In the September/October issue of Clavier Companion, my wife, Julie Jaffee Nagel, wrote an eloquent column entitled "Retirement." When it appeared, she showed me the article and asked me to read it. I did, and it was not long before I started to develop a large lump in my throat. At the end, when I read the dedication in context, I had tears in my ...

Imagine this: for many years you and your students have created many personal memories and memorable musical moments. You have contributed to your profession and felt emotionally enriched and, sometimes, financially rewarded. You have established a home, found a satisfying personal and family life, and planted roots in your community. You have atte...

When we're in our twenties, fresh out of school and getting a career off the ground, we have all the time in the world. When we reach our thirties, many of us are busy balancing a job with family. We're busier than we've ever been, either reaching for the next career plateau or taking a completely new direction. We think that there will never be an...