Today I had an outstanding rehearsal with the Oakland Chorale. Such an event shouldn't seem "blog worthy," but it is. This year's Chorale is a group of entirely earnest, dedicated students. Every one of them wants to be there, is proud of the group, and wants to sing well. So nobody ever really comes to rehearsal with a chip on their shoulder or an attitude. I should be grateful and satisfied, right? But even under those conditions, some rehearsals just aren't very productive. I wasn't very good last week, and as a result, they weren't very good. We got some excellent work done, but it was done without a lot of focus and discipline and could have been so much better. I spent the weekend thinking about how I could better set the group up for real success in rehearsals this week.
Then of course, came the biggest snow storm in Michigan since 1974. Ugh. And we heard those two words that most teachers love: snow day. I get the love for the snow day, but this one just made me unhappy, because I was really excited for Monday's Chorale rehearsal. And then it was gone. Poof! Thank you, snow. So the week started with Symphony Chorus rehearsal Tuesday night without my having a chance to set a tone in Chorale rehearsal on Monday. Tuesday night's rehearsal was technical and very productive. A trusted colleague of mine who sings in the group came up afterward and gave me a hug while telling me she thought it had been a terrific rehearsal. When someone in the choir thinks that, it makes me happy.
So, today we had Chorale. Old Mike would have come in guns a-blazin'. If rehearsals were not up to the level I thought they should have been, it was the singers' fault, and they deserved to be punished for it! Well, maybe not always that extreme, but we've all been in that place. Thing is, that attitude often works. Mean conductor = productive rehearsal. I keep hearing Eph Ehly in my ear telling me that everyone wants to do a good job. While I know that is not 100% true in every choir, it is absolutely true in the Oakland Chorale this year. Absolutely. So what is the point of "punishing" them? For what? So what did I do instead? I started rehearsal by telling them that while we had accomplished some good technical things last week, I felt that the attitude in the group had been positive but lacked focus and determination. I asked them if we could increase our intensity and focus. Then we got to work.
And of course, they did exactly what I asked. I understand I have the privilege of working with advanced singers and musicians. They know what to do and I don't have to work on fundamentals with them. That makes me lucky and in the minority in my profession. But today, my students went to work and really brought it. We got terrific work done on every piece we rehearsed. They were actively involved in solving problems together and asking intelligent questions. And when they sang they were determined. Three of my most experienced altos were out today, and the others, including two who are brand new, worked with tremendous effort and showed real leadership. After rehearsal, a couple of the students remarked to me that they thought it had been a good rehearsal, and they were happy about it. What else can we want?
I love my job.
Then of course, came the biggest snow storm in Michigan since 1974. Ugh. And we heard those two words that most teachers love: snow day. I get the love for the snow day, but this one just made me unhappy, because I was really excited for Monday's Chorale rehearsal. And then it was gone. Poof! Thank you, snow. So the week started with Symphony Chorus rehearsal Tuesday night without my having a chance to set a tone in Chorale rehearsal on Monday. Tuesday night's rehearsal was technical and very productive. A trusted colleague of mine who sings in the group came up afterward and gave me a hug while telling me she thought it had been a terrific rehearsal. When someone in the choir thinks that, it makes me happy.
So, today we had Chorale. Old Mike would have come in guns a-blazin'. If rehearsals were not up to the level I thought they should have been, it was the singers' fault, and they deserved to be punished for it! Well, maybe not always that extreme, but we've all been in that place. Thing is, that attitude often works. Mean conductor = productive rehearsal. I keep hearing Eph Ehly in my ear telling me that everyone wants to do a good job. While I know that is not 100% true in every choir, it is absolutely true in the Oakland Chorale this year. Absolutely. So what is the point of "punishing" them? For what? So what did I do instead? I started rehearsal by telling them that while we had accomplished some good technical things last week, I felt that the attitude in the group had been positive but lacked focus and determination. I asked them if we could increase our intensity and focus. Then we got to work.
And of course, they did exactly what I asked. I understand I have the privilege of working with advanced singers and musicians. They know what to do and I don't have to work on fundamentals with them. That makes me lucky and in the minority in my profession. But today, my students went to work and really brought it. We got terrific work done on every piece we rehearsed. They were actively involved in solving problems together and asking intelligent questions. And when they sang they were determined. Three of my most experienced altos were out today, and the others, including two who are brand new, worked with tremendous effort and showed real leadership. After rehearsal, a couple of the students remarked to me that they thought it had been a good rehearsal, and they were happy about it. What else can we want?
I love my job.