A lot of people (yell) talk about culture these days.

That yelling, I mean "talking," is part of our culture.

Our culture is loud. Obnoxiously loud.

Our culture is filled with strife and conflict. People are "always angling for something bigger/better/faster/more."

Our culture is exhausting.

Because conversations happen on a very laser-focused matter, out of context, without thought for the big picture. The big whole-of-everything.

The big whole-of-everything is our societal culture, which…

The tritone is a fantastic interval and it signals something significant: a change, a resolution, an ending, or it signals more mysterious things are ahead.

Tritones need to be resolved. Music theory says so.

So does your ear.

Nobody would like West Side Story if Maria's name were only sung as Maaa-reeeee... Did you sing it in your head?

It has to be resolved.

The tritone is dissonant to our ears, and we want the consonance of the resolution.

This interval used to be referred to as "the de…

The Elm Ensemble has more music to help sustain you this holiday season.

In the Bleak Midwinter, text by Christina Rosetti.

I've sung this song often, most frequently in the past 10 years.

This one is my favorite.

Listen on YouTube

A few weeks ago I had an interview on the Quarantine Phone Calls, which you can read about here. This is my Letter to the World.

Dear Everyone,

My heart goes out to you, whether you're here in Milwaukee or as far away as Iran, Japan, or South Africa. I want to send you courage. Courage to ask for the help you need, courage to face every moment as it arises. Courage to remember that every day is a step in the right direction.

I also want to send you honest. Honesty so you can feel every emotio…

Feel free to download whichever color you like best. Right-click to save the image.

There's a cranberry color, a dark blue and an Irish green one just for Matthew Thompson. Thanks again for having me on your podcast, Matthew!

Singers are usually on very stretched budgets, and now's the time to learn some reeeeeeally cheap recipes that are good now and in other, less interesting times. ;-)

This first one is new to me, the second recipe is for a lentil soup. A client of mine sent me this recipe a long time ago and it's good in all seasons, with different spices, etc. I freeze single portions and

1. Navajo Flatbread

(Found on FB via Joyce Larson and Brandon Johnson)

Navajo Flatbread:
Makes 6

2 cups flour
1 - 1 1/4…

If you know of someone in need of some courage, please share this post with that person.

Wouldn't it be awesome to stand up in front of thousands of people in a packed hall and give an amazing speech saying thank you to everyone who has affected your life and career? And for it to be televised? And then jet off to your next destination, ready to take the stage, film the scene, give the next lecture.

That would be SO COOL.

Just like it would be SO COOL to win a big award like a Grammy. And then people start calling YOU.

That would be so awesome.

And it most surely is so awesome t…

1. Music isn't for kids--it's full of sax and violins.

2. If I told you I loved you, would you love me Bach?

3.

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4. My name is Franz, and you are on my Liszt.

5. If it ain't Baroque, don't fix it.

6. I think your G-String is a bit tight.

7.

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