I won't start a piece until I meet with the person, hear them play and hear what they like.

This is the first time this has happened that I didn't know how [the soloist] sounded.

Now, very few composers write for themselves.

I try to get the personality of the person involved. I like writing concertos because I can tailor the works like a good suit of clothes, to show off the things they do well and that they show off.

I guess I stopped being nervous about shooting during the end of district play. I just figured that I'm a senior. I shouldn't be nervous to shoot. I should be a leader.

Sometimes you play really well and lose anyway, so I am never upset about that.