Musical Musings
Something’s Really Wrong If They Start Crying
It is one thing to see a child crying tears of frustration when learning a new piece. It is quite another thing when it is a professional musician.
Something’s Really Wrong If They Start Crying
It is one thing to see a child crying tears of frustration when learning a new piece. It is quite another thing when it is a professional musician.
Parent vs. Teacher
As parents we have the ability to create the groundwork for starting music lessons on a happy note, so to speak. In fact, for most of us music is already...
Parent vs. Teacher
As parents we have the ability to create the groundwork for starting music lessons on a happy note, so to speak. In fact, for most of us music is already...
The Right Choice
Often, beginning instrumental music teachers are picked based on their location, their fee, and their availability. Indeed, I suspect most of us had our first teachers picked based on pragmatic...
The Right Choice
Often, beginning instrumental music teachers are picked based on their location, their fee, and their availability. Indeed, I suspect most of us had our first teachers picked based on pragmatic...
Relearning After Having a Bad Teacher
I received a disheartening email from a close friend about his daughter’s frustration with trying to learn how to play the piano. She started taking lessons at the age of...
Relearning After Having a Bad Teacher
I received a disheartening email from a close friend about his daughter’s frustration with trying to learn how to play the piano. She started taking lessons at the age of...
Scheduling the Creativity Out of Life
I dread this time of year. I feel the summer running out and all of my good intentions to catch up on things going with it. The worst thing, though,...
Scheduling the Creativity Out of Life
I dread this time of year. I feel the summer running out and all of my good intentions to catch up on things going with it. The worst thing, though,...
Always Ask More Questions
I screwed up. For the first time in my life as a “professional” composer, I disappointed a commissioner
Always Ask More Questions
I screwed up. For the first time in my life as a “professional” composer, I disappointed a commissioner
McMusic?
Ugh. McDonalds. We had just finished a road trip with our then preschooler from Park City, Utah, where we were attending a music festival. While having time together was...
McMusic?
Ugh. McDonalds. We had just finished a road trip with our then preschooler from Park City, Utah, where we were attending a music festival. While having time together was...
No PhD Required
Last week I attended a talk where some players and composers were discussing how to get an audience engaged in listening to a new piece of music. While there...
No PhD Required
Last week I attended a talk where some players and composers were discussing how to get an audience engaged in listening to a new piece of music. While there...
Five Things You Shouldn’t Do
Last month I wrote about the American Composers Forum’s BandQuest program and composer Michael Colgrass’s thoughts about what he learned in participating in this groundbreaking project.
Five Things You Shouldn’t Do
Last month I wrote about the American Composers Forum’s BandQuest program and composer Michael Colgrass’s thoughts about what he learned in participating in this groundbreaking project.
Amateurs, Beginners, and Students
A couple of weeks ago one of NewMusicBox’s readers expressed concern over my use of the word amateur in reference to students. The author wrote: “Students are not amateurs—they are...
Amateurs, Beginners, and Students
A couple of weeks ago one of NewMusicBox’s readers expressed concern over my use of the word amateur in reference to students. The author wrote: “Students are not amateurs—they are...
Why Are Kids Better?
Last Sunday I experienced the highpoint of my concert going for this season. From the programming to the performances to the audience, I felt like I was partaking in a...
Why Are Kids Better?
Last Sunday I experienced the highpoint of my concert going for this season. From the programming to the performances to the audience, I felt like I was partaking in a...