How Audrey Snyder Made Me a Better Musician

Audrey Snyder was a bright light in the choral world and beyond. Like so many others, I grew up singing her music and found success programming it once I became a teacher. Her legacy will certainly live on in her music—that goes without saying. After all, everything she wrote was honest and approachable, just like she was. Audrey also played a pivotal role in my own musical life, and I hope that I can keep her memory alive through my work.

The privilege of mentorship from a longtime hero is a gift like no other, and I’ve been wildly fortunate to have that experience many times over. But Audrey was special. She was the very first person to take a chance on me as a choral writer. She said “yes” to this random kid from Connecticut, and I soon found myself welcomed into a very special musical family. She showed me trust and kindness when none was required of her. That’s who Audrey Snyder was.

Working with Audrey was a dream come true. She was my very first editor and modeled what that relationship should feel like. From the get-go, she established a mutual trust with the goal of making my ideas clear and successful. When she sent back my manuscripts replete with notes and corrections, she framed the moment as something exciting rather than scary. She would identify potential hurdles in my music and suggest solutions, always leaving the door open for me to find better ideas. When she felt strongly about making a change, she always explained her thought process in vivid detail so that I could improve my skill set. Forever a teacher, she was a tireless cheerleader for my success.

Through every interaction, Audrey created a warm atmosphere that encouraged ego-free, spirited debate, and she made me feel comfortable voicing disagreements. (I was pretty bashful in the beginning, so I think she wanted to see me take ownership of my work and push back!) She also taught me to discern when compromise is appropriate and when it’s unhelpful—a skill that’s quite applicable to real life, actually! All the while, she held me to a high standard while also being a good listener. “Take heart,” Audrey told me once in her signature prose. “I am taking your comments seriously, and we will work through this together.” She got me hooked on the process and I wanted to learn everything I possibly could from her!

Now, some time has passed, and I find myself in the position of an editor. (!) I think of Audrey often and try to embody her tenets, especially when I work with first-time writers. Composition is a very personal art, and it’s a privilege when someone trusts me to guide the direction of their work. No editor has all the answers, but Audrey set a gold standard for helping others feel empowered by the collaborative process. I know that I became a better musician and (hopefully) a better person along the way.

I’ll look forward to enjoying performances of Audrey Snyder’s music for many years to come. And whenever I hear it, I’ll think of someone who greatly enriched my life just by being herself. In Audrey’s own words, “Give from the heart, because it’s all about the good you do.”