The first major chill of the season has settled on Boston. Ever since high school I have struggled with neck tension and back pain at this time of year as my shoulders creep up against the cold. The weather and a long week had me tense and tired by Thursday afternoon, the day of myContinue reading >>
A weekend away, with thoughts on singing for people you love.
In case any of you were considering teaching the first five periods on a Friday and then getting on an airplane, I don’t recommend it. This weekend was the long awaited wedding of the brother of a dear friend, whose family I have known since childhood. I took a cab from work to the airportContinue reading >>
Rejection
Well, I just got what will surely be the first of many PFOs for this season. For those of you not in the business, a PFO stands for Please Eff Off and is opera lingo for a rejection letter. This was for a summer apprenticeship that I knew was a real stretch, but at leastContinue reading >>
“By some chance, here we are, all on this earth”…notes on gratitude
Last week in Godschool our teacher modeled a particular pedagogical method by doing a lesson on gratitude. She made a very interesting point: that part of gratitude is living in the moment. I had never thought of it quite that way, but all my experience points in that direction. Although I am capable of beingContinue reading >>
Thoughts on Beethoven
We had an orchestra rehearsal this morning for Beethoven’s 9th. It should be a crime to make people sing that music before noon. Last night was the Mass in C. I have sung that piece a number of times before, and its one of my favorites. Unlike most Beethoven, it’s a pleasant sing. Tomorrow weContinue reading >>