“A concert hall is like a shrine that people turn to for something that they can’t get anywhere else.” –The Musician’s Way, p. 154 If we’re to fill seats in concert halls, we have to present programs and experiences that resonate with audiences. And one way to design...
“Like any performance, a job interview involves specialized knowledge and skills.” Building on my previous post, “Applying for Music Faculty Positions,” this article offers tips to help candidates interview successfully for music teaching jobs in colleges,...
“I finished my DMA in piano from a top program a couple of years ago and have two MM degrees from one of the best conservatories in the world. . . . I have always felt that with my many abilities and terrific recommendation letters, a full-time job was just around...
“How in good conscience can we continue to graduate thousands of students a year who have no hope of getting a job in the field they were trained for?” –Michael Drapkin, clarinetist BusinessWeek.com, March 28, 2007 Amid the tumult in the music industry,...
“All the inspiration I ever needed was a phone call from a producer.” –Cole Porter, composer The Musician’s Way, p. 108 Many musicians mistakenly deem career-building tasks to be anti-creative. For them, career development equates with writing newsletters, updating...
“Whatever you value most in music, pursue it.” –The Musician’s Way, p. 312 The rising musicians who’ll thrive in today’s economy will often do so owing to a combination of their musical and entrepreneurial skills. What do we mean when we describe musicians as...
“Your imagination with programming can make the difference between your becoming either a busy performer with an eager audience or one who performs little.” -The Musician’s Way, p. 216 Why do people attend concerts by rising musicians? Primarily because they feel...
“What we play is life.” –Louis Armstrong, trumpeter and composer Would many musicians dispute Louis Armstrong’s words? I doubt it. With each turn of a phrase, we performers spin out some of the essence of being alive, and we relish every moment. But we don’t create...
“If you want to be creative, get out there and do it.” –Michael Giacchino, composer (March 2010 Oscar acceptance speech) Almost all of the ambitious music students I meet share two common concerns. They wonder: 1.”Do I have what it takes?” 2.”Will I...
