It’s been a busy couple of weeks, winding up my corporate career. This week, I’ll formally begin my new life as an entrepreneur. And, in a strange way, my musical life has been the better for it.
It’s not that I’ve been practicing more; if anything, I have had much less time to practice. Continue reading
Filed under Inspiration, Personal Journey
If you weren’t there, I don’t know how to describe what it was like.
The Motor City Festival of Bands concluded Sunday with 294 musicians on the stage, under the direction of Leonard Slatkin. Dozens of clarinets, six bassoons, at least a dozen percussionists, and more brass than I could identify. When the first piece began during the finale, even pianissimo filled the Dearborn Performing Arts Center with an awesome sound. And when they broke out into full fortissimo, there’s no wonder that Leonard Slatkin was left breathless and said, “It’s kinda scary up here.” Continue reading
Filed under Events and Calendar, Inspiration
This week, I announced plans to leave the employer where I have spent the last 20 years, to begin a new chapter in my career. My intent is to go into business for myself.
It’s a leap of faith. Continue reading
Filed under Personal Journey
Thanks to Raymond Murphy from Motor City Brass Band for providing these new additions to our *Places to Play* links: Continue reading
Filed under Events and Calendar, Opportunities to Play
From time to time, Chuck and I do encounter interesting people. What makes them special is that they have taken a leap of faith which has propelled their lives in new directions, often at midlife. Continue reading
Filed under Inspiration, Returning to Music
Barry Douglas
Chance encounters can change your life. That’s what happened to me when I encountered Barry Douglas, almost by accident.
Barry Douglas is a world-class pianist from Ireland, who skyrocketed to fame in 1986 when he captured the gold medal at the Tchaikovsky piano competition. Continue reading
Filed under Inspiration, Musicians of Note, Personal Journey
There’s an important difference when you come back to music in midlife compared to when you were in school. The point now is to do it for fun. At this point in our lives, it should not be a competition. Continue reading
Filed under Opportunities to Play, Returning to Music
The Motor City Brass Band distributed a news release today about an upcoming Festival of Bands. This event does two things I think are important. It helps facilitate communication and coordination between different organizations, and it pulls the Detroit Symphony into a leadership role with community and amateur music groups.
Here are the details: Continue reading
Filed under Events and Calendar, Musicians of Note
Midlife Musicians 