Latest Blog Posts

“The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to overlook.” William James My late mother, an opera singer, used to tell me that the music was the easy part; it was all the other stuff surrounding the music that was difficult. She was right; I would not have enough material to write […]

How do we actively engage students in lifelong music learning and participation? 1. By becoming aware of our teaching and instructional habits in the classroom. Teaching “out loud” encourages teachers to put the ensemble right in the middle of the rehearsal process with you. To let your students hear you think, hear you question, and […]

I have read the New York Times every morning for much of my adult life, although lately there have been mornings when I have put this activity off until later in the day…there just hasn’t been much good news. It’s difficult to find articles that aren’t directly or indirectly related to our current shared situation. […]

The October 2016 issue of Choral Journal features an article titled “Keeping the Glass Half Full: Teaching Adolescents with a Holistic Perspective” by Bridget Sweet. You can read it in its entirety online at acda.org/choraljournal. Click “Search Archives” and choose October 2016 from the dropdown menu. Below is an excerpt from the article._____________________________ “When describing the young adolescent, floods […]

“All has been looted, betrayed, sold; black death’s wing flashed ahead.” Anna Akhmatova I don’t know about you, but for the last month, I’ve been searching for the “normal” in my life and there doesn’t seem to be any normal anywhere. I’ve had to cancel our May concert. Projects I’ve looked forward to have gone […]

Emptiness at the Heart of Music So often when we speak or write about music – when we practice, when we listen or perform – the focus of our attention is on the notes being played or sung. These notes, their pitches and rhythmic accuracy, the articulation and tone with which they are produced, how […]

_____________________________ Choral Journal’s ongoing column called “Choral Conversations” features interviews with noted choral conductors and composers. An interview with Anton Armstrong is featured in the April 2020 issue. You can read the interview in its entirety online at acda.org/choraljournal. Click “Search Archives” and choose April 2020 from the dropdown menu._____________________________ As someone who has traveled the […]

By Donald B. Miller On December 28, 2018, New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a law making “Here Rests In Honored Glory” New York State’s Official Hymn of Remembrance in honor of all American Veterans. The composition is scored for SATB chorus, three trumpets, two trombones, tuba, timpani, and organ. This work is intended […]

“He, who every morning plans the transactions of the day, and follows that plan, carries a thread that will guide him through a labyrinth of the most busy life.” Victor Hugo This was written and scheduled before COVID-19 changed our world. Please enjoy and hope we all are soon back to normal! I am sure […]

I am now in my fourth week of Distance Learning and am finally getting a handle on teaching High School Music Theory and Choral Music online.  It is challenging work, and at times it gets very frustrating, but also intriguing.  The innovation and creativity I see at work with my colleagues, and the work of […]