We've been thinking a lot about career lately, which is an expected pastime for two middle aged musicians who are sending their oldest daughter off to college this fall! University life seems like it was only a few years ago for us- circling around the practice building at Indiana University, taking lessons with world- class professors, and being inspired by our amazing student colleagues was our normal daily experience. As we reflect on that time with gratitude, we can also see how little we...

During my college years, I remember sitting in a lesson with Mark Sparks, the Principal Flutist of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. We had been working on everything to do with building a consistent and beautiful flute sound. These lessons were transformational for me! Then he said something that intrigued me. " The most beautiful sound on the flute is always the most in tune." At that time, intonation was something that felt like a complete mystery to me! When playing in ensembles or even...

A beautiful, well-developed sound is one of the benchmarks of a truly professional musician. For woodwind and brass players, playing long tones is a necessary and fundamental aspect of sound development. Even in the beginning years of study, teachers will require their students to play long, sustained notes. But how does this discipline actually create a beautiful sound? What happens when you repeat these exercises over days, months, and even years? Is there a point where playing these is NOT...