Concord’s Post

Last night I had the chance to hear one of the greatest Tango composers and pianists of our time, Julian Peralta, speak about what makes this music so extremely precious and unique. And of course as a proud Tango nerd, I was intrigued, and throughout the lecture, my mind kept going back to Leadership Lessons in Liberal Arts. So, here are a couple of nuggets: 1. Tango is the product of a confluence of musical cultures coming together due to voluntary and involuntary immigration. It is based in Afro-Peruvian, Atlantic, and numerous European influences converging and evolving in Buenos Aires. The lesson for leaders: Innovation requires diversity. There is no way around it. The most incredible and lasting work comes from bringing together influences from across the world. 2. Tango, unlike most other genres of music, is unique in that it is not confined to a choreography or a set structure by dancers. In most of Folklore (popular music) or Ballroom (classical music), there are some fixed routines or steps to be followed. This means the music is bound by time or rhythmic structures that allow for those choreographies to be practiced. The improvisational nature of Tango as a dance, allows the music to evolve over time and creates the space for something like Contemporary Tango to continue in it's evolution, even today. The lesson for leaders: If you want to keep growing and evolving, examine your rituals and habits. If you are holding onto practices because that is how they have always been done, then the amount of change/innovation will always be limited to that which came before. True change requires a more dynamic set of relationships in which change can lead to progress. 3. Tango as a music benefited immensely from 'division of labor' or 'specialization'. There are people who went deeply into specializing on an instrument, like the piano, violin, or bandoneon. There are people who solely arrange music or write lyrics. This specialization means you have people who are the absolute best at what they do, focused on bringing the top talents together. Leadership Lesson: This is not a new one. It's Netflix' sports analogy to building high performing teams. But for those not as sports minded, it can also be seen in an orchestra. Simply put, bring together high performing talent. Maybe more subtle, but what I also love about this is define roles/responsibilities clearly. A violinist is ultimately solely focused on playing their part. They rarely feel the need (nor have the skills) to jump into the lane of a pianist, while the two may play together beautifully. Especially, with high performing teams a sense of clear ownership around roles & responsibilities allows each person to thrive in the team setting and leads to success, together. Made it this far and want to hear some contemporary Tango?! Here is a taste of Julian Peralta: https://lnkd.in/ei6h8ayu

Robert Johnson was an American blues musician and singer-songwriter, who is widely regarded as a master of the blues and one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. He is also considered one of the most important blues singers and guitarists of all time. Check out this article to learn about the life and legacy of the legendary Robert Johnson. #RobertJohnson #Blues #music #bluesmusician #musician #singer #songwriter #guitarist #arthinkal #arthinkalmagazine #substacknewsletter #substackwriter

Happy Easter to you all. I did 12 different drills for this short section of this song ‘Bless the Lord (Son of man). This is Drill 1. Dm me to order for the full breakdown including the mid files, sheet music and piano chords. Enjoy! 😊 https://lnkd.in/dNc6cMxZ #Reharmonisation# #Arranging# #Harmony# #Chordsubstitution# #Secondarydominants#

Great talk! Knowledge is power.

"Holding Higher Music Ed together" may be the understatement of the year. With the exception of a few bastions of forward thinking, Collaborative Piano is historically an afterthought in many music schools, particularly for vocal music. The people who hold these positions in the vocal world are working from a knowledge base exponentially larger and more varied than any that surround them. More training, endless study, more expertise. Underfunded, understaffed, overworked, outsourced to much inferior technology, a career path with one of the highest potentials for being fully employed as a musician, but often denigrated by some faculty; and yet without them in the vocal world at least (often the most populated division in a school of music!) there is...nothing. Nothing, for any of us. The talent pool is getting more shallow by the day for those who can play masterfully, keep a VAST catalog of repertoire at hand, understand the needs of multiple genres, be fluent in languages and diction, and have the mindset of eternal growth necessary to adapt to the needs of each generation of singer. The people who can do this are eaten alive in every situation they exist due to pure need, and yet...where is the funding to support them? As a result, more and more overly simple repertoire is being assigned to singers that requires less from the pianist (if a living pianist is used at all), which results in under-trained singers. Newly composed music is being neglected due to difficulty, and the skills needed to perform that kind of repertoire are desperately needed to keep up with what is being presented on today's stages. What kind of model is being provided to students with potential for this deep-knowledge, high-expertise track, when they see those currently in it being crushed by the load for little return? This is the result of decades of devaluing this crucial role in the musician's pantheon. Why would anyone want to enter this career track when their contributions are not seen as important enough to fully fund, at a level where loads can be reasonable? Gratitude and acknowledgements do not keep the lights on, nor do they keep a person healthy enough to carry on with excellence and willingness. For a person to have the expertise and skills to perform this role, and then to have them simply give up on their excellence or even their entire career due to exhaustion and lack of support, is criminal. That is happening. It's happening right now. Read this book when it comes out please. Thank you Kathy Kelly, for your labors, in all your spheres.

DO NOT MIX BUSINESS WITH MARRIAGE UNTIL YOU’VE READ THIS! Collaborating with your spouse can be one of the most rewarding experiences, but it requires a thoughtful approach to ensure both professional success and personal harmony. Gabrielle and I have had the privilege of blending our creative talents, and it’s taught us a lot about maintaining a strong partnership both in and out of the spotlight. Here are a few key strategies we’ve found essential: 1. Clear Communication: Establish open lines of communication to align on goals, expectations, and roles. This clarity helps prevent misunderstandings and keeps the focus on your shared vision. 2. Respect Boundaries: It’s crucial to differentiate between personal and professional time. Set boundaries to ensure that work discussions don’t overshadow your personal relationship. 3. Leverage Each Other’s Strengths: Understand and appreciate each other's unique talents. By playing to your strengths, you can create a powerful synergy that drives both personal satisfaction and business success. 4. Mutual Support: Encourage and uplift each other, both in successes and challenges. A strong support system is the foundation of a successful partnership, especially when navigating the pressures of business. Working with your spouse is a journey that requires patience, respect, and a shared commitment to growth. When done right, it’s a dynamic partnership that can lead to extraordinary results—both professionally and personally. How do you balance business and personal life with your partner? Let’s discuss! www.TheStripedHeart.com

Visiting a part of the world with a vastly different political system and culture was eye-opening. Besides singing, one of the most striking experiences was browsing Chinese web browsers and news sites and noticing the state propaganda around the city. The way current events were presented, often with a much more positive spin, was interesting. While I strongly oppose mass surveillance, I was surprised to see an unexpected benefit: the freedom cyclists had to leave their expensive bikes unattended without fear of theft. Although I believe this advantage doesn't outweigh the significant human rights concerns, it did offer me a glimpse into another perspective. Finally, seeing the Great Wall of China, which dates back to the 7th century BC, offered some timeless lessons. The sheer size and endurance of the wall showed me just how far civilizations will go to protect themselves, both physically and psychologically. The wall wasn’t just a physical barrier; it was also a psychological one, sending a message of strength and deterrence to potential invaders. It drove home what I had seen throughout Beijing - that sometimes the perception of power can be just as important as actual power. The wall also made me think about the downside of isolation. While it provided security, it also symbolised a desire to keep out external influences, which, over time, led to stagnation and, eventually, the wall falling into disrepair. This had a negative impact on the Chinese economy at several points in history, even contributing to the collapse of some empires. So, while barriers can protect, they can also limit growth and exchange—something that feels like a perfect analogy for my first year at Kings.

🎵 Check out our latest blog post featuring the 10 Best Cat Stevens Songs of All Time. Dive into the timeless classics of this British singer-songwriter, also known as Yusuf Islam, and immerse yourself in the soulful voice that has left an indelible mark on the music industry. Click the link to explore the musical genius of Cat Stevens: [10 Best Cat Stevens Songs of All Time](https://ift.tt/X2mRL4z) 🎶

Three Reasons To Love Drummers. #shorts #stevesmith #ianpaice #alexvanhalen #drummers #rock #music Here are 3 drummers who deserve your love: 1.Steve Smith. Amazing double bass mastery, brilliant syncopation and absurdly crisp tonality. He literally attacks the drums using natural jazz tendencies and outrageously good durability. Maybe the most underrated drummer period. 2. Ian Paice. He literally introduced double bass to rock and metal, influencing half the planet's drummers in the process. His blistering speed on the snare drum is only rivalled by the legendary Buddy Rich and he's the perfect fusion of technical skill and soulful delivery. A true living legend. 3. Alex Van Halen. Fused his love of John Bonham and Ginger Baker using huge sticks and jazz roots to become one of the best in the business. His snare tone was instantly identifiable and evolved with every version of Van Halen. Suppressing jazz chops to capitalize on chemistry with his mercurial guitar god brother, now that's a real champion.

🎶 Check out this incredible blog post listing the 10 Best Bob Dylan Songs of All Time! Bob Dylan's impact on music history is undeniable, and this post explores his groundbreaking and influential songs. Follow the link to dive into the musical legacy of this towering figure: https://ift.tt/csfuvHi