It’s uncomfortable question #147, one that too many of us try to avoid: What's the impact you're making through your music? Let’s talk legacy: yours, mine, ours. This has been on my mind lately because as we enter the darker, colder season of these challenging times,...
Who is it that inspires you? As a role model, as a hero, MLK exemplified a mission-driven life and the belief that each of us has the power to change the world. Of course, you may say to yourself something like . . . "I'm no hero. I don't have a grand purpose: I'm...
MONDAY BYTES — February 15, 2016 President's Day has me ruminating on leadership. We don't often think about musicians as leaders or associate musicianship and leadership. Perhaps it's because unless someone is starting her or his own ensemble, series, or festival, we...
MONDAY BYTES — December 14, 2015 Holiday Stress anyone? Inevitably, at this time of year we look over the past 12 months and ahead to the next—often with a feeling that we're powerless to make significant change. My holiday gift to you is a game changing exercise...
Seems like an odd question for musicians — What business are you really in?" But when it comes to having effective promotional materials and clarity of mission, it's an essential question. Terry O'Reilly, in his excellent CBC radio show "Under the Influence" (from...
MONDAY BYTES - May 13, 2013 The other night I heard Barbara Cook (at 85!) perform an intimate concert for a large crowd at Symphony Hall in Boston. She had me and 92% of the audience with tears in our eyes by the second song. Get a dose on her website—there are three...
MONDAY BYTES - May 6, 2013 I am a big fan of the Festival of Arts and Ideas in New Haven (terrific and inventive programming) and of its visionary Executive Director Mary Lou Aleskie! I recently found this mini interview of hers that puts all of our work in the arts...
MONDAY BYTES - July 23, 2012 I first came across the term "right livelihood" in a career counselors' workshop. It was used to describe a profession that's a great fit for an individual—work that is satisfying on a number of levels (intellectual, emotional, etc.) I...
MONDAY BYTES - February 13, 2012 My friend Florrie's taking a class in which everyone has to write his or her own obituary. It's a great exercise—and it can be played two ways. Version one: write as though you had just died and review the life you've led. Do you feel...
MONDAY BYTES - October 24, 2011 Do you have what it takes? Maybe you heard this recent NPR Radio Lab show segment on Deception—on Lying? There was a provocative 10 minute portion on self-deception and the research that shows the connection between self-delusion,...
