It was hot—really hot as I wound my way up the Historic Columbia River Highway to the Royal School of Church Music Retreat. The river glistened in the evening light as I entered the beautiful grounds of the Menucha Retreat Center in Corbett,
Does Your Audience Resonate with You?
Certain ideas, stories, and music resonate with us. They move us. They make us feel good when we hear or read them. Why? Because they VALIDATE our thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Resonance is validation. Something inside us stands up and says “YES! I know
How much should you CARE about your audience?
Your SHOULD care. A LOT. Here’s why: When your audience knows who you are, and that you care about them, then they care about what you know. Even though this is a philosophy in public speaking, it still resonates deeply in the music
The Truth About Music and Performance, Hiding in Plain Sight
First, I want you to think back to your most profound experiences of music: when you felt a unity with the audience, the performer, or something greater than yourself; when your mind was very calm and your heart open. Chances are,
What is your best possible outcome?
“Orchestra, you are free to go! Choir, just a few more spots to go over…” I put my cello away and stood for a moment watching the Pacific University choirs prepare for tonight’s performance of Durufle’s Requiem. Here were 70 singers in
Are You a Spiritually Independent Musician?
Is your spirituality tucked safely out of harms way? Have you ever yearned to bring into the secular world of the Arts the deep spiritual truths that you have experienced? Centuries ago we created a barrier separating the Arts and Sciences from the
Resonating with Bliss – Finding Happiness through music
Why does music bring us such pleasure? It is an immersion experience of vibrations— vibrations of sound, of energy, thought and feeling infused into the notes by composer and performer. When we openly absorb all of these audible and inaudible