The Thurible Swing

 

I enjoyed this archival French video from 1960.  The footage is from Francein, showing a Corpus Christi procession. The best part for me was watching those guys swing thuribles like they just don't care. 

Inovating innovation

Just when you think arts funding couldn't get any lower and when the value of art has fallen below fluff status, then comes this.  Namely, two articles, one from five leading businessmen on creativity and innovation in the workplace.  The other, from a government south of the equator - "Brazil to give $25 monthly culture stipend to workers to go to movies, read books or visit museums".  As for the first article, I've sat in Howard Tullman's office (Howard is one of those five businessmen) and was blown away by the use of technology, art and career planning for students at his academy.   And as for the second, if you want educated and creative people, you need to invest in the arts.  What's interesting here, though, is that rather than giving that $25 directly to artists and arts organizations, Brazil gives it to each citizen for him or her to decide how it be spent.  As someone who works in arts funding, I find that pretty innovative.

On being a Good Chorister

I don't know Chris Rowbury apart from his blog, From the Front of the Choir.  But, I thought his post from 2009 entitled, How to be a Good Choir Member  might benefit my own group. Working with volunteers has a few challenges, though in my experience, they are most often not musical in nature.  Chris compiled some common sense guidelines that I think are worth sharing.