Books and Print

  • Bennett, Jessica. Feminist Fight Club: An Office Survival Manual for a Sexist Workplace. NY: Harper Collins, 2016.

    In this book, Jessica Bennett, a
    contributing writer at the New York Times, presents a strong argument for the power that women possess to come together and make a change in the workplace environment. Although Bennett focuses on an office context, much of her advice is also applicable to the music business.

  • Colgrass, Michael. My lessons with Kumi: how I learned to perform with confidence in life and work. Boulder, CO: Real People Press, 2000.

    In this novel, Michael Colgrass mixes fiction with innovative instruction and a handy set of tools for performing with confidence.

  • Cutler, David. The Savvy Musician: Building a Career, Earning a Living & Making a Difference. Pittsburgh, PA: Helius Press, 2010.

    David Cutler’s book goes beyond being a simple guide to the music business and tackles deeper issues of how we see ourselves as musicians and how it affects our lives and careers.

  • Duckworth, Angela. Grit: the power of passion and perseverance. Toronto, Ontario: Collins, 2016.

    “In this instant New York Times bestseller, pioneering psychologist Angela Duckworth shows anyone striving to succeed—be it parents, students, educators, athletes, or business people—that the secret to outstanding achievement is not talent but a special blend of passion and persistence she calls ‘grit.’”

  • Dweck, Carol S. Mindset: the new psychology of success. New York: Ballantine Books, 2016.

    Dr. Carol S. Dweck lays out the differences between fixed and growth mindsets, and how we can utilize a true growth mindset to accomplish more.

  • Godin, Seth. Linchpin: Are You Indispensable?. NY: Penguin, 2010.

    In Linchpin, Seth Godin takes on how one individual can make a significant difference.

  • Greene, Don. Performing Success: performing your best under pressure. New York: Routledge, 2002.

    Performance Success lays out a skill set that allows a musician to be ready to perform at her highest level, using energy that might otherwise be wasted in unproductive ways.

  • Hersey, Joanna Ross. “Ten Tips for Tip Top Tuba Mamas: Pregnancy in a Low Brass Performance Career” in The International Tuba and Euphonium Journal, Volume 41, No. 3, Winter 2014, 35-36.

    “If you were worried what other people thought, you probably wouldn’t play the tuba.” Joanna Hersey is patient, encouraging, and always practical in these ten tips for maintaining a low brass performance career through pregnancy.

  • Hill, Douglas. Collected Thoughts on Teaching and Learning, Creativity, and Horn Performance. Van Nuys, CA: Alfred, 2001.

    Professor Douglas Hill covers issues of learning and teaching, audition preparation, and repertoire in this extremely thorough,
    clearly-written volume.

  • McGill, David. Sound in Motion: a performers guide to greater musical expression. Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press, 2007.

    McGill deconstructs what makes music “musical,” with special emphasis on the ideas of Marcel Tabuteau. An excellent aid for phrasing and musicianship.

  • McWilliam, Fergus. Blow Your Own Horn!: Horn Heresies. Oakville, Ont.: Mosaic Press, 2016.

    Blow Your Own Horn! proposes ideas that can help all musicians,not just horn players. Emphasizing airflow, musical thinking, and becoming one’s own best teacher, McWilliam’s book encourages and helps inspire confident, self-directed practice.

  • Ristad, Eloise. A Soprano on Her Head: right-side-up reflections on life and other performances. Moab, UT: Real People Press, 2002.

    Eloise Ristad provides tools for dealing with anxiety, fear, and guilt in performance and in life.

  • Simmons, Jade. Emerge Already! The Ultimate Guide to Career Building for Emerging Artists. Publisher: Author, 2011.

    This eBook by Jade Simmons – a classical concert pianist, author, arts presenter, lecturer, and arts entrepreneur – serves as a handy how-to guide to working and making a space for oneself in today’s music world.

  • Werner, Kenny. Effortless Mastery: liberating the master musician within. New Albany, IN: Aebersold Jazz, 1996.

    Werner gives detailed guidance on building mastery and finding focus.

  • Wooten, Victor. The Music Lesson: A spiritual search for growth through music. New York: Berkley Books, 2006.

    In this fictional tale, bassist Victor Wooten shares wisdom on music and life.

Supported in part through the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance Meta Weiser EXCEL Fund.