arrange • compose • conduct
For every extended rehearsal you plan, ask yourself this question: Have I scheduled past the point of diminishing returns? I always want to maximize available time and use every minute for the growth and improvement of my ensembles. But I have been in situations where other leaders have scheduled a […]
If you don’t know the timing, you’re asking for trouble. A concert shouldn’t go longer than 90 minutes without an intermission. So it’s essential for directors to know durations of pieces, timing of transitions, talking, and anything else that might add to the total time. Even with a format I’m […]
Do you incorporate any made-up rituals into your rehearsals? The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos explores the way we make decisions that we think will make us happier but don’t, and also offers researched techniques that actually do improve our happiness. In a 2020 episode, she discussed the idea […]
I love yesness. But it can be a liability. Yesness is that attribute is possessed by people who are willing to try new things, go where leaders direct, and generally approach life without a neon NO over their heads. When does yesness become a liability? When yes people consistently take […]
Have a vision for what you want to create, and take steps to create it, but don’t expect it to happen as soon as you’re ready for it to happen. How much you want to change and how much you can change are two different things. When you enter a […]
Want to feel productive and conscientious this Winter Break? Ultra Delay Send. I just sent a work email that won’t arrive until the first day back from school after New Year’s. I got the email off of my to do list, and it won’t go onto my colleague’s to do […]
How do you help students be both self-critical and proud of their performance? I want you to be constructively critical of your work leading up to a concert. That’s how you get better. I also want you to be proud of what you’ve done in the concert, regardless of what […]
The three things I am communicating with my students as they begin a concert without me: I am PROUD of you. I TRUST you. I EXPECT excellence from you. These are all positive, constructive emotions that help to bring out the best in students without demeaning them. No matter what, […]
When you’re blindsided by illness at an inconvenient time, you’ll be glad you followed these simple steps ahead of time. Build autonomy into your ensemble from day 1. Make sure they can survive without you. Build extra prep time into your rehearsal schedule, so you’re not slammed at the last […]
More and more, I think this is my most important job. More important than my musical insights or expertise. More important than my rehearsal plan or preparation before and after rehearsal. More important than the part recordings, piano skills, or vocal technique lessons. It comes down to this: my students […]