Dona eis requiem, sempiternam requiem

Remember how I was bragging a few weeks ago on my little 6th grade girls’ choir?  I had introduced them to a new song I wanted them to sing for their spring concert, and the next time I went back to rehearse it the sweet little stinkers had learned it cold....

Learn it Fast

I’m all about the maximum conservation of energy, and I never have enough time to teach new music.  Here’s the quick and dirty method I use for musical theatre. Speak through all the lyrics, making sure you are pronouncing all the words. If this is truly...
The Icing on the Cake

The Icing on the Cake

From time immemorial (or beyond the reach of my memory, anyway) Rexann Hulsey was the lady who made our cakes. Twice a year, when my brother and I celebrated birthdays, we had one of her delicious sculptures. I knew that not everyone had such wonderful birthday cakes....

Expectations from your Musical Director

In case you ever wondered what we expect once you’ve been cast in a show:   I expect you to warm up on the way to rehearsal.  We will warm up at rehearsal most of the time, but if you’ve got your voice ready to go, the rehearsal warm up will go a long...
Advice From Your Accompanist

Advice From Your Accompanist

On the heels of my last blog, I’ve been meaning to write down the sort of advice that I learned from some of the best, and advice that some of you already know. As an accompanist and musical director, these are the things that make me cringe for you if you miss them...