On the road again

I have been traveling a lot lately, going to my offices in Sewanee to plan the festival, giving clinics and classes at schools and university programs, guest conducting etc...
And it makes me think - how you spend your time on the road is really critical
We do not often talk to our students about this aspect of the job - flights, hotels, late dinners at ruby Tuesday’s ( where I am currently sitting).
We don’t tell them much about working early mornings in hotel rooms to get rehearsal schedules out, or updating your blog from a bar..
Quite a a bit goes into the wacky music career - often things we don’t even think about at the time. But so much of what we do as musicians is about being out there, in the business, doing things. But then, you have to balance the doing with being home - practicing and working in your own city. I think a lot about how I use my time and try hard to manage the trips so that they make sense, professionally.
I’m excited to head off to Music for All later this week, which no doubt will offer it’s own challenges and opportunities. The groups will be great and trying to give them feedback will be exciting. Looking forward to hanging with good friends and sharing great ideas ( and having a least a couple of good meals in Indy!)
So get out there - but think about what you are doing and ask yourself - is this relevant?? Is this moving me forward ?
If it is, go for it - if it isn’t. Go home and practice, hang with your significant other - it’s not worth being away just to be away ....