Come with me on my journey as a composer and clarinetist, with episodes twice a month. After taking the practical route after college, I've recommitted to the musician life. Learn about composing, playing clarinet, and navigating other aspects of being a professional musician. Episodes to air once a month.
Synopsis: Get an intro to the concept of flex band and hear about (and support) my latest project for that ensemble.
“Into the Mystic Earth” commission consortium
"With Joyful Abandon" world premiere by Crystal Lake Community Band
Find Lori’s sheet music at: Sheet Music Plus (affiliate link), JW Pepper, and Sheet Music Direct
Support Tonal Diversions when you shop at Amazon or via PayPalTonal Diversions Websitepodcast@tonaldiversions.com
Synopsis: I reflect on a college performance from many years ago.
Find Lori’s sheet music at: Sheet Music Plus (affiliate link), JW Pepper, and Sheet Music Direct
Support Tonal Diversions when you shop at Amazon or via PayPalTonal Diversions Websitepodcast@tonaldiversions.com
“Russian Christmas Music” (Finale), performed by OSU Symphonic and Concert Bands
OSU School of Music
Crystal Lake Community Band
Synopsis:
Here are a few tips and trick for writing for woodwind instruments
Find Lori’s sheet music at: Sheet Music Plus (affiliate link), JW Pepper, and Sheet Music Direct
Support Tonal Diversions when you shop at Amazon or via PayPal
Tonal Diversions Website
podcast@tonaldiversions.com
Instrument studies for eyes and ears – Jacobs School of Music
Tonal Diversions Music Podcast Episode 2: Writing for Clarinet
Synopsis: Part 3 of Lori’s adventures with Dorico notation software (and NotePerformer). I’ve spent more time with the software and wanted to give an updated episode
Find Lori’s sheet music at: Sheet Music Plus (affiliate link), JW Pepper, and Sheet Music Direct
Support Tonal Diversions when you shop at Amazon or via PayPalTonal Diversions Websitepodcast@tonaldiversions.com
Dorico
Dorico YouTube channel
NotePerformer
Elaine Gould’s “Behind Bars” (Amazon link)
Samuel Z. Solomon’s “How to Write for Percussion (Amazon link)
Synopsis: The latest music projects that have been keeping me busy here at Tonal Diversions.
Find Lori’s sheet music at: Sheet Music Plus (affiliate link), JW Pepper, and Sheet Music Direct
Support Tonal Diversions when you shop at Amazon
Bohemian Rhapsody for Clarinet Choir (audio)
Sneak peek of “With Joyful Abandon” (piano reduction)
International Clarinet Association
Knock on Wood Clarinet Choir
Tonal Diversions Websitepodcast@tonaldiversions.com
Synopsis: This was my second year at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago. A good time was had by all! Find out what I experienced, who I met, and my thoughts on it all. #midwestclinic
Find Lori’s sheet music at: Sheet Music Plus (affiliate link), JW Pepper, and Sheet Music Direct
Support Tonal Diversions when you shop at Amazon
Transcript
Photo album
Proclamation Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic
Joseph Sowa Michael Paul Mitchell
Empowering Female Conductors panelists
Conducting, Composing, and Performing With Disabilities: An Accessible, Inclusive, and Empathic Vision for Neurodiverse Music
When Conductor and Composer Are One
Why Audiences Clap: Creating Exciting and Memorable Performances Through Creativity, Connection, and Communication
Bud Beyer’s “Completing the Circle” (Amazon link)
Brass Band of Huntsville
French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts
John Mackey Julian Bliss
Baylor University Wind Ensemble
Bands of the Air National Guard
Tonal Diversions Website podcast@tonaldiversions.com
Synopsis: Life loves to throw us curve balls. Like getting diagnosed with ADHD in my 40s.
Find Lori’s sheet music at: Sheet Music Plus (affiliate link), JW Pepper, and Sheet Music Direct
Support Tonal Diversions when you shop at Amazon
ADDitude
Why ADHD in Women is Routinely Dismissed, Misdiagnosed, and Treated Inadequately
Why ADHD Masking Is a Form of Self-Sabotage
ADDA
CHADD
Tracy Otsuka - ADHD for Smart Ass Women
What Is ADHD Masking?
How to ADHD YouTube channel
Underdiagnosis of Adult ADHD (HCP Live)
Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS v. 1.1)
Books (Amazon affiliate)
Synopsis: Life loves to throw us curve balls. Like getting diagnosed with ADHD in my 40s.
Find Lori’s sheet music at: Sheet Music Plus (affiliate link), JW Pepper, and Sheet Music Direct
Support Tonal Diversions when you shop at Amazon
ADDitude
Why ADHD in Women is Routinely Dismissed, Misdiagnosed, and Treated Inadequately
Why ADHD Masking Is a Form of Self-Sabotage
ADDA
CHADD
Tracy Otsuka - ADHD for Smart Ass Women
What Is ADHD Masking?
How to ADHD YouTube channel
Underdiagnosis of Adult ADHD (HCP Live)
Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS v. 1.1)
Books (Amazon affiliate)
Synopsis:
I’m sharing my thoughts on writing an artist resume and more as I apply for a state arts grant.
Find Lori’s sheet music at: Sheet Music Plus (affiliate link), JW Pepper, and Sheet Music Direct
Support Tonal Diversions when you shop at Amazon
New England Conservatory tips for writing artist resumes
Lori Archer Sutherland’s Artist Statement
Transcript
Tonal Diversions Website
podcast@tonaldiversions.com
Synopsis:
My husband and I went to band camp for adults! In this episode, find out more about our experience at Birch Creek Wind Ensemble Retreat.
Transcript
Find Lori’s sheet music at: Sheet Music Plus (affiliate link), JW Pepper, and Sheet Music Direct
Support Tonal Diversions when you shop at Amazon
Tonal Diversions Website
podcast@tonaldiversions.com
Photo album
Birch Creek Wind Ensemble Retreat
Part 2 of 2 of Lori’s adventures with Dorico notation software. Here I’ll talk more about using the software and some of the cool things it can do.
Find Lori’s sheet music at: Sheet Music Plus (affiliate link), JW Pepper, and Sheet Music Direct
Support Tonal Diversions when you shop at Amazon
https://www.steinberg.net/dorico/
https://www.youtube.com/c/dorico
Transcript
Tonal Diversions Website
podcast@tonaldiversions.com
Synopsis:
Part 1 of 2 of Lori’s adventures with Dorico notation software. I’ll cover the purchase and installation process, plus some initial thoughts on the program
Find Lori’s sheet music at: Sheet Music Plus (affiliate link), JW Pepper, and Sheet Music Direct
Support Tonal Diversions when you shop at Amazon
https://www.steinberg.net/dorico/
https://www.youtube.com/c/dorico
Transcript
Tonal Diversions Website
podcast@tonaldiversions.com
Synopsis: Part two of a two-part episode. In this episode, I talk about some of the tools I use as a clarinetist. Including a metronome. How on earth did I forget to mention that in this episode?
Transcript
Tonal Diversions Website
podcast@tonaldiversions.com A selection of my music on YouTube
Find Lori’s sheet music at: Sheet Music Plus (affiliate link), JW Pepper, and Sheet Music Direct
Support Tonal Diversions when you shop at Amazon.
Product links:
SoundCorset (metronome app that I forgot to mention!)
TE Tuner
Snark Tuner (Amazon affiliate)
Légère reeds
Eddie Daniels gold ligature
Rovner ligatures
Wiseman Cases
Mobile Sheets
AirTurn Duo foot pedal
Earspasm accessories and ligature video
D’Addario mouthpieces
Backun mouthpieces
Synopsis: Part one of a two-part series about the tools of the trade. In this episode, I'll talk about composition tools.
Transcript
Tonal Diversions Website
podcast@tonaldiversions.com
A selection of my music on YouTube
Find Lori’s sheet music at: Sheet Music Plus (affiliate link), JW Pepper, and Sheet Music Direct
Support Tonal Diversions when you shop at Amazon.
Product links:
Microsoft Surface Pro 6 (Amazon affiliate, but Costco often has good bundles for sale)
StaffPad
Finale
Dorico
AKAI LPK-25 midi keyboard (Amazon affiliate)
Mini Piano Lite
Zoom H2N recorder (Amazon affiliate)
Synopsis:
It’s nearing six months since I left my library job to become a full-time musician. How has this transition been going? What projects am I working on? Find out how “music and life, intertwined” is playing out for me.
Transcript
Tonal Diversions Website
podcast@tonaldiversions.com
Proclamation for horn choir
Shooting Star Ocarina
A selection of my music on YouTube
Find Lori’s sheet music at: Sheet Music Plus (affiliate link), JW Pepper, and Sheet Music Direct (new!)
Support Tonal Diversions when you shop at Amazon
Synopsis:
Musicians are constantly told to go practice. But what does that really mean? We’re not always shown how to practice. There are methods and techniques for practicing that will help you achieve your goals. Links:
Transcript (PDF)
Tonal Diversions Website
podcast@tonaldiversions.com
“I Can’t Play That Run Yet” by Lori Archer Sutherland (PDF download)
Bulletproof Musician by Noa Kageyama
The Art of Practicing: A Guide to Making Music From the Heart by Madeline Bruser (Amazon Affiliate)
Performing Under Pressure: The Science of Doing Your Best When It Matters Most by Hendrie Weisinger (Amazon Affiliate)
Practicing Sucks, But It Doesn’t Have To! Surviving Music Lessons by Phyllis Sdoia-Satz and Barry Satz (Amazon Affiliate)
Many people in the arts are no stranger to self-doubt and impostor syndrome. In this episode, I talk about what imposter syndrome is, what some of the causes are for me, and how I’m trying to deal with it.
Transcript
Tonal Diversions Website
Podcast@tonaldiversions.com
“I have written 11 books but each time I think ‘Uh-oh, they’re going to find out now. I’ve run a game on everybody, and they’re going to find me out.’” – Maya Angelou
“If you have imposter syndrome, you probably are worthy.” – Tunde Oyeneyin
Hidden Brain (Shankar Vedantam) episode: The Psychology of Self-Doubt
Dare to Lead (Brené Brown) episode: Impostor Syndrome
Dr. Valerie Young – Impostor Syndrome Quiz
5 Different types of Impostor Syndrome (and 5 ways to battle each one) by Melody J. Wilding
Psychology Today: Top 10 Fears That Hold People Back in Life by Amy Morin
Roosevelt’s “The Man in the Arena” by Erin McCarthy
Hear about some of the sites now available for composers to self-publish their music. Learn about my own journey with publishing and find out if this route is an option for you. If you’re not a composer, please consider visiting one of these sites for your next music purchase and support an independent composer. We’d truly appreciate it!
Links:
Transcript
Tonal Diversions Website
podcast@tonaldiversions.com
Self-publishing sites:
JW Pepper's MyScore | My music on JWP
ArrangeMe (via Sheet Music Plus) | My music on SMP (affiliate link)
New Music Shelf
Sheet Music Marketplace
Music4Gigs
ScoreExchange
Quick announcement from Lori about the podcast publishing schedule.
Links:
Transcript
Tonal Diversions Website
podcast@tonaldiversions.com
Additional links:
Welder
I went on an adventure to the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago. A good time was had by all! Find out what I experienced, who I met, and my thoughts on it all. #midwestclinic
Transcript
Photo album
Tonal Diversions Website
podcast@tonaldiversions.com
Knock on Wood Clarinet Choir
Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic
Who I saw:
John Mackey
Michael Lowenstern: Website | YouTube channel
Joseph Sowa
Garrett Hope | Ultimate Music Business Summit (Jan 6-8, 2022)
Jessica Harrie | International Clarinet Association
Matt Johnston
Johan de Meij
John Mackey’s “& Friends”:
Minoo Dixon
Henry Dorn
Jeremi Edwards
Jordan Jinosko
Gabrielle Liriano
Allison Loggins-Hull
Lauren Spavelko
I took a big leap! Find out what I did—and what I’ll be doing next with my music. Covering topics from my early and lifelong love of music to my upcoming adventure at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic.
Links:
Transcript
Tonal Diversions Website
podcast@tonaldiversions.com
Blog posts from Tonal Diversions:
Musical Ability and the Perspective of Being a Late Bloomer
From Fearing Writer’s Block to the Excitement of Premieres
Lori’s 7th grade contest solo
Here are some things I've learned about the composing process and how it applies to me. Topics include: what I didn't learn in college, inspiration, bad first drafts, how composers write, and how I'm working to make the process better for myself.
Links:
Trancript PDF
Books on composing and creativity (Amazon affiliate)
Big Magic – Elizabeth Gilbert
The War of Art – Stephen Pressfield
Staying composed – Dale Trumbore
A Practical Guide to Being a Composer – Arthur J. Michaels
Notation software:
StaffPad
Other links:
Tonal Diversions website
Email me!
FaceBook page
Learn tips and tricks of writing for the clarinet, specifically for non-pro (beginner, intermediate, and adult amateur) players. Discussion points include key signatures, the break, large leaps, and trills and tremolos.
Transcript
Visit the website: https://tonaldiversions.com
Orchestration books (Amazon affiliate link) https://tonaldiversions.com/product-tag/orchestration/
Email me at podcast@tonaldiversions.com
FB page https://www.facebook.com/TonalDiversions
Today's topic is writing for beginner/intermediate/non-pro musicians. I'll discuss what influenced me to focus on this group: my experiences in high school district band (and two conductors in particular); a student and her friend who wanted to play a duet for solo and ensemble contest; and how writing for beginners strengthens my composition skills.
Transcript (PDF)
Tonal Diversions Website
Fanfare for Forest and Fable:
Sheet music
Contact me at podcast@tonaldiversions.com or on Facebook
Introducing "Tonal Diversions: Music and Life, Intertwined." In this trailer episode, I introduce myself and the podcast.