Summer has often been the time when I plan out the fall season of music for church. Planning has been one of the most stressful tasks of my church work. Trying to find the right balance of old and new music, both easy and challenging for an ever evolving group of singers that also fits with the readings of each Sunday is a challenging process. With plans this year to start a graded children's choir program at Holy Redeemer, I have a new wrinkle to consider, so may not be able to plan as thoroughly as I would have in the past. I suppose I am a farmer trying out a new crop this fall: hoping for excellent results, but uncertain if the conditions will produce the best outcome.

Summer is also the time when many musicians organize their concert season for the next year. While everything is not settled yet, I am looking forward to several fabulous concert opportunities and compositional premieres in the next few months.

Everyone copes with stress differently. I need a certain amount in order to keep me fully engaged, otherwise it's very easy to slack off when the deadlines seem so far away. The unofficial motto of my high school was "If it's not due today, it's not due." While I might not have been the most strict follower of that motto, I continue to struggle under it's influence. This is my public reminder to myself to continue practicing my improvisations, learning repertoire and working on the pieces I already know I need to compose for this fall. It's the patient part of farming that I find most difficult and seems to be most challenging to our instant gratification society.