What are the challenges of introducing modern music to your amateur choir, the San Francisco Choral Society?
Typically, there is a wide range of skill level — a number of people have studied voice or music, but many more have not, so the composer has to write for this instrument. Because some have not been exposed to this type of music, I try to provide the energy from the podium that encourages them to focus and work hard, while still making it fun. Those members who can suspend their opinions of the music are usually converted by performance time. Do you still work with your spouse, the pianist and composer Sue Bohlin? Sue’s career has taken her more in the direction of composing and freelancing as a pianist, so not quite as much as we did, but when we do it’s a strong collaboration. Why did you choose to live on a houseboat? I’ve fantasized about living on a boat since my upbringing in New England. We were on the water a lot, sailing, digging clams, swimming, surfing and all. After my previous marriage [Geary has a 28-year-old son from that alliance], I had the opportunity. I bought it in
