Weaving Music Back Into My Creative Life in Greenwood
There’s a particular magic to making music during the holidays. It’s not just about the notes on the page; it’s about the shared breath between musicians, the connection with an audience, and the stories that begin in unexpected ways.
This past Christmas season was a beautiful reminder of that magic. It all started in October at the first Greenwood Chorale rehearsal. That’s where I ran into my friend Judith, a fantastic musician from Winona. We’ve played together for years—in the Greenwood Community Concert Band and side-by-side in the pit orchestra for The Wizard of Oz at the Greenwood Little Theatre this June. Catching up, we decided on the spot to play some clarinet and flute duets for the holidays.
I found some wonderful arrangements by Cindy Blevins, and Judith took the lead on arranging our gigs. We brought our duets to a local personal care home here in Greenwood. The intimate setting was a powerful reminder of art’s immediate, personal impact.
With Judith (flute) and David (drum) before our performance of "Pat-a-Pan" at the Montgomery County Arts Council program.
The highlight was performing at the Montgomery County Arts Council’s Christmas program. We played a spirited rendition of the French carol "Pat-a-Pan," with David bringing fantastic energy on the drum, and a thoughtful arrangement of "In the Bleak Midwinter." (You can watch a clip of our performance below).
The season came full circle as we both sang with the Greenwood Chorale—my first time back with the group since 2014. My return felt especially significant. I had stepped away after my second son was born that fall, and later, the group's necessary 18-month hiatus during COVID coincided with the arrival of my younger boys. While the Chorale resumed its regular concerts in 2021, I was in a season of life focused on my young family and dedicated work with the Greenwood Little Theatre.
Singing Bob Chilcott’s enchanting “On Christmas Night” this year, surrounded by familiar voices, was a powerful homecoming. It was a testament to how creative passions can weave through different chapters of life, waiting for the right moment to resonate again. (A professional recording is forthcoming, and I’ll share it here once it’s available!).
The Connection to Creative Work & Community
You might wonder what a season of holiday concerts has to do with web design and email marketing from my home studio in Greenwood.
For me, the connection is clear. Both my artistic and professional work are about intentional composition and harmony.
Listening First: In a duet, you must listen as much as you play. In design, I start by listening to a client’s story, goals, and challenges. Whether it’s for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Mississippi Delta or a local Episcopal church, understanding the mission is the first note.
Collaborative Harmony: The pit orchestra, the Chorale, the duet—none of them work without collaboration. A successful website or marketing campaign is a partnership between my expertise and a client’s vision, resulting in something neither could create alone.
Creating with Purpose: Every piece of music, like every digital project, is created for an audience. My work is about crafting clear, beautiful, and efficient online experiences that meet their needs, guiding them from a first impression to meaningful engagement.
This season of music, while I now homeschool my three boys (ages 11, 8, and 4), has been a joyful reminder of the importance of creative expression within a full and vibrant life. It refuels my belief that art—whether through a haunting carol or a thoughtfully designed user journey—is fundamentally about human connection.
I’m looking forward to carrying this rhythm of intentional, collaborative creation into my design and marketing projects for 2025.
Do you have a community story that needs to be told online? If your organization is looking to harmonize its mission with a compelling digital presence, let’s talk.
