True excellence is a product of synergy.
The MTC is known for singing music by great master composers, hymns, American music, Broadway numbers, popular songs, and inspirational music. If the audience doesn't like one genre, they need only wait for the next number.
Collaboration is an important part of the process, and ego is never a part of it.
Latin is beautiful and has become something of an international language, but there is also something about singing in your native language that has meaning.
From the beginning, music has been the chosen way to express feelings that words alone can't.
I don't know how to turn on a computer.
I do think one of my strengths is the ability to adapt to whatever the situation is.
As much sorrow and grief as came from 9/11, there have also come positives.
In the '70s and '80s, if you said you wrote for 'the people,' that meant you weren't any good. But I think that's changing.
Most of our American musical heritage is based on European models, but the folk hymns and spirituals are one of the most fertile and unique of our American musical traditions.
The great folk hymns are a perfect marriage of text and tune. There are those that have nice messages and some with good music, but it is such a bonus when they are both wonderful.
Even missionaries get discouraged at times.
A requiem is meant to bring comfort.
I suppose I write music for people, not for the filing cabinet or the museum.
Usually, all I want is peace and quiet when I'm driving home.
Our mandate is to sing for everyone. We don't just sing for one group or sing one genre... This is everybody's choir.
The thing that's great about singing together is it's a great way of bringing people together.
I think music - it sounds cliche, but music can be very healing.
It's a great privilege and a highlight for choir and orchestra members to perform for audiences in live concerts.
Sometimes I prefer when I can hear other people conduct my music so I can sit out and actually hear it. When you are in the middle of it, sometimes it's a little bit hard to hear and get the whole effect.
