The Glee Effect

An article from The Guardian about the galvanizing effect Glee is having on singing all around America. It's not just show choirs. Glee is the best thing to happen to choruses across America since Robert Shaw. Whatever your opinion of the show (and mine is mostly positive), it appeals to any musical person who might have forgotten how much richer her or his life was when participating in music. Whatever our day-to-day concerns, I defy anyone to find a person whose life was not made infinitely richer with the consistent presence of music. Time and again, as a conductor, a singer, a violinist or a composer, I've met people whose exposure to music helps them not only to forget their day-to-day worries but also to remember their better selves. A cliche observation no doubt, but no less true for having been said so often. Yes, sometimes being involved in music is about as much fun as shoveling shit uphill, but when it's better than that, it's thousands of times better.