arrange • compose • conduct
The best way to learn generosity is by being close to a generous person. I have little doubt that Jimmy Carter’s family, watching his lifelong acts of generosity, have learned the value of selfless acts themselves. Same for the family of Bill & Melinda Gates or J.K. Rowling, whose acts […]
My colleagues and I are, rightly, concerned about progress and momentum. Eight Snow Days in two weeks has left every West Michigan choir program–not to mention the musicals, Variety Shows, and AP Classes–in a fairly frightening state of not knowing how to get back on track. And yet. And yet. […]
I was filled with joy as I watched the beautiful CBS Morning segment on the new Grammy Educator of the Year, Dr. Jeffery Redding. (I got to watch him work in 2008 when we had a group of students sing under his baton in Carnegie Hall; he is truly outstanding.) […]
Have you ever watched a child climb stairs? You’ll see the child take two steps for each step of yours, or find other ways to fit their small gait to the steps. Everything we design has form built into it, and that form is designed with specific uses in mind. […]
Every educator I know in my area is dealing with the fallout from last week’s Polar Vortex – specifically, the teaching/rehearsal time lost to it. One teacher I heard was sending assignments every day via email to his AP students, and started off yesterday (the first day back) with a […]
Teachers get a few chances during the year to start again. Winter Break. Spring Break. Maaaaaybe Thanksgiving Break. Anytime there’s been long enough to do at least a brief reset. Even then, the resets we are able to execute are small, a matter of degrees. Include a few extra minutes […]
Welcome to Week 17 of The Definitive Version, a weekly feature of my website. You can read more about the project here and read all past entries here. Song: “But Not For Me” (1930)Composer: George GershwinLyricist: Ira GershwinForm: ABAB’Standard Key: E-flat Major. George and Ira Gershwin wrote “But Not For Me” for the musical […]
We don’t discover new musical artists because we stumble across them. Over and over, it’s because someone who loves the artist gets us puts the right song in front of us. Without the right song, we are not likely to keep listening. Without the right enthusiast, we aren’t likely to […]
Extreme sports are sports “taking place at potentially dangerous speeds or heights, or involving a high level of physical exertion, highly specialized gear, or spectacular stunts.” I think the beauty of great music-making is that they are un-extreme sports. Without any of the show, the physical risk, or special technology […]
Ask a teacher anywhere I teach, and they’ll tell you that Snow Days are not created equal. An unexpected day off, with sparkling snow and the chance to catch up with your family and maybe some grading or planning? Delightful. Six days in a row, unable to do the job […]