Beethoven AND Bust!
How can classical music possibly balance demands for both Beethoven and new music? Why does it matter?
Getting Real with Classical Music, Part 3
OK, so I’ve written before about classical music checking in with reality and just giving the general public some of what they want, in order to rebuild trust in our …
Excellence vs. Opportunity
I heard someone mention excellence and opportunity awhile back and I can’t stop thinking about it. I chose a career in “excellent performance” once I began music schools, intent to play bass in a …
Classicism vs. Classism
I took part in a place-making workshop last week in Detroit. Despite the usual negative reports, my hometown is actually receiving huge private investments from billionaires, local corporations, and major …
Beyond Dumbing Down
This post is the speech I delivered at SphinxCon last week. (Video) Yes, it’s long at 15-minutes… but I’ll bring in some of the more interesting pictures from the slideshow. …
Getting Real with Classical Music, Part 2
So I left off here writing about the need for our major institutions to go beyond dumbing down to reach the casual community. In support of that statement, I was at a …
What Did You Learn Playing Classical in Bars, Rick?
I was recently asked in a meeting what I had been learning by sight-reading (unrehearsed) and performing (rehearsed) classical in bars, clubs and restaurants. Where do I start? I learned …