Open Intervals
How to Create Healthier Finances as a Classical Singer
From the organization that doesn't pay on time to the low-balling of honorariums, you've surely seen it all. So have I. I've been paid late, had to demand fees actually be paid, been offered insultingly low fees, and have had to chase payments down after work was completed.
As well all have a "money story," it's not always our personal money stories that trip us up, but sometimes other people who trip us up (financially) on purpose. It's the roommate who doesn't pay rent on time, the friend who…
Let's Wake This Up.
Last week I took one of my lovely colleagues out for lunch, as I've decided to start singing again. We hashed through loads of things, like agents, current pay (very important), information on new ensembles, and even a Jungian psychoanalyst and her view of der Erlkönig.
We also talked shortly about gowns. I'm not gonna lie, it's one of my favorite parts of singing--dressing up in a gorgeous gown, picking it out because it has exactly the color I like, and because sometimes a hot pink dress make…
Bach's family were underpaid musicians, too.
Recently I started reading John Eliot Gardiner's Bach: Music in the Castle of Heaven. I've had it for years and am happy to have finally taken it off the shelf.
There is a long section on Bach's family of musicians, and by that I mean the men who were actually written about, the ones who got to go out and work, and were then considered professionals.
And they were terribly, horribly underpaid.
A couple of days ago I caught up with a singing friend who also bemoans how low his singing pay has …
Possibilities (Podcast)
Earlier this year I took the Akimbo Podcast Workshop (definitely recommend if you have never podcasted and don't know where to start) and started a podcast for my German business.
One of the best parts of taking a workshop like that one is connecting with other people who are learning to podcast or have started podcasting and they come back to support the first-time learners.
Then sometimes you get asked to be on another podcast!
Craig Constantine asked, so we recorded this podcast yesterday,…
Let's Call it What it is: STE_M
We have a lot of STE_M culture - science, technology, engineering and math.
STE_M culture allows us to be right or wrong. To hypothesize, test, and review.
It's possible to seemingly perfect these things.
It's possible to compete because these things are perfectly measurable.
Measure something that's 5 inches in diameter, use mathematical formulas, build a robot, determine how to make dirty water clean again.
It's HOT right now. STE_M has been hot for years. Go on LinkedIn, any organization…
Culture vs. Entertainment
One of the main observations I've had since I moved back to the U.S. (from Germany in 2008) is this:
We live in a culturally poor culture.
There are a lot of bombastic experiences to be had here, you can go on a show that's all about "ninja warriors." You can go on national/international television and be lambasted for singing out of tune. You can be 8 years old and be called the next big opera singer.
(Aside: *facepalm*)
That isn't culture, though. It may include expectations, backgroun…
Who are Culture Workers?
A couple of months ago my Virtual Assistant and I were discussing how under-funded the arts are in both our countries. (She lives in another country.)
I work in music and languages, she works as a Virtual Assistant, which means she does everything from graphic design to email marketing and everything in between.
We don't make cogs.
We don't fix cogs.
We don't run factories which make cogs.
We don't build and maintain the vehicles and roads which deliver cogs to businesses and individuals.
…What is Culture?
A lot of people (yell) talk about culture these days.
That yelling, I mean "talking," is part of our culture.
Our culture is loud. Obnoxiously loud.
Our culture is filled with strife and conflict. People are "always angling for something bigger/better/faster/more."
Our culture is exhausting.
Because conversations happen on a very laser-focused matter, out of context, without thought for the big picture. The big whole-of-everything.
The big whole-of-everything is our societal culture, which…
Elm Ensemble: 5 American Classical Hymns
One of the coolest parts about singing with the Elm Ensemble is finding out all the cool connections people have to other musicians, conductors, and composers.
The Elm Ensemble conducted an interview with Peter Mercer-Taylor, who reseached the adaptions we recorded of these five American Classical Hymns. You can read the interview here (there's a link to his book, too).
Then you can check out all five recordings here:
Elm Ensemble: Life From Death is Jesus' Doing
The Elm Ensemble has published several more videos, this one being Life From Death is Jesus' Doing.
It's from the Southern Harmony, which is a hymn and tune book used for singing and teaching singing. Southern Harmony and Shape Note, which is the specific way that the notes are shaped to indicate which pitch they are on the scale.
Interestingly, it took two degrees, a 5-year stint in Germany, and returning to the U.S. before I'd ever heard of or sung anything from the Southern Harmony book or …