A lot of people describe the baton as a wand, like Harry Potter would use. That’s not true, obviously, but there is some truth to it. The baton itself has to feel like an extension of your arm and body. It’s there to elevate what’s happening inside you, the music you’re trying to create. At first it was intended just to keep time, and it was a long staff. I forget the name of the composer, but he ended up stabbing himself in the foot with it and got a staph infection and died. So they moved from using a long staff to a stick. My baton is crafted out of an African wood. I had it custom-made by This story is from Kinfolk Issue Thirty-six Buy Now Related Stories Music Issue 36 Roderick Cox In Berlin, Stephanie d’Arc Taylor meets the man who makes music move—orchestra conductor Roderick Cox. Arts & Culture Issue 48 Jordan Casteel The acclaimed painter of people—and now plants. Arts & Culture Issue 48 The Sweet Spot How long is the perfect vacation? Arts & Culture Issue 48 Cliff Tan Four questions for a feng shui guru. Arts & Culture Issue 48 Figure Skating with Mirai Nagasu The Olympic athlete has known glory, pain and transcendence on the ice. Arts & Culture Issue 48 Sweet Nothing On the virtues of hanging out.
Music Issue 36 Roderick Cox In Berlin, Stephanie d’Arc Taylor meets the man who makes music move—orchestra conductor Roderick Cox.
Arts & Culture Issue 48 Figure Skating with Mirai Nagasu The Olympic athlete has known glory, pain and transcendence on the ice.
