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.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness month, something near & dear to my heart. Financial abuse is one indicator of an abusive relationship and this can be found anywhere there are people. Thus we become more aware of it, and we act in new & different ways to recover from it and prevent it in the future.

From the organization that doesn't pay on time to the low-balling of honorariums, you've surely seen it all. So have I. I've been paid late, had to request fees actually be paid, been offered i…

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 to be…

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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