KML Concert Choir

Musings, Reflections, and Thoughts

Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School

Choral Program

September 16, 2007

Thank you all for working through a busy week. I'm glad we had the opportunity to get some "performances" under our belt. This is really the best way not only to develop an identity but also to move beyond simply singing the notes correctly. I've heard countless average high school choirs who can read notes and rhythms, do all the technical things on the page. But those performances are never memorable or inspiring. In fact, they leave you feeling a bit empty, almost like you were missing something the whole time.

Weston Noble was the choir director at Luther College in Iowa for over 40 years and is a legend. He's certainly a name to tuck away in your memory. Noble believed very much in the idea that music connects body, mind, and spirit (soul). We must physically be engaged to give a great performance. We must mentally be focused to give a great performance. But what often is absent is the spiritually element, the giving of yourself to the music. As singers, we are servants, tools through whom the music is communicated. And in order to do this well, we have to invest our spirits into what we sing. This is what makes a performance compelling, makes it so good that people are able to connect with their own emotions in ways words simply cannot do. This is why music is such a gift: you have the opportunity every performance to make time stop and bring your audience into the world you (and us as a group) are creating. Weston Noble was a master at this. Robert Shaw, another great American conductor, was a master at this. And we, daily pursuing excellence, strive to reach this level as well.

The Fall Concert approaches quickly. 17 rehearsals remaining. I appreciate your willingness to trust me through this process. I know for some the new things we are doing right now seem foreign and even pointless ("Why are we listening to ABBA!"). Please continue to believe in me and know everything we do is intentional. I am committed to you in deeper ways than I can express, and I want each performance this year to be something compelling and memorable. We will make great strides this week with "Prayer" and "Worthy to Be Praised" as well as continue working toward unity and cohesiveness among us.

By the by, if you still don't know someone in the room, please take the time to introduce yourself. The more we invest in each other, the more we can invest in the music.

I'm so humbled to be your director. Here's to a great week ahead...

Much love,
Mr. Goede

Archived Letters:
September 7, 2007

Back to Concert Choir page

Back to Home Page