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It’s just as valuable, and less applauded, than math skills or literacy. Elementary school crafting. What did my children learn in crafting art projects to celebrate Mother’s Day? They learned that creation is of value – and that even with a template, they can make something personal and reflective of […]

I’ve been moonlighting as an album producer these last couple months, and I’m happy to share that The Rockford Aces’ fourth studio album, Get Ready!, entered production today. It will be released June 2 at the conclusion of our annual concert. As always, I and my students have learned much from the process: tweaks for […]

Today marks the end of tip jar week here at jedscott.com. Read more here or click here to chip in! In the record mixing process, it is essential to give yourself time away to listen critically. Ears get tired, and used to a particular sonic environment. You need to take a few hours, listen in your car, on […]

It’s tip jar week here at jedscott.com. Read more here or click here to chip in! In every new project, there comes a time to leap. We always, always, begin new projects with incomplete information. Gaps in our knowledge, speculation, unfounded theories and guesses. That shouldn’t stop us from leaping, from envisioning something new and bringing it […]

It’s tip jar week here at jedscott.com. Read more here or click here to chip in! I’m in the middle of two big projects right now. First, RAMChoir – a large, multi-generational, unauditioned TTBB choir that will perform in June after five 90-minute rehearsals. Second, mixing The Rockford Aces’ fourth album, Get Ready – the culmination […]

It’s tip jar week here at jedscott.com. Read more here or click here to chip in! It is built into the choir director’s job that you must disappoint some people. Solo auditions, choir placement, repertoire choices, concert scheduling. All of these have the potential to disappoint choir members. (I have even known a chorister […]

It’s tip jar week here at jedscott.com. Read more here or click here to chip in! Is your idleness directionless or directed? Creative people know that they must find idleness as a way of making space for creation in their minds. For some, it’s an electricity-free month in a cabin; for others, it’s just rising before […]

It’s tip jar week here at jedscott.com. Read more here or click here to chip in! One of Seth Godin’s best books is The Dip. It’s quite short, but it introduces us to an important concept. The Dip is the time when you’ve started doing something, but before you’ve achieved the goal. The dip can […]

My students had to memorize a piece on fairly short notice recently – for a concert tonight. Of course, it’s easier this time of year. The group is cohesive, has developed concrete group ideas of musicality, and thus is achieving musicality way faster. On the other hand, it’s harder when musical elements […]

Yesterday, I reminded students how much they need choir in high school. That doesn’t end when you graduate – indeed, when you land at a college campus and know almost nobody, your need for a community and a home is only going to increase. While there are many activities on campus […]