Latest Blog Posts
Comparison is the Thief of Joy
If you’re a church musician, I’m guessing you’re feeling the pressure of this time of year with Holy Week and Easter just around the corner. This time of year, I would love more rest and pause, a very challenging task in such a hectic time. Sometimes I’ll remember the saying that “Comparison is the thief […]
The Business of Composing Part 2: Licensing
The March/April 2023 issue of Choral Journal is online and features an article titled “The Business of Composing Part 2: Licensing” by Dan Forrest with Jake Runestad. Following is a portion from the article. _________________ If you publish music with a traditional publisher, and don’t care about all the inner workings, you don’t have to understand all the details […]
How the Sausage is Made in Sheet Music with Dan Forrest
In this episode, I have renowned composer and publisher Dan Forrest on the show to talk about the current state of the publishing industry. In addition to his own story about how he got involved in the publishing and composition world, as well as his thoughts about the history of music publishing, the changes due […]
Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: Listening
“I like to listen. I have learned a great deal from listening carefully. Most people never listen.” Ernest Hemingway Listening is a very important component of our Choral profession. We listen to our choruses in rehearsal for mistakes. We listen to the concerts we attend and the concerts we conduct. We listen to music for […]
The Conductor as Yogi: The Subtle Energy of Green
From gray to green. That’s how it is this time of year. The gray that characterizes the early months of the calendar slowly, surely, gives way to green, the color of spring. Writing this on St. Patrick’s Day, I see green everywhere and it instantly brightens my mood, enlivens my thinking, and lifts my energy. […]
The Business of Composing Part 1: Commissions & Publishing
The March/April 2023 issue of Choral Journal is online and features an article titled “The Business of Composing Part 1: Commissions & Publishing” by Jake Runestad with Dan Forrest. Following is a portion from the article. _________________ One of the great traditions of the choral community is supporting and performing new music by living composers. The development of […]
Education’s Relationship with Masculinity with Dr. Brendan Kwiatkowski
Did you know that boys have fallen behind girls in almost every measurable academic category? Boys are 3-6 times more likely to have an ADHD diagnosis, 3-5 times more likely to be expelled, 2-3 times more likely to die from suicide, and are reporting higher levels of loneliness on average. There are a lot of […]
“Let’s Be Each Other’s Audience” – an Advocacy & Collaboration Monthly Blog Post
By: Emily Crowe Sobotko What does it mean when we say, “Let’s be each other’s audiences?” To put it simply, it means that you show up for others and they show up for you. By building up our community, especially through collaboration and advocacy, we broaden our perspectives and ultimately learn from and celebrate others […]
The Importance of Routines and When to Ditch Them
Since I moved to Iowa City, Iowa in August 2022, much of the past several months has been establishing new routines. Even something as simple as where to go grocery shopping has taken some figuring out. With a new position comes new policies, procedures, and working relationships. Then there is emerging out of lockdown. Even […]