arrange • compose • conduct
Hard music gets easy with practice. Often, the biggest challenge is to learn to speak the harmonic language the composer or arranger is using in the piece. Other times, it’s learning to express subtle meanings in the score. Learning to phrase effectively or sing physically demanding moments are regular challenges. […]
I need a quiet moment to write each day. And quiet moments don’t happen by accident. Between work responsibilities, home responsibilities, and the onslaught of news, podcasts, social media, and on and on, it’s very easy to make it through a day without finding a single quiet moment. It’s one […]
The archetypal larger-than-life conductor demands your respect. Expects it, compels it. Goes into a range if he doesn’t get it. (And it’s so often a he.) And perhaps this is a functional way to get an efficient rehearsal. There won’t be side conversations with that conductor at the front of […]
I always, always love the moment of shipping a new piece. It’s a great thrill to get a draft you’re happy with to the commissioning conductor and ensemble. But I always, always watch my stress level increase, bit by bit, from the moment I ship it until the moment I […]
Tomorrow begins another semester for many colleges and universities, and the first day of school in 2019 for K-12 schools across the country. With that in mind, I wish you a restful night free from first-day anxiety. You’ve got this! I know that a break can leave you feeling like […]
When I read for inspiration, I get at least as much insight and direction from things written at angles to my own work as I do from writings in my circle. Put another way – I learn a lot from reading outside of my discipline. It’s tempting to focus reading […]
Maybe you’re starting a New Year’s resolution that involves more consistent practice. It’s certainly a common one, and a worthy goal. It’s important to maintain this mindset as you set off towards more regular practicing: don’t expect results. I mean, of course expect results. But don’t be tied to them, […]
There are several ways for teachers to make their students stronger. (That’s the goal, isn’t it?) You can push down on your students. They will either crumple or push back, getting stronger along the way. You can have a tug-of-war with your students. Drag them towards your hill – they’ll […]
Owing to a quirk of copyright laws in the 1990s, no works have entered the public domain in the U.S. for twenty years. That ended yesterday, when all works created in 1923 became public domain. While these works aren’t exactly new, they do offer new material for composers and arrangers […]
Seth Godin has pointed out that no marathon coach can promise, “I can teach you how to run a marathon without getting tired.” No, a marathon coach’s job is to teach you how to manage the tiredness. It’s important that vocal music educators understand that that’s our job, too. It’s […]