I got very lucky. I have the best wife. She's an amazing person, and one of the places it really shows is in her work. For the last several years she has been an elementary school music teacher in some really tough schools, and she's amazing at it. She literally changes lives every day, and … Continue reading People First
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The Question of Success
"What is your greatest success?" I was asked that question last night by a former student working on an interview for a music education class. Seemingly simple, it turned out to be a loaded question, and since it's been stewing in my brain for a while, and other recent conversations with family and friends have … Continue reading The Question of Success
Micro-interactions: Small Changes=Big Gains
One of my ongoing quests is to find ways to help facilitate community in choirs without sacrificing time in service to the music. My dream is to never have to abandon one for the other. One of the best ways I've found to accomplish that goal is through what I call "micro-interactions." Basically, we're talking … Continue reading Micro-interactions: Small Changes=Big Gains
Gestural Musings: Intro and Framework
EDIT: I originally posted this as Conducting Gesture 101, but I'm going to do separate sets of blogs posts on gesture. Gesture 101 will be about refining basic mechanics, and Gestural Musings, of which this is the intro, will be more about the science, philosophy, and pedagogy of gesture. OK, now you know 🙂 My … Continue reading Gestural Musings: Intro and Framework
Space for everyone
Among other things, I am currently the director of music at a Unitarian Universalist church. This past weekend our congregation explored the 5 year anniversary of the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, MO in 2014. As part of the service, our pastor suggested that we teach the congregation a couple of songs from the … Continue reading Space for everyone
Small Changes = Big Gains: 5 Easy tweaks to how you say it (or don’t say it) that will change your choir.
We all know language is important. We usually think about being aware of what we say, but I believe that how we say something can send a message that is at least as important if not more. Check in on these 5 things to see if you might be sending mixed signals in your rehearsals … Continue reading Small Changes = Big Gains: 5 Easy tweaks to how you say it (or don’t say it) that will change your choir.
The Importance of Modeling Failure in our Choral Rehearsals
One of the things I hear a lot from choral conductors is that their singers don't seem to want to try. They're not motivated to put in the extra work outside of rehearsal, they tune out, they don't seem to think it matters if they miss time as long as they can make the concert … Continue reading The Importance of Modeling Failure in our Choral Rehearsals
What does a conducting coach do?
“Each person holds so much power within themselves that needs to be let out. Sometimes they just need a little nudge, a little direction, a little support, a little coaching, and the greatest things can happen.” Pete Carroll As conductors, our art is non-verbal communication. As ensemble directors, our main focus is people. In both of … Continue reading What does a conducting coach do?
Paul H. Thompson 