arrange • compose • conduct
When you start working from recipes, you tend to want to follow the recipe as precisely and completely as possible. Every 1/4 tsp. of salt, vanilla extract measured precisely, flour sifted exactly as directed. Over time, you learn what should stay close to the recipe, and what can be adapted. The vanilla can be substituted, or […]
Cooking experts consistently tell us that sharp knives are less dangerous than dull. With a dull knife, you have to press harder, leading to more risk of slipping and injury. A sharp knife works without effort, leading to gentler and safer cutting. But sharp knives are scarier. It’s a classic human error of […]
The social media world has buzzed today with celebrations of the 20th Anniversary of Harry Potter’s publication. Both Twitter (custom hashtag) and Facebook (fancy tagging animation) have had tributes to the series. We’re in the midst of a read-aloud trip through the series; the thing I come back to as I re-read […]
I give myself two choices with my opinions: have something positive to say, or be silent. Life is beautiful, and complex, and I want to add positivity and light into the world. So if I’m speaking out loud, or writing here or anywhere, it’s either positive skipped. It’s easy to write criticisms […]
This time of year is a great time for most choral professionals to take a step back and try to put play back into the work they do. You got into this work because you loved it. Because it brought you joy. There was a time when making music with a choir, […]
I’ve become a big believer in using streaks as a way to develop habits and skills. But there’s a liability with resting your motivation on your streak. Every streak is temporary. Literally every streak. If your motivation comes entirely from the streak, it’s easy to lose motivation, momentum, and all progress when you lose […]
There are so many available technologies to make choir directors’ lives easier. But I don’t think any is more useful than InDesign. Here are some of the many ways I use InDesign on a weekly basis: Concert Programs – Unlike word processing programs (e.g. the ubiquitous MS-Word), In InDesign objects and words stay […]
Use what you know now to get curious. Ask questions. Discover their answers. Repeat from Step 1. Follow for 10 years, and discover your expertise.
We all get into ruts in our cooking – week after week, the same meals in tight rotation. The challenge is boredom with the food. The advantage is the recipes is familiar, so it takes less thought to prepare. You can make mac & cheese in your sleep, and even some tricky […]
I saw an improv comedy show this weekend, and it left me reflecting on rules and insiders. Improv has a lot of rules guiding the behavior for participants. (Here’s Del Close’s 11 Commandments). Until you really know the rules, you might feel in the dark. You will be entertained by good improv, […]