"I just play good music, I don’t care who wrote it…"
I’ve read or heard this phrase more than I wish to, and it’s time to be the elephant in the room and share some humble truths about...
Behavioural issues in the band room:
5 changes that may save your life.
In more recent months, I have noticed an abundance of posts in music educator Facebook groups that pertain to student dedication (or lack...
This word, "quality"...
If I ran a poll to ascertain the 5 top words used in conjunction with "wind band repertoire" I'm pretty sure that "quality" would be...
How do you "Live the dream" and like it?
I’m 48 years old. Life is rich in so many ways. I have the most beautiful, supportive husband by my side. A daughter I dreamed of and the...
More than marches and medleys: discover the wind symphony
“Why this cold-shouldering of the wind band by most composers? Is the wind band – with its varied assortments of reeds (so much richer...
Do you have a "sugar-coated" repertoire addiction?
Sugar has become a socially acceptable addictive substance that can be used as anything from a bribe to hug. But is it doing more harm...
The Brain-Dead Band Director
Let me explain... By brain-dead I don't mean stupid, or incapable; I mean over-worked. The Brain-Dead Band Director is the one who is...
Compose with music concepts in rehearsal using 'Letter from Sado'.
Letter from Sado was commissioned as part of the BandQuest series in 2014. Since then it has received hundreds of unique performance...
The première: How can you, the conductor, make sure it's awesome for the ensemble AND the compos
I’m sitting here in Vancouver, waiting to board an aircraft to take me home to Australia. It’s been an extraordinary week that has...
Whose ears are you listening with?
In my first year of University, my composition teacher Larry Sitsky introduced me to the inimitable composer Harry Partch. Partch had his...