I may get eaten by two she-bears, but…

 I may very well risk the lives of both myself and 41 of my compatriots, but I noticed something this week at ACDA Dallas. There is a certain look you need to make it into the upper echelon of the choral conducting world.  Glasses, facial hair, and a dome.

Naturally, I only have the utmost respect for all of these masters. Having played concerts with two of them, I consider myself extremely fortunate for what I have learned. I can only salute them and their craft by offering this encomium taken from one of the best old Italian composers that there ever was. When Girolamo used to take the stage in the 1600s, they would announce him saying:

Here’s a

 (well, you figure the rest out)

Thanks for a great conference!