How Can We Keep From Singing: Music and the Passionate Life

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Summary: "How Can We Keep From Singing: Music and the Passionate Life
Review: For anyone who enjoys singing,--in glee clubs, choirs, at parties, or in the shower, this book will delight with its look behind and before the scenes of singing. There are passages of encouragement as well as more professional information on vocal techniques, especially for use in choral work. Intriguing glimpses of prominent conductors and concert settings are meshed with candid and warm observations about fellow musicians and about the author's personal life. I thought it was well-written and fun to read.

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Summary: How can I keep from singing this book's praises?
Review: Goldsmith writes with eloquence and grace, translating the lessons from her life's passion -- music -- to life itself. Though surely every singer and musician will identify, her book is for all of us who have a passion, from amateur athletics to gardening, sculpting to woodworking. Poignant, funny, vibrant and affirming, Goldsmith's words are worth savoring.

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Summary: One of My New Favorites!
Review: I believe I have found a kindred spirit in Joan and in this book. Each chapter is dedicated to an aspect of music that she then relates to "life." My favorite chapter was the chapter about friends. She writes about the everchanging relationships that we have with people we call "friends." I appreciated this chapter because, having just graduated from college, keeping in touch with all my college friends seems a bit daunting. I feel like Joan affirmed my various feelings towards my friends (who I want to stay in touch with, who I think will stay in touch with me) and made me realize that it is ok to let go and not be as close as you once were. I, too, appreciated her advice on mistakes, relating it to wrong notes. It helped me put aside my first big "mistake" from my current job. Her book has given me great ideas of how I can live my life to its fullest, and I intend on doing so!

Rating:
Summary: One of My New Favorites!
Review: I believe I have found a kindred spirit in Joan and in this book. Each chapter is dedicated to an aspect of music that she then relates to "life." My favorite chapter was the chapter about friends. She writes about the everchanging relationships that we have with people we call "friends." I appreciated this chapter because, having just graduated from college, keeping in touch with all my college friends seems a bit daunting. I feel like Joan affirmed my various feelings towards my friends (who I want to stay in touch with, who I think will stay in touch with me) and made me realize that it is ok to let go and not be as close as you once were. I, too, appreciated her advice on mistakes, relating it to wrong notes. It helped me put aside my first big "mistake" from my current job. Her book has given me great ideas of how I can live my life to its fullest, and I intend on doing so!

Rating:
Summary: One of My New Favorites!
Review: I believe I have found a kindred spirit in Joan and in this book. Each chapter is dedicated to an aspect of music that she then relates to "life." My favorite chapter was the chapter about friends. She writes about the everchanging relationships that we have with people we call "friends." I appreciated this chapter because, having just graduated from college, keeping in touch with all my college friends seems a bit daunting. I feel like Joan affirmed my various feelings towards my friends (who I want to stay in touch with, who I think will stay in touch with me) and made me realize that it is ok to let go and not be as close as you once were. I, too, appreciated her advice on mistakes, relating it to wrong notes. It helped me put aside my first big "mistake" from my current job. Her book has given me great ideas of how I can live my life to its fullest, and I intend on doing so!

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Summary: I'm hooked after one paragraph.
Review: I sing in the Minnesota Chorale with Joan, and she read part of her book to us tonight. To hear her speak with that much passion was an inspiration to us all - there were tears and thunderous applause. I just bought the book and so can't truly speak for the contents - but I can speak plenty about the woman who wrote the book, and that is recommendation in itself. I can't wait to get reading!

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Summary: What happens when you make a mistake?
Review: My typical reaction in situations when I didn't succeed, when I made mistakes, was to run away. I would stop doing the activity (change jobs, refuse to play softball again, etc.) Thus, I used to hide and pretend that I knew what I was doing in choir rehersal. But I came to realize that I couldn't sing out if I was afraid of making a mistake. And the best way to do that is to not hide my mistakes, but to try to learn from them, asking questions. That the point about rehersing is to practice - and that making mistakes is part of that (and part of life). Joan Oliver Goldsmith has been there, and has learned to learn from her mistakes. Reading her book helped me learn from mine.

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Summary: How can I keep from Groaning?
Review: Perhaps I'm being too cruel. This was a "Nice" book. Ms Goldsmith has thoughtfuly considered the activity which gives her the most joy in life: emotionally, philisophically and even technically (from a layman's point-of-view). I felt as if I was reading her diary...that the diary had been written with me peering over her shoulder. I was very uncomfortable with that--as if she was waiting for my acknowlegement or approval.
The subtitle speaks of 'Music and the Passionate Life', but Ms Goldsmith's writing implies that she's seeking little more than comfort in life. Ho-hum.
Exploration of human experience or gooey sentiment? I prefer mine dry, I suppose. Make me laugh, make me cry, just don't expect for me to sit still when you rattle on....

Rating:
Summary: How can I keep from Groaning?
Review: Perhaps I'm being too cruel. This was a "Nice" book. Ms Goldsmith has thoughtfuly considered the activity which gives her the most joy in life: emotionally, philisophically and even technically (from a layman's point-of-view). I felt as if I was reading her diary...that the diary had been written with me peering over her shoulder. I was very uncomfortable with that--as if she was waiting for my acknowlegement or approval.
The subtitle speaks of 'Music and the Passionate Life', but Ms Goldsmith's writing implies that she's seeking little more than comfort in life. Ho-hum.
Exploration of human experience or gooey sentiment? I prefer mine dry, I suppose. Make me laugh, make me cry, just don't expect for me to sit still when you rattle on....

Rating:
Summary: In celebration of the 'not famous'
Review: Reading this book is like eating popcorn. Once you get started, it's impossible to stop. On every page you will find surprising insights into nothing less than the meaning and purpose of life. Goldsmith tells us that passion is more important than money and then explains why. She says that not only is it OK to pursue our creative inclinations, but it is actually necessary for our spiritual health. And she is talking directly to us, the 'not famous'. This book is just filled with optimism and wit. Guess what: the world actually needs us! She uses intimate details of her personal life in the way of illustration, and we can see that her life is not that different from ours. There's good and bad, success and failure, lessons learned, friendships, love, creativity and passion. This is an important book in a world where most of us feel alienated.