Welcome

Welcome to our new weblog. Mike Thomas and Robert Shearer (that's me) will be writing about our explorations and experiences with what I call "Great Music", what most folks refer to as classical and jazz music.

Our short list of qualifications is as follows: we have none. Neither of us are musicians, nor do either of us currently play an instrument (although I have played woodwinds and guitar in the past, and I can tell you the name of the keys on a piano). However, like many people we are great music enthusiasts, and have an interest not only in the music, but also in the people who compose and play great music.

I think we can bring a unique outlook to great music. While we were high school buddies (and debate partners - you have been warned), we have taken different paths. Mike lives in Texas with his beautiful wife, a very charming son, and a cat which is my sworn mortal enemy, and works as a journalist. I live in Vermont with my beautiful wife and a very gregarious dog, and am an electrical engineer and computer scientist.

Texas is a very big place. Vermont is a very small place. It's amazing how much the two states have in common like that. But I digress.

It is our goal to make at least one entry a week.

We each have other weblogs that we write, but this is our first collaborative effort. If you have any curiosity about classical music and/or jazz, I hope you will find this an interesting place to visit.