arrange • compose • conduct
Yesterday I heard on NPR, “Over a quarter of all Americans are too young to remember the September 11 attacks.” Our success in teaching relies, in no small way, on communicating through shared references. The shocking observation above should remind us that our shared references must constantly be updated, because […]
When a person recommends music to me, but I just don’t react favorably, I tend to ascribe it to one of three possibilities. Wrong Time: I might love it in five years, I might have loved it five years ago; right now is the wrong time for me and that […]
The overarching purpose of a choir retreat is to supercharge the year. Supercharge the relationships, the group dynamics, and of course the music. The upside: a well-planned retreat can definitely supercharge all of those things! You will reap the benefits of your weekend together for months. The downside: a well-planned […]
Welcome to Week 7 of The Definitive Version, a new weekly feature of my website. You can read more about the project here. Song: “Pick Yourself Up” Composer: Jerome Kern Lyricist: Dorothy Fields Form: A A’ B A Standard Key: F Major Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields wrote this delightful song for […]
There is something to be said for being exhausted alongside your choir. When we’re tired, we can be more vulnerable, more honest, less guarded. In other words, being tired primes us for the kind of connections we need to form a strong bond with our teammates. One of the reasons […]
Challenge: Organize an event, and stay motivated not to drop any of the many balls you are juggling. Challenge: Be ready to forgive yourself, because you know that you will inevitably drop a ball, because you are human, and there are many balls in the air. Can you do both […]
Personal Bibliography: Leadership Click here for my complete Personal Bibliography. Brown, Brené. Braving the Wilderness. The theme of true belonging in this book speaks to the kinds of communities I’m trying to build. Brown, Brené. Rising Strong. The approaches to resiliency Brown describes in this book are vital both as […]
Learning a new piece can feel, particularly to the younger singer, like drowning in information. The patterns and musical relationships that are obvious to trained musicians can be lost as young singers try to keep their heads above water. One strategy to dodge this challenge is to break down the […]
Setting a purpose with your ensemble is a valuable thing to do first thing in the year. Actually, second thing. First thing should be singing. But maybe halfway through your first rehearsal, pause to breathe and talk purpose. Having your own reasons for being in a choir is great – […]
Welcome to Week 6 of The Definitive Version, a new weekly feature of my website. You can read more about the project here. Song: “Nature Boy” Composer: Eden Ahbez Lyricist: Eden Ahbez Form: A B A B’ Standard Key: E Minor Eden Ahbez wrote this song for Nat “King” Cole, who premiered […]