Mellow down easy

I have about an hour and a half of quiet time today. That might be too much. It sometimes seems that when you’re really, really busy, that’s the most tiring part of the day- the little lull or those few moments when your own inner soundtrack gets a chance to be heard....

New conductor blog

I recently ran into an old friend and colleague, Edwin Outwater, who was in Cardiff for a few days to work with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. We’ve known each other since the early days of our conducting lives as students and later staff conductors at the Round...

On young musicians

I wonder if the percentage of bloggers who are insomniacs is higher than the general population. It had been my goal at this hour to be having a nap between my four school concerts with the OES Preparatory Orchestra, and the formal concert this evening, but, exhausted...

Shut yer yapper

Quote of the week from Boise— “He has decent things to say to the orchestra, but by the time he says them, you’ve stopped caring. It’s extremely difficult to pay attention. I’m trying, but failing miserably. I sat assistant principal last...