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Ambitious projects come with proportionally big challenges. Some are predictable, but any sufficiently large goal will come with utterly unexpected hurdles. In the Washington Monument’s construction, production continued for six years from 1848-1854, when money ran out. While it appears that political machinations led to the elimination of funding, the underlying truth is that our […]

The Washington Monument stands 555 feet and weights about 80,000 tons. It’s the most visible and among the most recognized landmarks in Washington, D.C. Actually, what you see weighs about 45,000 tons. The additional 35,000 tons comprise the weight of the underground foundation. For any sufficiently great achievement, you can assume the […]

In a recent Facebook Q&A, James Taylor fielded this question from fellow choral director Abby Arenstam. Enjoy his response! (emphasis mine) I am a public school chorus teacher. If you had advice for my students who want to a pursue a career in music what would that advice be? Well, […]

Find the real world, give it endlessly away Grow rich, flinging gold to all who ask Live at the empty heart of Paradox I’ll dance there with you, cheek to cheek. -Rumi More and more, learn to live with uncertainty. Orient yourself to live in the places that require cognitive dissonance. […]

Steve Zegree often talked about his students leaving his care “changed at the molecular level.” That’s how I feel about last week’s one-on-one fellowship with Alice Parker. It was me, Mandy, and Alice, singing, talking, and most of all listening for three hours a day. I feel molecularly changed. I feel […]

In her book The Anatomy of Melody, Alice Parker describes a choir festival experience. “I once (never again) adjudicated at a high school festival where four choruses in sequence sang the same choral work to a group of judges scattered around a darkened auditorium. We were to judge only on the […]

On the Tony Awards this year, Fun Home was recognized with five awards, including Best Musical. It’s an unlikely winner, based on the graphic memoir of cartoonist Alison Bechdel. During the Awards telecast, the cast performed “Ring of Keys,” primarily a solo by an 11-year-old version of Bechdel. It stunningly […]

Accent is one of the most incredible vocal groups in the world right now. They’re incredible because of their story – six men in five countries, united by a love of rich harmony and a willingness to use technology to bridge their gaps. They’re incredible because of their blend – six utterly […]

“Having students afraid of you is a teaching win!” “Don’t smile till Christmas.” “It is better to be feared than loved.” There are lots of ways to say it: fear is a great motivator, and the proper wielding of power is an important part of success as a teacher. I […]

Can you believe the guts of president Obama? I get jittery singing in front of my students – and I’m a musician. He stood and sang “Amazing Grace” in front of the world last week.   In her book The Anatomy of Melody, Alice Parker writes, When our ears and voices connect […]