NYFOS@North Fork: Day 5, July 30

Friday is usually the most uncomfortable day of a one-week rehearsal period. By now we’ve done our serious work on the songs, we’ve confronted some obstacles, we’ve had our breakthroughs. Friday isn’t a good day to make any big changes—it’s too close to performance...

NYFOS@North Fork: Day 4, July 29

I have encountered—and mostly overcome—three pitfalls this week as I prepare the concert. The first was a familiar one from other rehearsal periods where I am filling the dual roles of pianist and coach/artistic director. As I devote myself to preparing the singers...

NYFOS@North Fork: Day 3, July 28

In a week-long rehearsal period, Wednesday is usually the last calm day before the wind-up to the Sunday performance. The concert still seems far off, and you feel you can still explore and experiment with no pressure to have a final result. That was not true today....

NYFOS@North Fork: Day 2, July 27

It is a pleasure to work with artists as sophisticated as Nicoletta Berry and Sam Kidd. Each of them has a precociously strong understanding of their voice, a technical toolbox allowing them a wide range of colors and dynamics. With a flick of a larynx they have the...

NYFOS@North Fork: Day 1, July 26

I’ve been anticipating—and fearing—this year’s Orient residency, the eighth NYFOS@North Fork concert. I love sharing the beauty of our little town with my younger colleagues, and it’s always a pleasure to make music for such an appreciative, smart crowd. But I haven’t...