(Authors Note: If you were not aware, my undergraduate degree is in Music and I have worked as a professional singer, church music leader, and director at various times in my life.)

I have a Pandora channel based on composer Aaron Copland’s iconic work, Appalachian Spring. Sometimes, I want to have music on but I don’t want to be distracted by lyrics. This is really helpful when you’re otherwise engaging your brain. Writing a blog for instance.

The other day on my commute, I had this particular channel playing when the final movement of Appalachian Spring came on. This movement is based on a shaker hymn, “Simple Gifts”. It is, in my opinion, one of the most moving pieces of orchestral music in the 20th century catalog.  

If you are unfamiliar, you can listen here: Appalachian Spring on YouTube

As I listened, I was instantly transported back to the very first time I ever heard it. Freshman Music Theory with Dr. Jack Stamp, Spring Semester, 1988.  I don’t really remember the context, but I remember the recording. Sitting in a classroom of my peers who are among my most treasured friends still – nearly 3 decades later, we were transformed. It was a moment in time that became almost holy…sacred in its intimacy and emotional power. I remember Leanne crying silently on the back row. (Incidentally, she was the only one of us who knew the title when Dr. Stamp asked).

I…we, all of us, were changed in some way that day I think. For me, it changed forever how I listen to music. It changed the type of performer I became. It heavily influenced the type of conductor I am.

It also began to shape me as a leader.

Now, nearly 30 years later, I think about that. I think about how my undergraduate degree in Music impacts how I am  as a coach and leader. There are three lessons to be learned from the life of a conductor to make you a better conductor of whatever orchestra or choir you have been charged with – whether that’s a musical ensemble, classroom, or call center.

Great conductors:

• Enable the work.
• Pull the best out of their musicians.
• Rigorously craft, refine, and execute the vision.

Over and over I have seen these lessons play out in the conductors I have worked with who created transformative experiences. Conductors like Dr. Jack Stamp (check out his website here.) One example of his work can also be seen here. Then there is Dr. Tim Hinds (Moth Music Services and the incomparable Weston Noble.  (Here’s a little clip about his work: Perpetual Inspiration )

Wes Noble is 94 years old. I sat under him at the North Carolina Intercollegiate Honors Chorus long about 1990 or so. There were about 100 of us from colleges all across North Carolina. We rehearsed for two days and then performed a concert under Mr. Noble’s direction. One of the pieces we shared is a piece called, In This Very Room by Ron Harris. It is one I had sung as a teenager – so I was familiar with it. Nothing prepared me, though, for what was about to happen. I had never experienced anything like this performance. I have experienced something similar only a handful of times in the 25 years since.

The song itself is very simple. Simple lyrics, simple melody, simple harmonies. No complicated chord structures or crazy rhythm patterns. What sets this piece and this particular performance apart for me was the conductor’s ability to craft a singular moment in time from simplicity. It was elegant and beautiful. And there was not a dry eye on the stage or in the house, I suspect.

Thinking back on that weekend more than 25 years later, I am struck by the powerful leadership displayed by Mr. Noble. The pattern was there. The example was lived out for us all to see and experience.

Over the next few posts, I want to travel back to this experience. In travelling back, I hope to use Mr. Noble’s leadership as the example that it was and look deeper at the three lessons I take away from my music education. That great leaders, like great conductors, enable the work, pull the best out of the folks under their leadership, and rigorously execute a vision. As we #lookdeeper at these three lessons, I trust we will find important reminders to influence our effectiveness as leaders. After all, we have people looking to us who need us to be our very best and hunger to experience those singular moments.

Question for you: What has been a “singular moment” experience for you? I would love to hear your story – doesn’t have to be a musical performance, could be anything that inspired you, made an impression, or created a lasting difference in you. Tell me a story in the comments!