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

by Joan Oliver Goldsmith

"Full of shrewd observations on creativity, friendship, and love, [this is] a book, in other words, about life."― American Way In this "rousing book that salutes the passion, the joy, and the pleasures of singing, music, and practice" ( Spirituality and Health ), Joan Oliver Goldsmith celebrates America's over 20 million singers and "teaches us that...to pursue a creative passion is a true act of love" ( New Age ). She guides us not only behind the scenes of choirs and ensembles but inside the making and hearing of harmonious sound. "Her words soar, growl, cry and whisper. And they inspire" ( Publishers Weekly , starred review). As Goldsmith shares wisdom about finding one's voice, making mistakes, teaching, friendship, and the essential elements of creativity, "you'll learn [that] much of what she's learned from music is applicable to almost any life" ( Minneapolis Star Tribune ). "'Singing for your life' is what Goldsmith's book is all about. Read it and sing!"―Bobby McFerrin

Genres: Music, Nonfiction

224 pages, Paperback

First published August 9, 2001

Reviews

[Maja Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book reminded my why I love singing, and is inspiring. If you are a singer you will relate to many things in the book.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-written, thoughtful, intelligent, poetic meditation on the the power of choral song (singing) to greatly enrich human lives by facilitating common purpose, and delivering the joy that music-making brings to musicians and their audiences.

Although Ms. Goldsmith's reflections are in part autobiographical, this is not memoir with a therapeutic, narrative arc leading to learned lessons, forgiveness, or new insights. It's more like a conversation. I enjoyed snippets of wisdom, passion, and mutual understanding while casually meandering through the topics of choral singing, rehearsing and conductors, and philosophy/spirituality/aesthetics of music--the kind of long, late-night conversation I'd share with friends over a cup of herbal tea or glass of wine.

I'm sure that the setting--Minnesota, my home, where I know members of the orchestras and chorales Ms. Goldsmith writes about--made this book more personally significant to me than it might
be for someone who doesn't know or care about the heartland.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goldsmith writes as a singer, sound-collector, chorus member, voice student, music lover, and one for whom singing is interwoven with daily life. Her passion is infectious. As she writes about her musical experiences she reveals bits and bits of her life, joys and failures, high notes and low notes (pun intended). If you have ever sung in a school choir, church choir, community chorus, or are just curious about why someone would want to do that, read this for Goldsmith's many insights from her own journey and those of others who love to sing.

[Fishface · Rating 3 out of 5]

Intriguing little read about how following one's passions can make life dramatically more...you know...worth the time. This is hardly a stunning new insight, but the author deomstrates how flat and dull her life is, and how she lacks energy, when she is not involved in singing. Lots of interesting little tangents, too, like the author's discussion on the measure of true friendship.

[Geri Hoekz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful compilation of memoir-style essays by an experienced chorale singer. At first glance it seems like the main theme is singularly about the value of singing together, but upon looking more deeply it celebrates the dedication of avocational artists who work hard at whatever art they practice for its own sake. In a world where monetization and individual stardom have become the gold standard, recognition for the ensemble players of the world engaged in labors of love is refreshing. This book has been a favorite of mine for many years; I pick it up again every time I need to remind myself why I do what I do.

[Félise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on the title, I thought this was going to be about music and people in general, as a brief commentary about culture and psychology and the like. It's more of a memoir.

[Dylan Bean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this as a food runner waiting for dishes to be finished in the kitchen

[Francis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Urg couldn’t finish it. Wish it was more about like the whys of music and not so “ today I did this” but maybe that’s the point lol

[Rachel · Rating 1 out of 5]

I saw this book at the library while I was volunteering and decided to check it out since I'm interested in music. It was not what I expected it to be and I don't care for the language.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good writing. About being passionate about what you do. Also good sections on being a leader and a follower. Recommended.

[Joseph Schlesinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one's right on the money! A must-read for anyone who's passionate about anything!

[Marium Hameed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read for a singer. I found many moments that were extremely relatable, and discovered a few great pieces of music along the way. Recommend if you want a nice beach read :)

[Polly]

re=read - first time probab 2001-2002