Walking through my neighborhood, I’m listening to a podcast called “Happier”. The hosts, Gretchen Rubin and her sister, Elizabeth Craft, have a segment they call “Try This At Home” which is usually some tip or suggestion you can to do…
It has been six weeks today since I have seen a student in person at my studio. I am feeling the loss of connecting with my students and making music together. It’s also been six weeks since I’ve had a…
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] 8-Week Summer Reading Music Challenge In the eight weeks between The Fourth of July and Labor Day, I offer you this Summer Music Challenge. I just visited my local library this afternoon and saw their Summer Reading Challenges; one…
Next month, the Spring SERI class begins! SERI, which stands for Small Ensemble Reading Intensive, is a small group class I’ve developed and made available for saxophonists and clarinetists. My class is a SERIous opportunity to become a better musician!…
[Post edited and re-posted to reflect use of Pandora over Spotify.] One night, before I went to sleep, I asked my dream self to help me write today’s music appreciation article. I woke up with this headline on the tip of…
What would it sound like? Name that life song. I posed this question to family members at a recent party. Spouse Anita had the great idea to put up a poster-sized piece of paper. She wrote everyone’s name across the…
Feel Good Music For most of this week, I’ve been feeling off-center, off-kilter, just off. Like a rowboat cut free of the dock and without any oars to boot! This is not good. I’m someone who likes to have focus,…
Sometimes, in order to listen big, listen deep to music, we need to step back and first listen to the sounds of silence. This morning as I sat in silent meditation with about 6 other people, I became aware of…
The Listening Library: Haven, Refuge, Home Memories from my undergraduate days at Indiana State University: hanging out in the Listening Library. When I wasn’t in a practice room (or playing pinochle in the lounge area), I was in the Listening…
I’m attracted to these types of challenges – 30 day photo challenge, 30 day fitness challenge, or 8 hour decluttering class. They all have that manageable, well-defined scope and a single, simple (but not always easy) task. I even designed…
How to Give a Practice Performance and Stop Stage Fright It’s time again for the Spring recital performance. My students have been practicing their solos and ensemble pieces. They have been practicing scales and long tones; their foundational skills. And…
When it comes to music, I’m so grateful for my hearing. My healthy ears help me hear the sounds and textures of orchestras and wind symphonies; the ability to identify individual instruments in big bands, and chamber groups; and hear…