Hand-held percussion instruments are important to the style and flavor of a musical piece. They can be found in both non-profit and professional groups, and are played more often in a band than in an orchestra. Hand-held percussion instruments are also called auxiliary percussion, or more informally, “toys.” However, they are certainly no less important […]
Useful Hogwarts Spells for Music Directors
A couple of days ago I was perusing a conductor friend’s pictures from his various performances from 2017, and in this Potter-head’s mind (mine, not his), a few of them looked like he was casting spells. I found a decent list of spells from the Harry Potter canon (the books, not necessarily the movies) and […]
Flugel Flight
I’m getting ready to travel to China with a community orchestra, and, barring my current stuffy nose and the 13-hour plane ride, I’m looking forward to it. As with each time I travel, I think of the news stories of both professionals and amateurs who arrived at their destinations, only to end up with broken […]
The People You Meet – Thanksgiving 2017 Version
You never know who you’re going to meet at a party, or what their hidden talents might be. It’s always interesting to hear some people’s stories after they learn I’m a musician. Most will tell me they used to play an instrument in high school or college. Others will say they have no musical abilities, […]
The Great Stalactite Organ of Luray Caverns
Virginia’s Luray Caverns (http://luraycaverns.com/discover/caverns), discovered in 1878, is home to many unusual sights, but for visitors interested in music, the Great Stalacpipe Organ is a major highlight. It has been featured on “Ripley’s Believe It or Not” and is an excellent way to hear the resonance of the caverns. The area’s greatest draw is the […]