arrange • compose • conduct
ASPIRATIONAL anagrams to PLAN IS A RATIO. It’s a simple ratio: the more aspirational your goal is, the more significant you need to plan. If your goal is routine, you probably don’t need to plan all that much. If your goal is novel, or extreme, or very challenging, you almost […]
I was so fortunate to spend Tuesday evening in a 2+ hour Zoom masterclass from the wonderful Dr. Kate Reid, Director of the Jazz Vocal program at the University of Miami Frost School of Music. She worked with each of my Shades of Blue students on a solo jazz song […]
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 […]
Later-life career redirections can feel like trying to turn an ocean liner. It takes full engine power and lots of space to execute the turn. Even as early as just after college graduation, young adults can feel locked into the path they spent so much effort preparing themselves for. Just […]
The good years are now. Yes, even amidst a pandemic. Yes, even when you made outstanding music with your ensembles a decade ago, preferred the educational system thirty years ago, even if you think the social mores were better 75 years ago. The good years are now, because now is […]
From Dr. Brené Brown’s conversation with Jim Collins, this gem about a trusting mindset. Collins is describing the mindset of his mentor and co-author, Bill Lazier. He said, “There’s this fundamental fork in the road in life, and it is your opening bid to trust or does somebody have to […]
Setting intentions at the beginning of rehearsal is great. For example, I might say, “Let’s set an ensemble intention to have fewer side conversations during rehearsal.” But this intention is more effective if, in the previous rehearsal, I provided feedback at the end. In other words, setting an intention for […]
I know someone who has a little extra anxiety on Sunday nights, because school is coming on Monday. Mild everyday school anxiety is totally normal for lots of kids; and the small disruption in routine created by the weekend is enough to maximize that anxiety on Sunday nights. One of […]
It’s a good thing to make great music with a group. It’s a better thing to make great music with a group of friends. It’s the best thing to make the best music you’re capable of with a group of friends. For the first, you need a good choral leader. […]
My overarching philosophy as a choral leader can come down to these four words: “Wear your authority lightly.” Of course that applies to not overstepping or abusing your authority. That should be obvious and universal. But it also applies to every single interaction. My authority doesn’t make me more right […]