Chris Foley

In order to recall them meaningfully in performance Last week one of my students was having some trouble with memorizing a piece and asked if I had written anything about the subject. As it turns out, quite a lot. For a while I've been wrestling with m...

This week's newsletter looks at memorization, careers, and being present with what's directly in front of us.

Props to @laurastrickling.bsky.social for her short video on how the arts needs to fit into your own life, rather than the other way around.

Finding a Centre of Gravity — Foley Music and Arts Life was so much easier when we felt we were at the end of history and the world could be predictably smooth sailing. But history is back and many of us are struggling with how to process the fast ...

Managing the return of history by focusing on what is right in front of us.

Like the stock market, the value of these traits can rise and fall One of the recurring conversations I've had recently has been about traits in people that are valuable in situations such as at work, with family, or friends. Like the stock market, the value of these...

My latest newsletter is out with music from Liszt and Whine Problem as well as a look at different traits that could be rising or falling in value.

Here's a video of my student Carlos Rojas Rodriguez performing the Etude No. 6 from ranz Liszt’s Grande études de Paganini at The Royal Conservatory’s Mazzoleni Hall a few months ago.

More vs. Less Valuable Traits — Foley Music and Arts What are the traits that are becoming more valuable vs. those that are losing value?  Quarter--Mile looks at this question  and comes up with some personal qualities that are becoming less...

Which personal traits do you see as gaining in value in the coming years? Which do you see losing value?

With a long German name like that, it might pair nicely with a Roterfaden Taschenbegleiter.

Sleem is Whine Problem's Debut EP — Foley Music and Arts My former student Emrys Bourdeau is a member of Whine Problem, a London-based punk band who just released Sleem, their debut EP. You can play the tracks from Bandcamp below; you can also find it on ...

Congrats to my former student Emrys Bourdeau on the release of Sleem, Whine Problem's deubt EP! Apple, Spotify, and Bandcamp locations are on the link.

Safe, curated, non-algorithmic ways to read about cool stuff The last few months have been busy as always, with our studios operating near capacity. My examining route in January took me to Toronto Central at the RCM building on Bloor Street as well as the Toro...

My newsletter is back! Sign up at the bottom of the page on the link. I (mostly) send out updates on Sunday mornings.

The 1898 Toronto Conservatory of Music Annual Calendar — Foley Music and Arts This is an article in draft that I found on my Drafts dashboard that I originally (mostly) wrote well over two years ago but never published. Although I did post the photos on Facebook, I never posted...

A while back I purchased an 1898 annual calendar of the Toronto Conservatory of Music, the former operating name of @royalconservatory.bsky.social. Here's a gallery of some photos from the calendar. There's also a skill-testing question from the 1898 History exam...

Stay Sane With Outcome Orientation Rather than an Information Diet — Foley Music and Arts Navigating the accelerating rate of information that is constantly thrown at us is one of the evolving challenges that every one of us are navigating. Add to the mix the new regime in Washington and i...

We're all inundated with information and it's only going worse. Asking yourself the question of why you're consuming information can perhaps reduce the burnout caused by overexposure, especially with algorithmic feeds on places such as Facebook.

I haven’t published anything on this blog since May 2023 but early 2025 is as good a time as ever to return to it — Foley Music and Arts I want to get back into blogging and I know how to do it. Start simple, start at the level of the blog post rather than planning too much. The goal is output rather than views or stats. That’s no long...

I’ve been blogging since 2005 but was on hiatus for ages. Now I’m back, fountain pen shots and all.

I'm always a sucker for a new and interesting sin. Gotta try this empathy thing more often 😎

Slightly fragmented thoughts in between sips of espresso ☕️

Putting thoughts to paper with a fountain pen is how I like to start every morning. This Platinum 3776 music nib actually came with a dual grind, and the writing here is with the cursive italic back side. Diamine Evergreen is always a pleasure to write with this time of year.

Some advice on How to Weather the Storm, including “create something lovely for yourself or others”, “moderate your exposure to the bullshit”, “find the people who are already doing the work, and follow their lead”, and “join something”. [kottke.org]

Thank you for sharing your story with such honesty and courage. We all need to reflect on the importance of treating all humans with the dignity they deserve.

It’s a brutal cold going around I was down for the count during the holidays and lost my sense of taste for two weeks. Better now, fortunately.

Good luck!

I couldn’t agree with you more. If only university programs taught actual entrepreneurship skills, more musicians would be able to create opportunities for themselves and others.

Between Good and Evil A challenge for Christians in the days ahead

Excellent reflections on Bishop Mariann Budde's inaugural prayer service sermon and reactions to it by @kkdumez.bsky.social, whose book Jesus & John Wayne my Gardner-Webb University School of Divinity history and theology students are reading this semester. kristindumez.substack.com/p/between-go...

On my reading list!

I got so much use out of that book. Meditations for Mortals was also a fantastic follow up.

Nobody has the luxury to be "unpolitical" anymore.

This is important...

www.patrickrhone.net/trust/

In fearful times, turn toward the light - annie's blog Good advice for when you feel lost in your head, panic settling in, is to name tangible things around you. Grip the edge of the table, name it: I feel...

A voice of calm from Annie Mueller.

anniemueller.com/posts/in-fea...

I’m thinking of doing the same thing with Facebook/Insta. One more day until the coming of the darkness.

Today is my only teaching day this week. Grateful as always to be working with so many fine students and colleagues.

Eastman scores Luther Henderson III ’71E, ’73E (MM) has chosen the Eastman School of Music as home for his father’s Duke Ellington arrangements.

Housed in the Ensemble Library at Eastman School of Music are compositions from the legendary jazz pianist and composer Duke Ellington, thanks to a donation by Eastman alum Luther Henderson III ’71E, ’73E (MM)
www.rochester.edu/newscenter/r...