On young musicians

by | May 8, 2007 | A view from the podium, Performing Life

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...

Indestructable

by | May 4, 2007 | A view from the podium, Performing Life

I never worked so hard to own another physical thing. Eleven years old, and suddenly in love with rock music, I started mowing lawns with a vengeance. A week or two after my twelfth birthday, it was mine. Even two months ago, it was a guitar that nobody else would...

Into the maelstrom

by | May 3, 2007 | A view from the podium, Performing Life

I sit in Portland Airport and I’m feeling a little anxious. In less than two hours, I’ll be back in Pendleton for the first time since the OES offices burned down. I tried hard to get over a few weeks ago, but we had an illness in the family (what is it about bad...

Frantic Friday

by | Apr 23, 2007 | A view from the podium, Performing Life

Friday, WSO I’m determined to save the morning for score study. Between Friday night and Monday night, I’m conducting four different programs with four different orchestras in four different cities (none of which are home), including the epic Elgar 1, Bruckner 4,...