The Musician's Way Blog

“Music expresses that which cannot be put into words
and that which cannot remain silent.”
-Victor Hugo, The Musician’s Way, p. 5

All of us musicians feel something within us that cannot remain silent.

But to forge lasting, full-time music careers, we have to make wise choices about the kinds of work we do and the ways we live our lives. Continue Reading

“For music and service to become your way of life,
you must confront economic realities.”
-The Musician’s Way, p. 299

Aspiring classical musicians commonly study in a context resembling the ancient “master-apprentice” model.

That is, they take lessons from one individual over a span of years and depend on that person to cultivate their artistic, technical, and career skills.

Does that educational arrangement make sense? Continue Reading

“If you’re dedicated to becoming a professional,
you have to prepare to compete in the marketplace.”
-The Musician’s Way, p. 300

Countless young musicians aspire to become professionals, but few understand the music industry well enough to make wise choices about how to grow their careers. Continue Reading

“Music has to be recognized as an agent of social development, in the highest sense because it transmits the highest values – solidarity, harmony, mutual compassion.”*
-Jose Antonio Abreu, founder of El Sistema

American orchestras are contracting as budget deficits compel ensembles such as the Atlanta Symphony to shorten their seasons and cancel concerts. Continue Reading

“If you’re dedicated to becoming a professional, you have to prepare to compete in the marketplace.”
-The Musician’s Way, p. 300

All musicians need websites to present their work to the world and build relationships with fans.

These guidelines will enable you to publish an effective site at low cost and regardless of your facility with technology. Continue Reading

“The most difficult thing about being a musician these days is not talent.
It’s sustainability.”*
–Robert Sirota, President, Manhattan School of Music

As Robert Sirota implies, hordes of conservatory graduates struggle to sustain themselves in today’s music scene.

Some people blame the weak economy, but I mainly fault music faculty for failing to incorporate entrepreneurship education into their curricula. Continue Reading

“One must approach music with a serious vigor and, at the same time, with great, affectionate joy.”
–Nadia Boulanger, pianist and composer (The Musician’s Way, p. 292)

When listeners visit musicians’ websites, they absorb the artists’ personalities via images, media, and bios.

All too often, though, musicians write bios that leave music lovers yawning. Continue Reading

Marin Alsop coaches OrchKids students

“Some of your most gratifying musical experiences
will be those that serve the greater good.”
–The Musician’s Way, p. 299

Whether we’re looking to raise money to support the likes of touring, presenting, project development, or music education programs such as OrchKids, it can be challenging to identify funders and write effective proposals.

The following resources help grantseekers do both. Continue Reading

“To be on stage is to be in charge.”
–The Musician’s Way, p. 179

Take a moment to recall the stage presence of some memorable soloists: Don’t they convey a sense of authenticity and enjoyment?

It may seem that stage presence would be akin to personality – largely inborn. In fact, projecting a commanding presence involves skills that any musician can learn. Continue Reading

“It is not enough to be industrious; so are the ants. What are you industrious about?”
–Henry David Thoreau, author

In a classic episode of the animated comedy South Park, the main characters track down a clan of gnomes who have been stealing the townspeople’s underpants.

The gnomes explain that their actions are part of a 3-phase plan – shown here – that’s guaranteed to bring in handsome profits.

Unfortunately, I’ve found that musicians often pursue comparable half-baked scenarios. Continue Reading