I recently took a weekend trip to New England—my first solo trip since before the pandemic—where I enjoyed a sculpture walk near Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire. One of the sculptures had floating text that read “What a long, strange trip it’s been.” I can think of no way to better describe the moment in which we find ourselves.
CS Music is delighted to be back in person for our Convention this year. As we transition from pandemic to endemic COVID-19, we all face challenges of continued grief from the losses we experienced starting in March 2020, both personal and professional. We also face new challenges with inflation. You can learn from singers at various career stages on (page 62) how you can approach these difficulties creatively and still have artistic growth and development.
Our cover artists, Keith and Kirsten Chambers (page 30), are featured judges and presenters at the Convention this year. These incredible artists embody the encouraging and supportive types of singers and leaders our industry needs. Soprano Mary Wilson teaches masterclasses at the Convention and shares in this issue her career in oratorio along with sage advice for concert work.
Coming up soon is The Dessoff Choirs’ centennial season, and music director Malcolm J. Merriweather tells CS about his inclusive approach to repertoire (page 16). Elisabeth Stevens builds diversity and wholistic growth for singers through Studio LIS, and her interview (page 54) informs readers on ways to forge new (and sustainable) pathways as artists. Baritone Gerald Finley, who taught online masterclasses at last year’s Convention, exhorts singers to have courage in the face of so many things being out of your control (page 22). Our self-tape auditioning article (page 68) prepares singers for the “new normal” that is creating audition videos, whether as your audition or as a prescreen.
As we continue to bring bel canto in both a literal and figurative sense during this long, strange trip through our careers, I wish each and every one of our readers—especially those heading for the Convention and singing in the competition—courage. I look forward to hearing you in person!
