-: The number one thing that anyone can do
to learn this craft, I dare not say every craft,
'cause I don't know every craft, but is to do it.
To not say no to an experience.
No matter how small the experience you think is,
take it, say yes.
Conduct the elementary school musical,
conduct the college quartet, conduct, conduct, conduct,
sing in as many ensembles as you can.
And I think 'cause I know the question's gonna come up,
about advice, the best advice that I was ever given
was try it, if it works, do it again,
if it doesn't work, don't do it again.
Art in general,
one becomes a better artist
when you understand what's around you,
when you understand historical perspective
but also perspective on current events.
So stay up to date with who is being wronged,
who is being righted.
Staying up to date with the attitudes of society
and having an understanding of where did we come from?
What's our history?
You know for example we in the choral world
have historically done a lot of spirituals,
both Negro spirituals and non-Negro spirituals.
And performance practice,
if we don't know about the plight
of the Negro throughout history,
we're ill informed to present that.
For the same reason I could say the same about Mozart.
Having an understanding of what was Mozart doing?
What were his surroundings?
What was happening in society in his lifetime?