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Below are links to a series of essays on subjects which are important to me and to which I’ve given some thought. Some are overflowing with opinion about the state of the topic in question (Jazz, Commercial Music, Musicology and Music Education), while the others are meant to be more informative (Brass Playing and Drum Corps). Feel free to contact me with any thoughts and don’t be surprised if the essays are changed or amended as time passes and my opinions evolve. I like to fancy myself something better than a "ranter" (particularly since Dennis Miller's gone 'round the bend and is just to the right of Attila the Hun these days), and I hope the essays qualify as more than simply the ramblings of an, at times, angry man. I've tried to communicate as openly and honestly as possible with the intent that the views expressed will at least be interesting and thought-provoking. I fully realize that some of my ideas may be disagreed with violently - that's perfectly all right and a good first step from my perspective. It would be a wonderful thing if we could have, as a society, the collective bravery to turn a corner, have a national (and international) conversation on the human condition and experience and, perhaps, actually reach some conclusions. It won't happen - we're probably not ready as a species for anything like that, but damn, it would be great, wouldn’t it? . The essays share what I recognize to be a possibly unorthodox perspective in that I find great virtue in plainspoken statements - the language and vernacular of ordinary people (it's why I've become such a fan of the communicative skills of great newspaper columnists and the best stand-up comics). While that, by itself, isn't so unusual, I simultaneously believe that challenging yourself intellectually is something we all should at least be trying to do to a far higher standard than most of us are (and with a lot less shame - many people remain deeply uncomfortable and distrustful of an in-depth thinking through of issues in a culture that fears excellence when it doesn't have the official sanction of the media). The second half of the equation can make one get a little strident and a bit elitist, but my goal is to find the necessary common ground between these two seemingly incompatible ideals within the same essay. I don't claim to be the deepest thinker, but I would suggest that those who are have a greater responsibility to be heard in the arena of ideas. Since that public trust is often failed, perhaps it is only fitting and fair that those tempered by a more ordinary experience utilize the internet (the great democratizor) to challenge whatever intelligentsia still exists so that an unfettered debate can take place in earnest. Hey, kids, I'm just trying to do my part.
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