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

By Joan Oliver Goldsmith

Book Overview

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

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 039302024X
• ISBN13: 9780393020243
• Release Date: January 2001
• Publisher: W W Norton & Co Inc
• Length: 223 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.5" x 1.0" x 6.0"

Customer Reviews

What happens when you make a mistake?

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.

I'm hooked after one paragraph.

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!

In celebration of the 'not famous'

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.

How can I keep from singing this book's praises?

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.