SHARPS AND FLATS IN FIVE DECADES

This is a personal memoir of the founder of the Paulist Choristers, not another technical treatise on chorophony or polyphony, as the author's previous work would lead to expect. The title is misleading -- until one knows that here is the record of beginnings in choral conducting, the search to learn and improve his beautiful, difficult art, his struggle to reach the top of his profession, all told in breezy style, with spice and humor which keepts it from being heavy. His musings about people and music- here and abroad -- are entertaining. But the market for this rather specialized sort of musical memoir is small.