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I admit to being less adventurous this year than in past years in my recording consumption: much more of my listening came from favorites from the past, rediscovered. That said, here are the new things I loved this year. Leslie Odom, Jr. (Self-Titled Debut) [Amazon] [iTunes] A beautiful collection of standards, in […]

Note: this is the thirteenth of a series of posts investigating the leadership style of John Wooden and its applicability to choral music education. John Wooden has only two blocks in the tier below the peak of his Pyramid of Success. The first is POISE. Wooden says, “Just be yourself. Don’t pretend to be what you […]

There’s always a long debate that starts raging around November 1–when is it appropriate to start listening to Christmas music? I come down on the early side; I’d say November 10 is my typical date. And while I slowly transitioned to mostly Christmas music in week after Thanksgiving, I’m interested in […]

If Christmas day is about settling down with a good book, the day after Christmas in my family is for learning new games. Four new games arrived yesterday in our house: one each of card-, wooden-, classic-, and nerd- … something for everyone! Working our way through the new games, especially with young players, reminded […]

Whatever your beliefs, today is a great day for family, friends, and music. Take five minutes today for the soul-magnifiying setting of Greensleeves by Ralph Vaughan Williams. Vaughan Williams has taken the harmonic divergence of the Medieval tune and magnified it with his own clear sensibility. To me, it’s a setting of […]

“It is better to give than receive” – so goes a proverb popular this time of year. And I really believe it’s true. It’s been a thrill this Christmas season to watch my sons really come alive with the joy of finding a gift for someone they love. Prioritizing others above ourselves should be […]

Non-intentional Listening (You are not in control of what comes next) Muzak/Store Playlist Radio Pandora Unlabeled mixtape Intentional Listening (You are in control of you will hear next) Repeat Shuffle Play-through (album or playlist listening) Active Listening (You are actively engaging with the music being played) Asking questions as you […]

There are two different prerequisites to make your creative endeavors successful. A planned outlet for your creativity. A recital, a commission, a publishing deadline. Faith in your ability to create. You need both, and in a careful balance. Lean too heavily towards #2 and you will procrastinate and create in a flurry of last-minute panic. Lean […]

Note: this is the twelfth of a series of posts investigating the leadership style of John Wooden and its applicability to choral music education. John Wooden’s final block in the third tier of his Pyramid of Success is TEAM SPIRIT. Wooden says, “This block of the Pyramid addresses a most important characteristic: selflessness which is the opposite of […]

One of the blessings of Christmas caroling is that singers are liberated from the page. For people who have grown up with this music, all that is needed is a lyric sheet, if that. The rest is understood by tradition and tacit agreement. It’s one of the things we should seek in all our music-making. Liberate the […]