arrange • compose • conduct
I’ve had several conversations recently looking to the future in which the other person had a default plan of continuing with livestream or digital stream as a standard practice for future concerts and performances. I sincerely hope that this doesn’t become common practice. There is value in archival recording a […]
A popular business expression goes “Underpromise and overdeliver.” But I can’t think of a single important relationship in which that is the best approach. Do people underpromise in their wedding vows? Do parents underpromise to their children? Do you underpromise to your friends? Underpromising is always, to me, a subtle […]
The other side of the concert. I spent Saturday feeling utterly wiped – to the point of taking a long nap, which I almost never do. It was only late in the day that I realized I was suffering from a concert “hangover.” Hadn’t had one in 15 months. The […]
Sometimes, when my ensemble is having trouble with a spot, I say, “and now…a pause for literacy.” Actually, I usually say music theory, but music literacy is s friendlier and more accurate term. Sometimes a problem spot is a problem spot because there is some structural component that the ensemble […]
Some say it as, “Early is on time; on time is late.” My family calls it “Scott Time.” It’s the habit of arriving early so you’re ready when an activity starts, instead of hustling to be on time. I prefer the way I heard it, repeatedly, throughout my college career […]
I’ve been busy for the last year, but not in the usual ways. I haven’t been busy with concerts and performances. I haven’t been busy with in-person lessons. I’ve been busy a lot in front of my computer. And of course those early months of the pandemic had a lot […]
I had a little bit of a down day today. For unimportant but real reasons, I was feeling frustrated, tired, and run down. (I mean, we are still in a pandemic. That alone is enough justification for all of us to have these occasional days.) I almost canceled my rehearsal […]
Trust is only valuable when it’s in action. Theoretical trust – what does that even mean? One of my favorite ways of practicing trust in action is with a subito fortissimo. Because the truth is that if you don’t trust the choir around you, you are going to sing mezzo […]
How does an audience’s knowledge of the piece you’ll be performing change your interpretation? If I’m conducting a new work, or a piece that I’m fairly certain most audience members are unfamiliar with, I’ll prepare it differently than if I’m preparing the US National Anthem or a Beatles song. (And […]
I spent the last fifteen minutes of rehearsal reading three children’s books to my students. We preceded it with a conversation about what it takes to deliver a potent performance to an audience. With a solid year since most of them gave a performance, it’s important to at least talk […]