The Power of a Well-Crafted Program

This week I had the pleasure of collaborating with the organizer of an upcoming Spring concert on the repertoire selection. What a treat! We spent a full hour on the phone shaping the program lineup, piece by piece.

The concert itself is built on a beautiful idea: a combination of piano music and literature, with readings by award winning author Ewald Arenz. Both Ewald and I were born and raised in Fürth, Germany, and even attended the same school. Although our paths never crossed back then, we share many memories—of our hometown, our classrooms, our teachers, and the students who filled those hallways with life.

Our conversation centered on imagining the stage and atmosphere of the evening. We looked closely at each repertoire suggestion I had offered, searching for its connection to the overarching theme: memories of childhood. What emerged was a program not just of pieces, but of moments—musical reflections that resonate with the stories Ewald will share.

This process reaffirmed what I deeply believe: good programming truly matters. Thoughtful curation transforms a concert from a sequence of works into a cohesive experience. It creates an emotional arc that keeps listeners engaged. A well-crafted program invites all of us—artists and audiences alike—not just to listen, but to journey through history, memory, and the imagination behind the music.

In a world full of noise, a thoughtfully curated program can shape meaning, spark curiosity, and leave us changed for the better.

FOR MORE ON THIS READ MY VERY FIRST BLOG: How to choose repertoire