Business mindset

Artists are moving away from the era when business was someone else’s job. It **is** possible to be a wildly creative artist AND a develop some serious business savvy. Flex that muscle!

(Hiding out until normal comes back)

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Here’s the problem with hiding out: “What’s normal again?” Can’t remember. And of course, it doesn’t matter much, because as things shut down and eventually open up again, things will be different… again. What we have to embrace is that the newness and strangeness of how the world is changing is OK. Look for the … Read more

Things to do while you’re stuck at home

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For those who suddenly find themselves with time on their hands because rehearsals and performances have been canceled, cabin fever is a danger almost as scary as the coronavirus. Here are a few things that might help you make the most of this time “off”:

Momentum

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“Just because you are committed to moving forward doesn’t mean you have to move at any certain speed. Think about how slowly mountains are made. Think about how islands build up from the sea floor until they finally break the surface. Progress is progress. Keep moving.” — Tweeted 1/7/20 by @maggiesmithpoet (Follow her!)

One guy’s opinion

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One pastor has decided that church musicians should not only play and sing for free, but that they should be condemned if they don’t. This is quite a stretch, and doesn’t hold water biblically, historically or ethically. The online backlash has been considerable, and our own post on the List’s Facebook page has gotten more … Read more

Composer becomes direct publisher: An interview with Amy Gordon

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Lauri had an in-depth chat with Lister composer Amy Gordon, who has recently launched a fully functional store on her website. You can peruse and listen to her compositions as well as purchase as many copies as you need. It’s beautifully built, well-designed and an excellent example of how musicians can take sales into their … Read more

What are you willing to REALLY reach for?

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There’s something about being a musician that makes some people feel helpless, like luck is everything. Quasi-proverbial clichés like “it’s who you know…” and “opportunity knocks” can be misinterpreted as reality checks, and can often feel like slaps in the face. But they should really be calls to action. If you know what you want … Read more

New Music Is the New Black

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(or perhaps the canary in the mine?) Hi, tenor Nathan Granner here. I’ve been singing opera and classical music professionally for over 25 years and producing live shows, tours, recording albums for around 15 years. I’ve seen a lot in my day! Here are some of my thoughts. I’ve been so crazy these past months … Read more

Making it easy to bring music into life

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You may know that I’m a big fan of Jason Kottke and his blogger buddies. They’ve been exploring the phenomenon of “book playlists”, i.e. suggestions for listening while reading specific titles. I’m truly fascinated by the way people use music in their daily lives, especially when it extends beyond the mindless filling of random silence. … Read more

Volunteering as career strategy

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It’s the thing that pros are never supposed to consider, yet sometimes they do — for their own good reasons. Why would you volunteer your time and energy, and what could you get out of it? If you choose carefully how you fill the gaps in your calendar, you’ll find opportunities for growth you may … Read more

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