I Got Grand Rapids!

Every professional musician has had “that” happen to them.  You somehow find yourself in a random conversation with a stranger and the subject of profession comes up.  You sheepishly let slip that you are a musician……… a professional musician………….. a professional classical musician……. and you get “The Look.”

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The First Official Post!

Welcome to Sticks and Drones, the offbeat and probably irreverent new blog about Conducting and all its foibles co-authored by myself and my colleague Ron Spigelman.  Much thought has gone into what should be my first official post and I have decided to make this a tribute to one of the great musicians alive today, my friend, colleague, and mentor Daniel Barenboim.

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The Audience Connection – Course Description

Music, the organic art form that can give a life purpose and fulfillment for the performer and the listener.  Right now, little more than about 1 in 10 people in America listens to Classical music, and even less attend live Classical Music performances.  This class is an attempt to address this problem directly. COURSE GOALS:1. For students to begin to be able to reach out to audiences of all ages with music in a way that makes the art form accessible, fulfilling, visceral, and most importantly, relevant. 2. To understand and implement … Continue Reading