I am glad to hear that you were patient and let things work themselves out (with a little help, it seems)

To me he just seems inexperienced and full of this is what I would love to be doing with you'll. But until I get the choir and players that I dream of, I am going to shape you'll up!!!!!

Forgetting of course that everyone there is a volunteer for sharing music for their church (along with some paid participants)

Maybe he is now growing, with you'lls help!

I almost feel that there is the possibility of a church choir group hug that includes the new guy!

I think it is always difficult to be the new person stepping into a position in a group that has already been formed and full of past experiences.

I can also see the ambitions of a new director projecting his aspirations onto this choir whether they are ready for him or not.

I can almost see the elbows go out to the sides while holding the music - elbows rigidly out were always a sign of discomfort to me when I played in churches. I watched the body language in the choir just as much as I watched the director.

There are, to me, two conditions that tell me something is "off":1) too much talking and laughter during rehearsals, 2) no talking and no laughter at all.

I'm glad that you and he communicated his musical potential to each other. Now the communication part can really start, and he does have so much to learn about the personal dynamics of directing a choir.

I feel that we can only be effective piano teachers when the student has given his permission for us to teach, and I feel the same way about other situtations where musicians have to work together, it goes better with their permission, that's when the real collaboration begins.

Enjoy your December music together!

Betty

I remember being a young director. I had "standards" and knew what I wanted, couldn't understand why everyone couldn't be as passionate or knowledgeble as I, and (the biggest problem) I couldn't listen to what the group was doing because I was so preoccupied with my conducting skills.

We learn as we go and sometimes the learning has to be the hard way. Hopefully this young person will continue to learn and grow. I know I did.

heh..

i went to a concert of his last nite.. he is a member of the chorus and accompanies the orchestra.

i saw him afterwards and he was so happy to see me he hugged me. .. really hugged me hard.



(he is a dear)

Awwww! How nice! Is he being better accepted?

We all are getting along much better.

i'm beginning to love this kid. he's a bit of a drama queen if you know what i mean, and constantly looks to me for approval. we secretly laugh at the basses who sing so loud...

we practiced his solo O Holy Night. I'm practically in love, he sings so well. (no falsetto tonite)

who'd a thunk?

sounds like you are doing a grand job of mentoring a young musician who will likely always be grateful to you.

good going, mary!

You are going to miss him when he's gone...

Life can be weird some times..

just an update..

i LOVE working with this kid because I am learning so much. My organ skills have improved 200 % just by osmosis. I really like him --- i can totally identify with him.. however, most of the instrumentalists have quit. There is a lot of pressure from the guitarists and brass to form a new group (i'm sticking with the brilliant kid). We are down to one flute, one violin, me and the singers.

Why can't manners and leadership skills be a part of music 101?

Because the focus of our education is internal, developing a performer.

This is not a customer focused endeavor. Try working in industry sometime, you will be shocked at the change in attitude. It's not subtle, it's a paradigm shift.

Of course that's not the only reason, but IMO it is part of it.

another update.

i'm very sad.. I quit my group.. not because of him really...i have to move, move my husband's business and help build the new house*.. but he sure helped.

he totally took over for Easter Week... The prima donna show. We parted on good terms and he is not returning next year..(about which I am kind of sad and kind of ecstatic.. my good friend and partner is returning). I really did like the kid. We are only scheduled to play 2 more times between now and June 15th.. so he is a sense winding up.

Altho he got much better leading us in his own way, all the instruments except me and flautist, quit during this year. Also along the way we acquired some biblical fundamentalist linguists who always had to comment on the translations and trash the body of church music and our repertoire. (I will not miss them especially since they were mostly full of bull.)

(apple, who had six years of Latin and got a grant after college to work on biblical manuscripts attempting to redate them etymologically)

see a pic of our house to be.

Sorry to hear about your quitting the group, but it is certainly understandable. And that is very exciting about your new house! It's good that you're freeing up your schedule to supervise the building process, because you'll need all that time (and probably more).

I checked out your blog, and I have to say the original owner/builder was nuts. Your new floor plan is MUCH more livable! And it looks like you've identified an ideal spot for the piano.

Golly, Apple, you have so much going on!

I'm so happy to hear about the plans and progress on your house. I'm sending my best wishes in every way for a wonderful experience and all good memories leading toward moving into your huge, new house!

Can I ask you if your biblical and Latin background and all of the characteristics or profile of a person keenly interested in what that entails (being scholarly and precise and dedicated, come to mind) has had a huge impact on your philosophy of music and also your approach to Bach and the music scholars. I saw a video of you playing Bach somewhere on the forum, but I don't know when or where I saw it. Do you have some videos floating around, Apple? I remember hearing serenity and brilliance in your playing and appreciating your musicianship. I think you gave me the answer about your source of inspiration (in the spirit) when you made your comments.

The sacred influence toward religious archives and the early world of music and humanity is a precious study of substance. Our comtemporary world caught up in the dither of too many choices for people leads us away from things significant toward things very fleeting and unproductive. This would also apply to your young friend who lives and relates more egotistically.

I like old souls! You have a deep and courageous one, I think! That is my impression of you here in cyber space!

Betty