Click Here to Read: “The First Impulse Was to Write about Music,” a review of the novel Illuminations by Eva Hoffman, reviewed by Michael J. Riesz, in The Independent Book Section on Friday, June 17th, 2008.

From the Music Editor, Julie Jafee Nagel: Career choice begins in early childhood for the musician, who, unlike other highly trained professionals   (e.g., doctors, lawyers) can decide on an occupation at an older age.   This fact has profound implications for mental and social development as the people who wind up at music schools and conservatories start lessons typically in childhood, spend numerous hours alone practicing, and are influenced profoundly during their growing years by parent and teacher attitudes and relationships.  One’s ego develops alongside with one’s talent and object relationships.  By adolescence and young adult years, there is a tremendous ego investment in oneself as a musician, not to mention the dollars spent on lessons and  instruments. Further, the early age at which a young person finds he or she can not only find pleasure in competence at an instrument but also speak nonverbally  through a musical instrument has profound implications for psycho-social development.  The success or derailment of an eventual career for one with talent and for one for whom music has become an integral part of the self has profound  intrapsychic,  interpersonal, and social implications .  Continue reading Book Review of Illuminations by Eva Hoffman and Notes by Julie Jaffee Nagel