arrange • compose • conduct
It’s a problem. Winning short circuits our rationality. There’s something deep in our unconscious brain that want to win, and especially, I think, wants to feel the heightened connection that comes from being part of a winning group. Why is that a problem? Because artistry doesn’t come with winners. The […]
What are the most important things you want your choirs to end this school year with? Got the list? If you’re like me, there are at least a dozen major goals on it. You have to shorten it. Make it three. You’ll get more done, but you can only guarantee […]
As an educator, are you concerned more with rigor or clarity? Grant Sanderson, the amazing math communicator who runs the 3Blue1Brown YouTube channel, addresses how we are often tempted to pursue rigor at the expense of clarity. Even as educators, for whom clarity should be paramount, it’s a pitfall. The […]
Dreaming big comes with failure. If I dream of commissioning ten new pieces in the next 2 years, but only commission six, is that a failure? It is inarguably a success – I’ve helped bring six new pieces into the world. But if I measure it only against the metric […]
You’ll never see me praying with my students, for one simple reason.
One of the hardest things for conductors to manage is their younger students’ lack of perspective.
Don’t believe me? Try it.
The further advance notice you can give, the better.
The arc of most choirs’ experience with any piece is predictable.
My goal is to develop an ensemble’s autonomy until there’s no difference when I’m not in front of them.