“Programs are a bit like prix-fixe menus in a restaurant: We can’t serve music à la carte . . . so our menu has to be quite diverse and – tasty.” -Eckart Preu, conductor The Musician’s Way, p. 212 Musicians who can transfix audiences succeed...
Arts entrepreneurship isn’t a slice of the educational pie – it’s the pan. I adapted that opening sentence from a statement attributed to Andrew Rasiej (“Innovation is not a slice of the pie – it’s the pan”). The concept of pan...
“You don’t always have to chop with the sword of truth. You can point with it too.” –Anne Lamott The Musician’s Way, p. 299 Although criticism is essential to all sorts of collaboration, poorly handled critiques can undermine our ability to work...
“Throw yourself into life as someone who makes a difference.” –Benjamin Zander, conductor The Musician’s Way, p. 305 One of the most powerful ways that we can make a difference in life is to do creative work. Still, unless we choose our aims wisely, we can...
“Few occasions in life are more hopeful than when musicians team up to form ensembles.” –The Musician’s Way, p. 115 If you’ve performed with a band or other group, then you know how magical collective music making can be. You’ve probably also learned that...
“Combine your mistakes and your triumphs, stir them into the pot of artistic progress, and then savor what bubbles up.” –The Musician’s Way, p. 112 Let’s say that you’ve pinpointed some creative goals, equipped your workspace, and scheduled daily times to...
“It’s not who you know; it’s who knows you.” –Saying When it comes to networking, I can’t imagine a more useful truism than the one above. In essence, networking is an ongoing process of community-building in which we keep people informed about our activities...
“Artistic performers are prepared performers.” -The Musician’s Way, p. 155 Imagine that you’re backstage, minutes before the start of a concert: Are you feeling confident, or are you worried that things could go awry? Unlike less-experienced...
“I cannot tell you how much I love to play for people.” –Arthur Rubinstein, pianist The October/November issue of The Musician’s Way Newsletter brings together a range of important resources for aspiring and veteran musicians. You’ll find announcements...
