In one of my choirs, the graduating seniors were asked to share words of wisdom as we look forward to graduation in the next couple weeks. I'm in a unique position in that I actually graduated back in 2016 with a BA in Piano Performance and English Literature but had the opportunity to return to …
The Power of Chopin’s Prelude in E Minor, Op. 28 No. 4
170 years after his death, Chopin still captivates audiences with his music. His set of preludes that cover all 24 major and minor keys are a great starting place to learn how to analyze his work, as it can be dense. The Prelude in E minor, op. 28 no. 4 is one of my favorites …
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And Crown Thy Good With Brotherhood
"O beautiful for spacious skies..." begins a tune that America has beat its drum to for many years. The song, a poem by Katharine Lee Bates set to music by Samuel A. Ward, speaks of the beauty of this land. Purple mountains in their majesty, amber grain waving in the breeze, seas shining in the …
3 Questions to Ask When You Feel Pointless as a Musician
Constant self criticism, practicing perfectionism, locking yourself away for hours. Such is the life of a musician. Half of it, anyway. The other half of being a musician can be so rewarding, but when you're stuck in the first half, it can feel like there's no point in trying. There's so many more people that …
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A Little Bit of Math and Magic
Music. It hovers around us every day. Some say that it is a fundamental part of being. At its base, music is a collection of sounds in the air. (Some old-fashioners would say "organized sounds," but we have John Cage to thank for a more inclusive definition.) Once the air molecules cease to vibrate, the …
When You’re Feeling Down
One of the things that I find most inspiring about professional musicians is their ability to keep practicing every single day. Despite however they're feeling about the day, they press on and practice. There are so many days when I've just felt awful about myself and my abilities to play. I wonder why I'm even …
