arrange • compose • conduct
The last 48 hours before school starts are the hardest. You know what’s going to happen, you are ready for it, and you can do it. But 48 hours out, you start to feel apprehensive. Like most people, I was always nervous for the first day of school in elementary […]
A recent startup company named Jukedeck caused a stir in the composer and arranger community. Basically, with a few sliders encompassing genre, tempo, emotion, etc. this online tool can “compose” unlimited new pieces of music with no further input from a human. I can understand the fear – this software […]
Don’t make any New Year’s Resolutions today. Instead, resolve to keep going. Improve what you’re doing. Get 5% better at the things you already do well, and 20% at the things you’ve just started. You’ve watched too many resolutions come and go with no real permanent change. You know that […]
This was a remarkable year for me and my family; here are a few of my highlights. 1. Composed/Arranged Piano/Vocal Arrangements: 2 A Cappella Arrangements: 8 Band Charts to Accompany Singers: 27 MSVMA Sight Reading Examples: 50 64 bars later, something like a finished […]
Do you rely on the threat of imminent failure to get motivated? I do, too. Do you realize it’s fear of finishing that is underpinning it? “The reason is simple: they can’t push through the common fear of completion unless they can create a greater fear of total failure.” – […]
The Wait-till-I-Get-There Syndrome: “I’ll do my best when it counts.” “When I get a lead, then I’ll put in the hours.” “Once I get into Chamber Singers, they’ll see what I can do.” There are two problems with this mindset. 1. Every opportunity leads to the next one. If you […]
Yesterday I wrote about trusting yourself with your work. It’s equally important to have someone else you trust just as much. Have someone who you trust to say, “that voicing sounds weird” or “this passage in the piano doesn’t work.” And believe them. I spent three hours yesterday with my […]
Looking at the blank page is easier if you trust yourself, and if you’re not afraid to delete what you’ve written. Combine those two things, and you’ll never suffer from writer’s block. I’ve suffered the disappointment of coming back to a piece and having to delete hours of yesterday’s work. […]
Rest actually begins the 26th. The gifts have been purchased (let’s be honest, choir directors bought them either in the summer or after break started.) The gifts have been given. No one is calling to book carolers for 11 months! Don’t think about music today. Grab a thick novel, a […]
According to research by Time Magazine, These are the most popular Christmas songs, based on number of recordings since 1978. I’m using this list to compile my Ultimate Christmas album – nearly thirty of the most popular songs, in my favorite version. It’s my little Christmas gift to you. Spotify […]