[musictlk] having difficulty with choir director

[Amy Billman]

Kelsey,
I suppose this should come as no surprise, but this is *not* something that
your choir director needs to accommodate.

I have been in a number of choirs over the years, including professional
ones, and I do it by ear. You pay attention to when everyone else cuts off
and stop when they do. It's not something that the director needs to even
know about.
In certain situations you may feel the need to come up with a system with
the individual that's next to you, but again, this is something that you do
just between you and them. No, again, it doesn't warrant in any way
discussion with you and the director.
For me, I have found that a light tap on your arm isn't distracting or in
any way difficult for the person next to you. It's nothing that has to be
made even remotely obvious to everyone else.
In fact, I've found that often the only time that people were ever aware
that I was doing this was in situations in smaller groups where they
overheard me discussing it with the person on my own time.
And, it's very simple if your director is one of those who changes the
formation of the group (positions where everyone stands during
performances,) to simply have a quick dialog with whoever will be next to
you (not on stage obviously,) to tell them what works for you.
Don't leave it up to others to help you get what you need. Your director
likely doesn't get it, so just put on and pull up your big girl panties and
come up with your own system.
If people come to him and tell him that it is distracting them to do this,
then keep going until you find someone who can be professional and
concentrate on the task at hand. Really this should be a non issue.
I hope that you don't keep trying to drive the point home to your director
and try to *make* him accommodate you. Really, if you are going to be a
blind musician in a choir situation, it's up to you.
The most difficult situation that I had with this was when I was in a small,
madrigal group in high school competing in solo and ensemble state
competition. We were small, and we were singing a cappella and it was very
obvious if all voices weren't singing at the exact same time. Our solution,
was for me to count off and lead the group in; but that's the only instance
where I've had it ever be a problem where the director and I needed to have
discussion about how something should be done.
I certainly didn't want to be the thing that kept us from that superior
rating! *smile*

Amy Billman
Email:
 Amy0223 at gmail.com
Connect with me on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/amybillman

-----Original Message-----
From: musictlk [mailto:musictlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Kelsey
Nicolay via musictlk
Sent: Saturday, August 23, 2014 1:15 PM
To: musictlk at nfbnet.org
Subject: [musictlk] having dccsccculty with choir director

Hello,
I posted a similar question before, but here goes.  I am in a 
community choir that is strictly volunteer, although we have to 
pay dues at the beginning of the season.  I really enjoy the 
group and have made some good friends.  However, I am having 
trouble getting the director to accommodate my blindness.  He 
does make sure I have all the music I need and that I have a 
music stand, but the problem is that I cannot see when he is 
conducting.  I can get when to come in based on reading the 
Braille score, but the problem is when there is a fermata and he 
holds it for as long as he wants.  I have no way of knowing when 
to cut off.  I suggested having my neighbor tap me on the arm 
when it is time to release, but this director wants no part of 
that, saying that it would cause a distraction.  While I 
understand where he's coming from with that, without that 
feedback though, I'm basically left in the dark about when he is 
going to release a certain note.  I sent an email to the group's 
president explaining that for a blind person, there really is no 
way for them to know when to cut off without some sort of tactile 
cue from a neighbor and I asked if the three of us could meet to 
come up with a plan that meets everyone's needs and draws as 
little attention to me as possible.  Does anyone have any ideas 
on how a sighted neighbor could relay such information to me 
tactually without drawing attention to myself or them? I hope to 
have this discussion near the beginning of the season.  I have a 
friend in the group who I know outside of the chorus, but she's 
in a different section, so she really can't help much.  I would 
appreciate any suggestions you all might have.  Also, your 
suggestions will be shared with the president and the director, 
although I will remove your names from them.  If you do not want 
your opinion to be shared, please write me off list and say so.
I'm going to compile a document with all your suggestions.
Thanks,
Kelsey Nicolay

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