Uncategorized

When you hope or plan for a Snow Day, the best you can get is “met expectations.” The worst is “deeply disappointed.” But when you don’t hope or plan for a Snow Day, the worst you can get is “met expectations.” The best is, “unexpectedly delighted.” If you’re near me […]

Do you post a weekly note for your students? I remember the long-hand notes posted on the ensemble bulletin board in college – they were so beneficial in helping me focus my own practice, personal goals, perspective on upcoming events, and enhance buy-in to the group. Bulletin boards may be passé, but you already have the […]

On the really, truly busy days – when you feel like you’ve run a marathon before lunch and then the speed picks up, it’s easy to feel as if it’s always this busy. You’re drowning in busy-ness and it will never change. On those days, it helps me to widen my lens. […]

If you shovel your driveway when the snow is fresh, the snow usually comes up easily, leaving clear pavement. If one car drives on it, you’re left with deeply compressed tracks that are near-impossible to clear. Before you express anger to your students, before your temper gets the better of you, remember: expressing anger in […]

Football can be a fabulous activity for teaching character, life skills, team-building, perseverance, flexible and reactive thinking, and plenty of other valuable lessons. Every single one can also be taught in choir, without a pervasive risk of traumatic brain injury. Here is a powerful short film of every reported concussion during a game in the 2017-18 […]

A new job comes with new arcs. When you know the arcs, you know when the busy time is, and when you ease up for a minute and coast. But with a new job, you don’t know the arcs. You have to stay constantly alert to anticipate them, or risk falling behind. It’s […]

I run four times a week – or try to. But every run this week I’ve had trouble getting out the door. Lots to do perhaps, or maybe just the cold. And then this morning, clear as day, I heard a still small voice say, “You can’t do it.” I […]

Too many people worry that their insights aren’t worth sharing. Don’t worry about that. Worry that if you don’t share your insights, someone else may never learn them. Share what you know, as often as you can.

Are reunions a thing anymore? College reunions can be pretty meaningless for a graduating class of thousands: who do you really know from the class? And as we move through college, our close connections are more likely developing across classes, based on common interest, rather than based simply on age. That’s why I love specific reunions. […]

Music students should receive written warning when their teachers are coming back from a conference. CAUTION: FIRED UP TEACHER AHEAD.   Don’t worry, students: we’ll settle back into usual routines and energy levels soon. We’re just so excited about all the amazing ideas, performances, and connections we’ve just made.