Last month, the choral world lost a giant, and my alma mater lost one of it's storied leaders. Robert Page was without a doubt the patriarch of the world of collegiate and professional choirs. In addition to his tenure in Pittsburgh at Carnegie Mellon University and the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh, Page was the Director of Choral Activities at Temple University from 1956-1975. I only had occasion to meet him once at Temple University alumni event, and though later in life, he still seemed his fiery and candid self. His honest way of communicating, while off-putting to some
​was always a strength in my opinion as it made him

This past Thursday evening, I had the honor of conducting in a masterclass for Grammy award-winning music director Charles Bruffy in Northern Virginia. The choir, made up of choral conductors from throughout the mid-atlantic region, was assembled as part of summer festival held at George Mason University. I was (for at least twenty minutes, anyway) immersed in Mr. Bruffy's world of eccentric inspiration and feeling as I led the choir  through the Rene Clausen classic, All that Have Life and Breath Praise Ye the Lord. As he coached me, the thing that I found most inspiring was his ability to create artistry between the notes, in every connection, consanant, and silence. Bruffy, the charismatic leader of the Kansas City and Phoenix Chorales most recently won music's top honor for his recording of Sergei Rachmaninoff's All Night Vigil. From mentor to ensemble, an all around great experience!