps, they won’t have to put in the hard work to learn a tricky language or harmonic progression. Or maybe not digging in their heels, just in denial about the personal work it will take to get it done.
There is a moment, when it is time to say, with as much force as you can, “This is happening.”
This is happening! We are performing this piece.
Too early, and it can get filed in the denial folder, adding no positive momentum to the process. Too late, and the singers don’t have time to move their mountain.
But find the right time, and you can see a choir tackle and surmount the biggest musical challenges you throw at them. Say “This is happening” at the perfect moment, and watch as it really, truly does happen.