CASEY'S QUOTES
(Selections from quotes recorded during rehearsals by Joyce Ekanger, Colorado Choir Historian, Charter Member)
It's not notes, but ideas.
The sound carries the value. The words don't carry the value.
Don't let the vowels get in the way of the music.
You stand in the feet of the composer and live within his bounds.
There is nothing else to do but surrender completely. (During rehearsal on 'If By His Spirit' from Jesu Priceless Treasure by J.S. Bach)
Thank God for music so we can pray without words.
Fifteen percent is on the page-the rest is in the singers' hearts.
You people are great to come out and hear this crazy old man talk about love.
We transfer human value in the art form.
The whole world is looking for a profound statement. I'm an engineer pure and simple. When I get a sound, then I'm an artist.
We make music and transfer values. The Holy Spirit is here among the values. The values we transfer are between the notes.
Music is always made in the spaces between the notes.
We'll sing the right notes and we'll sing them in tune, but we need to sing with meaning.
We practice down here so we can sing in heaven.
If you could explain art, you wouldn't need it!
The better you are, the less I do.
We're here to sing ideas, not notes.
Directors are mirrors of your ideas. I like you people.
I see careful written all over you and careful isn't a very musical idea - reckless is!
Don't be a spectator, be a participant.
If you don't sing on the first two notes, your parade is over.
These can't be notes. This can only be atmosphere.
"Yea, whate'er I here must bear, still in Thee lies purest pleasure, Jesu, Priceless Treasure." This is Bach's signature. "If in your hearts the Spirit abideth", quoting Bach - How can anyone miss such joy?
Enthusiasm is important, but clean is closer to God. Commit yourself!