Robert Shaw on Commitment

July 22, 2025

One of the great joys of my musical life is that I had the opportunity to sing for many years under the baton of Maestro Robert Shaw, both as a chorus member and a soloist. In my own conducting career, I have been influenced in many ways by this amazing individual. His level of personal … Read more

By: Michael O’Neal

The Five L’s: Listen, Labor, Learn, Laugh and Love

June 25, 2025

There is a goal I attempt to achieve at every rehearsal I conduct. I call it the Five L’s, which stand for Listen, Labor, Learn, Laugh and Love. At the conclusion of a rehearsal, it is my goal that all participants (including myself) will have experienced each of these five actions to some degree.  We … Read more

By: Michael O’Neal

Is Your Voice Actually Ready to Sing?

June 23, 2025

As many choruses resume rehearsals following a summer hiatus, there are often singers who feel their voices have lost some “conditioning” during the break. It’s normal to feel this way, for singers are like athletes – we need to keep our voices (and bodies) in good singing shape. As the new performance season begins, there … Read more

By: Michael O’Neal

Why We Sing

June 20, 2025

I love to hear why people enjoy singing in a choral ensemble. Here are some of the comments that folks have shared with me. “I must. I look forward to Monday evenings with other like minds and souls…I know there have been many Monday nights that I showed up for rehearsal not in the right … Read more

By: Michael O’Neal