Category Archives: Performance

unattainable

Posted on May 3, 2014 by mllama4

R – “Let’s realize first that the arts are not an ivory tower of retreat. They are a doing. They are a making. They are sweat, strain, cramps, blisters, tears, blood, profanity and mocking laughter.” – Robert Shaw Vivaldi’s Gloria, … Continue reading →

Posted in Music is work, Performance, Rehearsal | 1 Comment

concerts and reflective thinking – part 2

Posted on March 15, 2014 by mllama4

R – One of the wonderful things to happen in my career has been the establishment of the grassroots, Maine Arts Assessment Initiative. The mission statement is, “Creating an environment in Maine where quality assessment in arts education is an integral … Continue reading →

Posted in Performance, Rehearsal, Standards | 2 Comments

letters from marv, part 2

Posted on December 14, 2013 by mllama4

R – Here is the second set of excerpts from of a set of articles I published just over 20 years ago for the Vermont Choral Directors association. In part 1 I gave some background on Marv and his impact … Continue reading →

Posted in Etcetera, Performance, Programming, Rehearsal | Leave a comment

letters from marv, part 1

Posted on November 30, 2013 by mllama4

R – Everybody needs (deserves) a mentor. I’ve had several who helped mold me into the director I am today. But when I began my career as a choral director, I found an amazing one; someone who challenged me intellectually … Continue reading →

Posted in Etcetera, Performance, Programming, Rehearsal | 1 Comment

george seurat and choral performance

Posted on May 4, 2013 by mllama4

R – The first of my two Portland Community Chorus performances was last night and I was really pleased with how it went. There were gobs of moments where I feel the chorus captured the artistic intents of the composers … Continue reading →

Posted in Performance | 2 Comments

the concert: audience as performer

Posted on April 2, 2012 by jpolberg

J – This video is from our January Grades 6-12 Combined Chorus Concert. About 3/4 of the way through our concert I had the Middle School and Upper School Choirs walk right into the audience and taught them all Freedom is Coming (a traditional African … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Etcetera, Performance | 2 Comments

the concert: – promoting music literacy #1

Posted on March 30, 2012 by jpolberg

J – This video contains the Sight Reading segment from the Lower School Concert in December. The audience joined me in an exercise very similar to the one the 4-5ers partake in weekly. WHY DO THIS? 1) TO TEACH THE … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Etcetera, Performance | 3 Comments

the concert

Posted on February 11, 2012 by jpolberg

J – Yes, I know it’s a little late. I am feeling a little guilty about taking this long… but here it is. THE CONCERT! Of course most of you know- EVERYTHING that could go wrong in the couple of weeks … Continue reading →

Posted in Etcetera, Performance | 1 Comment