Genius Grant

I awoke to the wonderful news that Francisco Nuñez has been awarded the MacArthur Foundation "Genius Grant" - $500,000 over five years with no strings attached. He's the founder and artistic director of the Young People's Chorus of New York. The Foundation isn't totally clear about how they select their grant recipients, but I like to imagine them simply saying, "there's someone who will do amazing things with our help."

My brief history with Nuñez goes all the way back to March, when his concert session with the Young People's Chorus at the ACDA National Convention was among the most compelling performances I attended. I was then pleased to learn that my students might get to work with him next May in the Michigan All-State Choir. I was even more pleased to find out that I'd be working with him this winter when he is coming in to conduct the 75th Anniversary MSVMA Teacher Choir. (I'm looking forward to being in a musical situation where someone else is making the decisions...the fact that it's Mr. Nuñez is such a great bonus!)

As I've read more about his work today, what has most moved most me is his ability to dream big. Witness his success in persuading "name" composers to write pieces for children's chorus in this article he wrote in January for NewMusicBox.

It makes me want to dream bigger! What status quo am I accepting? Where should I be pushing harder? What is possible if I really pursue it?

Thank you to the MacArthur Foundation for recognizing his genius. And thank you to Francisco Nuñez for reminding me of what is possible!

Seven Ways to Jump Start Your School Year

Every year we go through the same motions - planning auditions, making first day announcements, programming music. Here are a few ideas to start your choir's new year in a higher gear!

1. Commission and program new music. Having music written just for them helps a choir to bond and creates a very special connection to the music. Plus, who knows whether you'll be the one to commission the next Sing Me To Heaven!

2. Set goals for yourself. A few years ago for me, it was conduct entirely from memory. Last year it was to have rehearsals without lifting the piano lid. Whatever it is, consciously push yourself beyond your comfort zone.

3. Tell your students about those goals. If they know that you're pushing yourself to be better, they'll be inspired to do the same. Also, sharing your humanness with your students is a great way to connect with them. And it's a great way to stay accountable to your goals... "Mr. Scott, I thought you weren't going to use the piano so much!"

4. Be prepared to be flexible. When The Rockford Aces ended up with some unexpected down time in April and May last year, we didn't slow down...I created a plan to record a studio album, initiated major fundraising, and was able to have a CD Release in June! It wasn't in the plan in September, but I was ready to change direction when I had to.

5. Listen to something beautiful. Ideally, every day. But if you don't have time, please take some time over the long Labor Day weekend to hear something exquisite. Maybe now is a good time to try out Spotify. Fully-on, focused listening can be a total game-changer for me in my day-to-day mood and in my ability to set immediate and long-term goals for my ensemble.

6. Read something that challenges your thinking. Right now I'm reading Choral Charisma by Tom Carter. As a big-I Introvert, I'm loath to share myself the way Tom asks me to...but I am challenged to try his ideas in the hope of becoming a better choral educator. If they don't work forr me, I'm ready to try something else...but right now I'm excited to try!

7. Inbox to Zero. Archive what you need...delete what you don't. Be ruthless and quick. Starting with a clear email inbox will help you get through the digital and back into the musical for the rest of the year. Leo Babauta's ZenHabits.net has lots more great ideas on email maintenance and much more. If you aren't following this blog, start now.

I'm so excited to get back into the groove next week! Good luck as your own year starts.

What are you doing to jump start this school year? Use the comments below to share your thoughts!

A Professional Community

Last week I attended my first MSVMA Summer Workshop in Lansing, MI. It's a much smaller event (maybe 150 people) than the last few conventions I've attended (Michigan Music Conference, ACDA National or Divisional, the old IAJE Conventions). Plus, there were no performing ensembles, only clinics, discussions, and reading sessions. Because of the diminutive nature of the event, I frankly hadn't been to interested in it in the past -- it was this year's headliner (and former mentor to me and Mandy) Joe Miller who drew me to the workshop.

Joe Miller

Joe's presentations were, not surprisingly, fabulous. I had sung in his choirs and watched him work many times in the past, but this was my first chance to hear his perspective and methods in depth and I tried to absorb as much as I could.

More importantly in the long and short run, though, was the sense of feeling part of a professional community. The workshop afforded many chances to sit and talk with fellow choral directors - whether at meals, between sessions, or during late night talks. I can't overestimate the great feeling of having such wonderful colleagues to laugh, complain, and collaborate with. A few of the amazing MSVMA colleagues whom I got to connect with: Shirley Lemon, Doug Armstead, Erich Wangeman, Pat McKinney, Ginny Kerwin, Dennis Blubaugh, Les Rowsey, Brandon Ulrich, Deb Fristad, Kelli Falls, Carrie Hoeksema, Ken Bos...and the list goes on and on! This is a community of AMAZING educators and musicians!

In an episode of Aaron Sorkin's first tv show, Sports Night, a character laments, "More and more we've come to expect less and less of each other." I think that precisely describes the situation of educators, and maybe humanity in general. That's why being around people expecting MORE -- of their students, of their colleagues, of themselves -- is so refreshing. And Joe Miller's running theme, amid talk of repertoire, teaching strategies, and other nuts and bolts, was really a call-to-arms for teaching THROUGH music as well as teaching music.

One of the things Joe talked about was recharging, or as Julia Cameron says, "refilling the well." I refill my creative well with family, books, listening, time outdoors, and making time to stoke my general curiosity about the world. After a few weeks of that, though, I really appreciated the specific recharge of those few days. I came home from this workshop so enthused about starting another school year and taking my students to the next level of music-making. And I feel so blessed to be among such a wonderful group of choral directors and music educators. I'll be back to the MSVMA Summer Workshop (next year, Eph Ehly!) to collaborate, rant, rave, borrow, steal, and get inspired all over again.