Latest Blog Posts

I wish I had thought of this, from Clef Notes and Drama Queens by Tim Smith.  A blog featuring Britten: On this Veterans Day, I wanted to share something from Benjamin Britten’s profound “War Requiem.” The composer interwove the ancient Latin Mass for the Dead with haunting poetry of Wilfred Owen to create a musical […]

Laurel Masse, a singer, takes notes on the rhythm of words in her revived passion for language: What I have been discovering in acting – illuminated by the skills of the wonderful actors I am working with – is that the words themselves have a melody, subtle, but strong. Though I've often told shy, first-time […]

Alex Ross takes notice of this article by Tim Mangan and makes some very interesting comments on the future of the superstar conductor.  Take a look: The specifics can be debated, but a larger point seems clear. With the complicated cultural and financial pressures now circling orchestras, the modern music director needs more than ever […]

I love it when I see someone relate Stephen Covey’s ideas to choir.  Helping You Harmonise supplies another great insight with the conductor’s circle of influence:   I have a lot of conversations with choir directors, and one of the things I’ve noticed is that there is a strong correlation between how happy or unhappy […]

Two ChoralBlogs back I wrote about the efforts the American Choral Directors Association continues to make as it works at being a transparent organization. My previous blog highlighted the ACDA audition process, the Choral Journal publication process, and our election of leaders. Today I would like to outline what we are doing to be transparent […]

There is so much promise in this video:   1.  Left handed conducting 2.  Inexpensive instruments 3.  A replacement for handbells in church?  

(one in an occasional series highlighting ridiculous inclusive-language overkill, without regard for the scansion, meaning, or music.)   Today’s example is a relatively mild one, yet with important philosophical ramifications. This week’s lectionary includes Psalm 149, whose fourth verse begins as follows: For the Lord takes pleasure in his people… at least in the distant […]

These mass events are really catching on and I love it:    

I have a research project I am pursuing this Thanksgiving month (Thursday, November 25, in the U.S.), and I would love to have others join me in their own personalized version of this process.   Immediately after I graduated from High School, my family moved to the other end of the state. That fall, I […]

In case you missed it, Arvo Part was featured in the New York Times a couple of weeks ago.  With a new job and busier life than ever, I've missed bringing it to your attention: Last month, Pärt marked his 75th birthday, and the event was celebrated with a festival of his music throughout Estonia, […]