06/07/2022
Just shipped the last four batons I will be able to make for a while as I am currently singing at the Santa Fe Opera!!
I will still happily speak with you about making a custom baton, but I won't be able to work on any new commissions until the fall.
Happy summer! And if you find yourself in Santa Fe, New Mexico, come see me perform as Bardolfo in Giuseppe Verdi's Falstaff!!
Pictured from top to bottom:
A pair of 23" batons based on a baton owned by A. A. Harding (the first Professor and Director of Bands at an American University, circa ~ 1920's at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign) carved from a single piece of Poplar
15" Koa baton, based on a baton used by Carlos Kleiber
17" Ebony, Holly & Wenge baton with a white-painted maple shaft. (The black and white stripes are meant to represent the owners' favorite baseball team, the Chicago White Sox)
05/15/2022
I have often quipped that:
"My batons will get me to the Metropolitan Opera far before my voice ever does..."
Well, that turned out to be true.
On the evening of Friday the 13th of 2022, one of my batons made its debut in the pit of The Metropolitan Opera in the north American premiere of Brett Dean and Matthew Jocelyn's adaptation of Shakespeare's "Hamlet," wielded deftly by Maestro Nicholas Carter, who, incidentally ALSO made a stellar debut at the illustrious opera house.
I, myself, am not a conductor. And I cannot begin to imagine the skill, artistry and determination required to corral the moving machinery of cast and orchestra into a cohesive performance.... And I was delighted to be in awe of it all for the entire duration.
.....but I CAN make the stick.
...and hopefully, one day soon, my voice will get me there as well. :P
Congratulations to everyone involved on a successful premiere!!
12/14/2021
THRILLED to see one of my batons make their debut conducting the New York Philharmonic!
Handel's "Messiah"
at The Riverside Church in NYC,
led by Jeannette Sorrell and sung by
The GRAMMY award-winning "Apollo's Fire"
with STELLAR Soloists:
Amanda Forsythe
John Holiday
Nicholas Phan
& Kevin Deas
Dec 14, 15, 17 & 18, 2021
tickets are available
at www.nyphil.org
11/29/2021
As a baton-maker, this GIF gives me anxiety....
media3.giphy.com
04/18/2021
A new baton, ready to meet its new owner!!
This 13" Baton is carved from Padauk and Satinwood with Turquoise Resin-stabilized Fiddleback Maple accents!
The colors and shapes of the handle were inspired by one of the owner's favourite colours (Turquoise) and the Padauk and Satinwood bands are meant to represent the flag of their native Canada.
If you would like me to craft you a custom baton, please feel free to send me a message!
01/21/2021
A pair of batons are off to their new home!
I was contacted to make a pair of batons, both 13.5 inches long, one with their school colors (Green and Yellow) and the other, a deep blue because Democracy had prevailed.
The green wood is Resin-stabilized Spalted Ash, and the yellow is Resin-stabilized Fiddleback Maple Burl. The blue handle is carved from a block of both Blue Resin-stabilized Ash and Maple Burl.
If you, or someone you know might need a new baton, please send us a message!
Please wear a mask,
please get your vaccine when and if you are able,
& please stay safe!
04/18/2021
01/21/2021