I Believe That Music . . . 
based upon “The Creed of the Collegiate Chorale” by Robert Shaw

. . . is not a luxury but rather a necessity. Music is a necessity in this world of political, economic, and personal disintegrations not simply because it is “therapeutic” nor because it is the “universal language”, but because it is the persistent focus of man’s intelligence, aspiration, and goodwill.

. . . is always a community enterprise. Its creation is an attempt to communicate, and every performance is an effort to unite the hearts, souls, spirits, and minds of men, even those of different generations.

. . . is one of many forms of art. Painting, sculpture, dance, photograph, symphony orchestra, poetry, and plays are not competitive “attractions” for the public fashion in patronage, but are instruments of a single craft with identical cultural responsibilities.

. . . is peculiarly both a “doer’s” art and a “listener’s” art. Its benefits are in direct proportion to active participation either as a donor or recipient.

. . . is the art and craft of “revealing”, not “interpreting.” It is the performer’s business to get out of the way of music. 

And I believe that the musical instrument and the ensembles in which it participates should assume a position of respect and musical responsibility commensurate with the distinction of its literature and comparable to that of any other professional.

 An Affirmation

I affirm my faith in the little graces of life; the urgency of growth, the strength of laughter, the vitality of friendship.

I affirm my confidence in the dignity of all persons; their fortitude in despair, their strength in weakness, their love in hatred.

I affirm my joy in the experience of living; the fragrance of nostalgia, the scattered moments of delight, the exhilaration of danger.

I affirm my need for others; the offerings of faith, the gifts of variety, the quality of difference.

I affirm my hunger for striving each day to become a better person; the desire for fulfillment, the ache for understanding, the sense of peace.

Practice

Practice your scales, arpeggios, and etudes.

Practice your music to gain insight into someone’s greater intellect.

Practice heightened concentration and coordination.

Practice keeping the inner voice that directs the outer person.

Practice refreshing your sensitivity with sensibility.

Practice renewing the daily fight for the possibility of perfection.

Practice challenging yourself in both small and large matters.

Practice shrinking yourself, to realize the hugeness of faith.

Practice laughing.

Practice loving.

Practice forgiveness.

Practice living.

Favorite quotes . . .

"Joy comes from adventure today. Time to shake the world up!"

 - - Anonymous (fortune cookie)

"Mi violonchelo es mi amigo más viejo y más querido."

- - Pablo Casals

". . . exploring, finding the depth of your own soul and other people's, that's what music is all about."

- - Yo-Yo Ma

 "One ought to be nervous before a performance to some degree, not because of fear of the unknown but because of one's respect for the significance of artistic contribution."

- - Janos Starker

"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive."

- - Gil Bailie

"Education is not to make anything of anybody but simply to open the minds - to go from cocksure ignorance to thoughtful uncertainty."

- - Max Rudolf  "The Grammar of Conducting"

"Education in music is most sovereign, because more than anything else, rhythm and harmony find their way into the secret places of the heart."

- - Plato

    "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind."

 - - Dr. Seuss

Work like you don't need money,

Love like you've never been hurt,

Sing as if no one can hear you, and

Dance like no one's watching.

Live in the moment and Let the moment take your breath away!