When it comes to the essence of education, I often reflect on the wisdom of the Dalai Lama XIV: “When you talk, you are only repeating what you already know. But, if you listen,...

Teachers are an amazing lot. Equal parts talent, perseverance, patience, wisdom, drive, passion, stamina, empathy, and about 200 other attributes. But we also all...

Orson Scott Card wrote: “To a man with only a hammer, a screw is a defective nail.” Far too often over the years I have found it easy to use the success and progress of most...

I firmly believe a good rule of thumb for all brass players is that the angle of the lead pipe should follow the angle of the jaw. Though there are certainly exceptions,...

Do you have fun in rehearsals? Do your students have fun in rehearsals? Maybe not every minute of every rehearsal, but in general? I am convinced that if the first is true, the...

Many versions of this remarkable poem abound, each with slightly different sentiments. But this is my favorite. I ask that the next time you walk toward your school, and...

A great way to help clarinetists know how much of the mouthpiece to have in their mouth, and prevent the all too common problem of them using too little, is to have them play an...

At the start of your next rehearsal, write this anonymous quote on the board. I wouldn’t say a word. I would just stand and stare at it. “Every job is a self-portrait of the...

I am convinced that too many students quit instrumental music because they just don’t think they are very good at it. I think one way we can combat that is by playing technically...