arrange • compose • conduct
I really struggled keeping a secret from my wife Mandy these last two weeks. Of course, the secret was worth keeping – it was a secret Facebook group devoted to performing Random Acts of Kindness in celebration of her 40th birthday. We set a goal of 40, but ended up achieving […]
Last year I inaugurated spring auditions – I had previously auditioned the first week of school. Now, there are disadvantages, particularly with personnel adjustments due to moves or other summer complications. Collegiate ensembles would have a much harder time auditioning in April for September start. But the biggest advantage I see is […]
One of my favorite recipes to cook is Francis Lam’s Weapons-Grade Ratatouille. (He says it’s done when you take a taste and want to punch a wall. He’s not kidding.) What makes his recipe tick, and leave you transformed, is the combination of really three important parts: Simple, quality ingredients Basic […]
“I draw two or three cartoons every night.” That’s what keeps me leaning into creativity every day. That quote by my eight-year-old son. Children, of course, don’t consider that anything special – creation is a natural state. And we can return to that default, if we can only get out […]
A shibboleth is a sort of shorthand – a passcode for the ancient Israelites. (I’ll let Jed Bartlet explain.) As conductors, we don’t have time to really gauge personality, work ethic, musicality, ear, demeanor, and all the other factors that go into making outstanding ensemble members. Certainly not in 5 minutes. So we must create […]
Don’t Friend Students. I accept friend requests from students, and there’s nothing I wouldn’t want seen on my front porch, but I hold hard and fast that they must initiate the connection. Don’t Post Complaints in Groups. A surprising number of colleagues will regularly post complaints about students, about teachers, about administrators. Even in a private group just […]
Last night I asked the six seniors in my ensemble to share some wisdom that would be useful for future members. They’ll graduate on Tuesday and head off to new and different musical experiences. Here are the six insights they shared: RJ: Cherish every moment that you have. The music making will move fast. […]
It takes a different kind of energy to perform for children. If, say, you are performing for a gymnasium full of elementary school students, age 5-11, you need to adjust more than your programming to reach them. Your facial energy, your physical energy, tempos, interaction – all need to adjust to […]
I have been part of an amazing team for the last 5 years planning and facilitating the most expansive choral conference in Michigan. It feature dozens of sessions from choral experts, including plenty of reading sessions, clinics, headliners, and more. I’m especially excited this year because we’re devoting an entire day […]
Your choir had thirty rehearsals this year: 60 hours together to work on making music, making art. That’s not enough time. It’s not enough time for artistry. It’s not enough time to cover all the subjects you want to cover, or learn all the music you put in their folders. It’s certainly not enough […]