arrange • compose • conduct
From a discussion recently in Rockford Aces rehearsal: Write “Entertainment” and “Art” on opposite sides of the page, and a line connecting them. Now place the following things on that line: The arrangements of Alice Parker The arrangements of Deke Sharon The Hi-Lo’s N’Sync Seussical The Musical Into The Woods […]
I often think of arranging a song as a puzzle. You’re given a melody and original harmony, and you have to figure out a logical solution with acceptable voice leading, chord structure, bass line, balance, voicing, rhythmic interest, faithfulness to the original, creative departure from the past, needs of the […]
When you really don’t feel like it, do your daily practice anyway. Usually when you get the urge to quit, it’s because there are troubles happening in other part of your life. Perhaps a longtime friend is sick. Maybe your car broke down. You didn’t get to say goodbye to […]
They’re here, they’re ready to go. In a few hours The Real Group will take the stage and deliver one of the best concerts you’re likely to hear in Michigan this year. I know this in advance because of their incredible consistency. I know this because I know the kind […]
My dad loves sailing – from his youth in Rhode Island to sailing his J35 on Lake St. Clair in my youth, he’s always made time to sail. When he owned the Cross Check, he had with him the most wonderful crew of friends who regularly crewed with him on races. They were […]
A quote from our current choir booster president, on a very busy day a few years ago: We all have busy days. Like every one of you, I am 10% too busy. But it’s important to step past that and recognize how blessed I am to have that problem. It’s […]
In 1942-43, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra conductor Eugene Goossens led a commission program of eighteen Fanfares to open each orchestral concert series. He apparently intended them to be an artistic call-to-arms during World War II – he had embarked on a similar project in England during World War I. Seventeen of those Fanfares […]
I feel like I’ve entered Bizarro World – where the judgement of Grammy voters actually bestows artistic merit on recordings. Let me be clear: Grammy Awards are never consistently about the best music among the nominees any more than the Emmys or Oscars award the best television or movies. It’s about […]
Last Valentine’s Day I got to spend the day and evening with my very favorite vocal group, seeing the first time since 1997. Sweden’s a long way away. I got to see The Real Group again in Latvia during my trip to the World Choir Games with the Rockford Choirs […]
When you’re talking to one of your student’s friends, do they ever say something along the lines of, “Choir sounds like a lot of fun, but I can’t sing.” How do you respond? Here’s what we’ve been around Rockford lately. “Good news, we teach singing! I bet you couldn’t do […]