CONDUCTING FOR A GRAMMY WINNER

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!