arrange • compose • conduct
One of the joys of writing music is getting to hear it performed for the first time. Or the tenth time. Or the thousandth time. And on a weekend like this, I’m feeling especially lucky to have have three different concerts feature my music. Sadly, I was only at one […]
The past few days I’ve been in a foul mood. It was only yesterday that I realized that Rainer Maria Rilke told me the reason – a long time ago. This most of all: ask yourself in the most silent hour of your night: must I write? Dig into yourself […]
I just found out that my arrangement of “Jingle Bell Rock” for TTBB a cappella choir has officially been published by Sound Music Publications. They’re a great independent publishing companies started by some of the biggest names in vocal jazz. Their catalog is outstanding and I’m honored to have joined […]
I have a student going through a tough rejection from her music school of choice. It’s leading to all sorts of questions about career, future, worthiness, and on and on. When I see a student going through this, it bring me back to one moment at the end of my […]
Your reading for the weekend…all in one place! Tony Bennett’s new Duets II is his first ever #1 album – at the age of 85! Here’s a nice article about his artistry and answering the question, how does he so consistently bring his collaborators to new heights? And since we’re […]
I awoke to the wonderful news that Francisco Nuñez has been awarded the MacArthur Foundation “Genius Grant” – $500,000 over five years with no strings attached. He’s the founder and artistic director of the Young People’s Chorus of New York. The Foundation isn’t totally clear about how they select their […]
Links fresh and classic for your long weekend… John Conyers Pushing for Copyright Reform – He’s trying to clarify the law because many artists are asserting ownership over their classic recordings. And record companies want to keep making money. If the past precedent holds, the record companies will win. Here’s […]
Every year we go through the same motions – planning auditions, making first day announcements, programming music. Here are a few ideas to start your choir’s new year in a higher gear! 1. Commission and program new music. Having music written just for them helps a choir to bond and […]
Some links to keep you reading and listening over the weekend. If You Wouldn’t Do Your Job For Free, Then Quit (Lifehacker) The problem, of course, is that some people think that if you would do your job for free, you should do your job for free. But I wake […]
Last week I attended my first MSVMA Summer Workshop in Lansing, MI. It’s a much smaller event (maybe 150 people) than the last few conventions I’ve attended (Michigan Music Conference, ACDA National or Divisional, the old IAJE Conventions). Plus, there were no performing ensembles, only clinics, discussions, and reading sessions. […]