Without Humans To Sing It

“There is no such thing as song without human beings to sing it.” Alice Parker, in conversation with Krista Tippett Paintings are still there when the museum is closed. The building stands when there is no one inside. A play exists on the page, even when the production has closed. But there […]

Introverts With Something to Say

Liking to talk isn’t the same as having something to say. One of the challenges of education is encouraging the introverts with something to say, instead of encouraging the students who are “good in front of a crowd” but don’t add anything to the conversation. Not everyone who is silent has something […]

Why I Program Hard Music

I like to program difficult music for my ensembles. Here’s why. When an ensemble sight reads something difficult, you will often see a look of doubt on their faces. They don’t think it’s hard: they think it’s impossible. Too hard for them at their current level of skill. I program hard music […]

Never Perfect

An excerpt from a note I sent this week to my students, who are giving a performance today at the ACDA-Michigan State Conference. I’ve never given a perfect performance. Not as a performer, not as a conductor. I don’t think I’ve ever attended a perfect performance. Every performance is a chance […]