Some Thoughts on Moving Forward
Trophies at competitions, degree of difficulty in the repertoire performed, or the number of performances completed will not determine the success of instrumental ensembles in music education in the immediate future.
Lonely Travelers
Lost in the early stages of the pandemic, I wrote a piece for Dennis Emert’s Elementary Band from Fox Chapel for their performance at the 2020 PMEA Conference. Although we were disappointed that the debut was canceled, it was a pleasure visiting with he and his students virtually last spring. “Lonely Travelers” is a setting of the folk songs 900 […]
A Composer on Conducting: An overview
Conducting is but one aspect of successful teaching in instrumental music, and similar to discussion on rehearsal techniques or studio pedagogy, will only improve through sustained conversation and self-analysis of one’s own work.
As Moonlight Falls
I am delighted to share the recording of “As Moonlight Falls” (available from Wingert-Jones this summer). This lyric work has a lot to offer musically for developing tone, phrasing, and expression in young bands (Grade 2). I am especially proud of the beautiful moments within it, and it is certainly a change of pace for my writing at this level. […]
Episode 21 of the TMC: Finding your inner Michael McDonald
Where to perform? How to share the good work of your students? Some thoughts on “taking it (our music) to the streets” in Episode 21 of the The Two Minute Clinic.
