Latest Blog Posts

Having never really grown up – as evidenced by my converse sneakers and the “Cars” posters & LEGO toys all over my office – I am of the opinion that a little levity in a rehearsal is a good thing.  It looks as though Stephen Sieck shares that sentiment.  His article, “Humor in Choral Rehearsals” […]

Ever notice that the best things in life are made better when the experience is shared?  Whether it’s a night at the movies, a great thunderstorm, or a day at an amusement park, some events just seem to demand to not be done solo.  Even some chocolate bars come in two pieces – they are […]

Every type of choir has a unique set of challenges.  In his article, “Community Choirs – Mission Possible?” (Melisma, Vol.20, No.3), Rick Bjella lists some of the keys to a successful community choir.   • A community choir does not necessarily want to be a great high school or college choir. • Rehearsal schedules at […]

For many, the terms “reflection,” “introspection, or “philosophy” are about as attractive as the words “dental drill.”  But trust me for a short 230 words, will you, please?   Choral conductors cannot simply be musical mechanics; we have a responsibility to dig a little deeper.  Among the great philosophical souls in our profession was the […]

The April Harvard Business Review offers a condensed version of Walter Isaacson's biography of the innovator's innovator, Steve Jobs. In the article The Real Leadership Lessons of Steve Jobs, Isaacson extracts 14 lessons leaders can glean from the life and work of Apple's Steve Jobs. These make for a great dashboard of thought and consideration […]

I'm teaching choral conducting this semester and I'm in the middle of a unit on the importance of text in choral music.   I'm using as my basis an article from one of my mentors, John Dickson, who recently was named Director of Choral Activities at LSU.  I had a fabulous choral methods class with […]

Skype is becoming popular in music lessons around the world.   Will a SKYPE choir be next? See this from the New York Times: Skype and other videochat programs have transformed the simple phone call, but the technology is venturing into a new frontier: it is upending and democratizing the world of music lessons. Students […]

It’s that crazy-busy time of year in our profession.   Think about the biggest stumbling block you’ve faced during this season.  Was it an irascible and inflexible colleague in the athletic department?  Maybe you’re struggling with a couple of diva students.  Perhaps you have some high-maintenance parents rattling your cage.   Now put yourself in […]

In university ensembles, we often work 5 hours per week for 8 weeks or more to prepare 1 concert.  Yet, Sunday morning comes for church choirs relentlessly every Sunday, needing a song of quality to support worship.  I follow a few simple steps to help make each week’s selection productive and helpful for services.    […]

In 1780, future U.S. President John Adams famously wrote to his wife, Abigail, “I must study politics and war, that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy, geography, natural history and naval architecture, navigation, commerce, and agriculture, in order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, statuary, […]