Stones of Hope: Part I

Traveling can have a great effect on the soul. Getting away from your routine can help you see your life from a distance. You might find that you come away changed, strengthen and uplifted. It is with great hope that I write to you. Great hope that we all will be able to travel soon….

Voices

This blog is to be used as a listening guide. The steps I have listed below are an example of the type of process I might use when I write about art and music. I have put this method down to specifically be used by a musical discussion group I lead on Wednesday night but…

Lighthouses

Since we recently considered Bridges, I thought it would be appropriate to continuing thinking on these simple kinds of images. In this way, I have drawn strength and gained God’s wisdom. I hope you will join me. We are keepers of the light. Just some sketched thoughts about LIGHTHOUSES AND LIGHTHOUSE KEEPING. They are towers…

Bridges

I love this painting. It has always been a part of my life because my mother had a reproduction of it on the cover of a cookie tin we got for Christmas one year. High Art! And so it has always been a treasure among her things. Vincent van Gogh must have been captured with…

Communing with the Divine

Upon reflection… certain scenes fully experienced, can be imprinted on your soul. In the immediate aftermath you might detail the guest list or go over the challenges that arose…those who arrived late; the pages that blew off the stand spoiling the perfection of the music. But then time sifts your thoughts and you remember most…

Mysterious Waters

This week I have been attracted to the idea of pilgrimage. I say this because I was drawn towards a book that I own called The Art of Pilgrimage by Phil Cousineau. I have read the book before and I remembered really loving it. As I pulled it out of the stacks and glanced through…

Follow the Leader

As a Dad I get pretty worried about how I’m doing. I wonder if I’m equipping my kids enough to inherit the every increasingly scary world that’s outside our door.

Music that Binds Us Together

In every class I teach, at some point, I will play Bach’s prelude for cello. It is one of my favorite pieces of music and I have found that it is a good way to introduce Bach to young listeners. I believe it is because this music really speaks to the heart of who Bach…

Elgar: The Poet

This performance of British composer Sir Edward Elgar’s (1857-1934) String Serenade in e minor features the string section of the Concertgebouw Chamber Orchestra playing some of the most celebrated string music of all time. I really enjoy watching string players as they pull the bow across the strings and their instrument becomes an extension of…

Edvard Grieg: The Time Traveler

Join me for this musical Downton Abbey