My friend Melissa is a choral conductor and because of that, she is uniquely attuned to communicating intentions.  She uses things like tempo, tone, phrasing, and volume to help her choirs understand the pieces they are performing and to convey that emotional understanding to their audiences.  It is her vision that is interpreted. 

Communicating emotional intention in music according to Frances Wilson “is the most elusive aspect of the performer’s skillset, and is the fundamental reason why people – performers and listeners – engage with music. At a basic level, music communicates specific emotions through simple musical devices, for example:

• Happy – fast tempo, running notes, staccato, bright sound, major key
• Sad – very slow tempo, minor key, legato, descending sequences or falling intervals, diminuendo, ritardando

But there is something else which makes a performance particularly rich in expression or communication. Performance is generally regarded as a synthesis of both technical and expressive skills. Technical skills can be taught, while expression is more instinctive: it is of course possible to act upon expression markings in the score, but in order for these to sound convincing and, more importantly, natural, the performer must draw upon other factors, including extra-musical ones.”

Extra-musical means beyond music.  And Melissa’s superpower is in helping her performers draw up those other factors – the “extra-musical ones.”  With her humor, high expectations, and incredible constancy, she is able to help her students boost their resilience, strengthen their sense of musical purpose, and infuse themselves with the ability to collectively concentrate.  

One tool she uses regularly when things don’t work out the way she, a particular choir, or an individual choir member anticipates is this magic phrase: “Other dreams will come true.”

You didn’t make it into the choir for which you were auditioning? “Other dreams will come true.”

You didn’t get the solo you wanted? “Other dreams will come true.”

Can we sing Stairway to Heaven? “No, but other dreams will come true.”

You get the idea. 

James Clear calls this exploring your life from a position of power. 

He says “When you believe, ‘Even if I stay single, I’ll still have a great life’ … then you are in a much better position to enter a relationship.

When you believe, ‘Even if I don’t get into this school, I’ll still have a great life’ … then you are in a much better position to apply.

When you believe, ‘Even if I don’t succeed with this business, I’ll still have a great life’ … then you are in a much better position to give it a try.

Sure, you may want the relationship to work or the business to be a success—and you should give it your best effort—but also realize that if it doesn’t work out, you’ll be fine. There are many ways to live a great life.”

There are many ways to live a great life.

Other dreams will come true.

I can’t wait to hear about how you’re approaching your life from a position of power.  And if you need help with it, I’d love to assist you. 

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