arrange • compose • conduct
Ensembles go through many phases with a piece. “That sounds cool.” (while listening to a recording on YouTube) “I don’t like this piece.” (while slogging through sight reading) “That part is fun to sing.” “The rest of it, I’m not so sure.” “This is too hard.” “I’m kind of getting […]
Spacing project completion is a hallmark of successful work. When I’m managing my work schedule well, projects overlap only as much as necessary. They have a staggered finish date, so that I’m not frantically completing too many projects at once. Sure, there are busier and quieter moments, but if I’m […]
Choose remarkable, not predictable. Every bowl of Cheerios I’ve ever eaten has tasted exactly the same. That’s a feature of grocery store food – predictable is better than remarkable. And we’ve come to expect that predictability in a larger and larger part of our lives. Actually, though, in other human […]
Businesses are struggling with inventory; why are we trying to follow the same model in schools? Over the last couple of decades, businesses have embraced what’s called “Just-In-Time Inventory.” The ideas is to not keep extra inventory on hand, because that can be expensive and requires storage space. Instead, the […]
I love premieres. As a composer and arranger, you would think it goes with the territory, but the truth is that developing my craft was focused so much on the work I do in my studio – selecting notes, rhythms, orchestration, voicings, etc. – that it took me years to […]
We work in interlocking skills in performing ensembles. What about discrete skills? Performing a piece requires to simultaneously focus on vowel, tone, pitch, balance, diction, phrasing, drama, and about a dozen other things. All of them. At once. These are interlocking skills if we want to be successful. But skills […]
If you think you’re only capable of one vocal style or technique, your minad is lying to you. Sure, you may have an affinity for one vocal tone, or even an aptitude for it. But our voices are infinitely flexible, and when I hear someone say, “I can only sing […]
This recording is a five minute masterclass in jazz singing. It is such a wonderful demonstration of space, swing, collaboration, listening, and mastery. Listen to the way that Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong interact with each other and their rhythm section to create something really special. Listen especially to the […]
A lot of my jobs involve me saying some version of this sentence. “End sustained notes with shadow vowels.” Yes, that’s usually true…but not in this moment/piece/style. “Keep your feet firmly planted.” Yes, that’s usually true…but not in jazz. “Look to the conductor for the sense of the beat.” Yes, […]
Planning only gets you so far. My day was short circuited before it even began, thanks to a middle of the night thunderstorm and a very anxious dog. All the planning and positive intention for the first day back from Spring Break couldn’t prepare me for the day that was […]