arrange • compose • conduct
“Whenever I hear [A], I know [B]” I’m allergic to musical opinions made in the above form. For example, recently I heard someone say something along the lines of, “Whenever I hear a half-step modulation in an arrangement, I know that the arranger has run out of ideas.” Maybe we […]
I’m looking at a 1,000 piece puzzle that is missing one piece. One. Probably you know this feeling – and the desire to tear apart the room to find the missing 1/2 square inch of cardboard. Consider – that is only 0.1% of the puzzle. It is 99.9% complete with […]
With the size of the COVID-19 pandemic, I’ve found it hard to look directly at the challenges ahead. I’ve found it equally hard to look away from it. Where do you look when both looking and looking away cause anxiety? I think it best, in these months of preparation, to […]
I love to describe art that I don’t connect with with the generous expression “It’s not for me.” Maybe that expression doesn’t go far enough, though. Often it happens that you rediscover and connect deeply with music that previously “wasn’t for you.” It’s that the music hadn’t come at the […]
Social media encourages us to have a comment. It encourages us to react, to “engage.” But of course, it’s not real engagement – there is no looking into one another’s eyes, no listening to the tone of voices alongside the words said. I welcome dialogue with my students, with my […]
“It stings to have the creator of such an amazing universe openly mock and criticize your existence. […] How do I continue to enjoy her work? Or can I?” Submitted question to Dear Hank & John Ep. 245 [Hank] We put a lot of stock in the creators of the […]
I’m a big believer of digging in and doing the work. One of my favorite expressions is JKMF. Just. Keep. Moving. Forward. But it’s also acceptable to take some time off. To let go of the ever-present To Do List. JTSMF Just temporarily stop moving forward. Give yourself permission. The […]
It’s a common lament that the proliferation of LEGO sets, and especially branded LEGO sets (Harry Potter, Star Wars, etc.) is a sign of the times – that we are systematically destroying creativity in the play of our children. I argue the opposite. For most LEGO kids, yes, LEGO instructions […]
It’s the rare individual who can be up-close, focusing on the details, and simultaneously have both eyes on the big picture (The so-called 30,000 foot view). But you need both. July is the month, for choral educators, to step way, way back. Of course, it’s time to put in 80-hour […]
What is the ethos of your choral institution? Merriam Webster defines ethos: The distinguishing character, sentiment, moral nature, or guiding beliefs of a person, group, or institution. Maybe there was a time when the ethos of a choral ensemble or institution needed no more specificity than “make music together as […]