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Entering Music

Mistakes

By Stratton Rawson,

Richie English

Published May 15, 2026 at 10:00 AM EDT

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Stratton has a continuing problem. After a lifetime of listening to recordings of great pieces of music that have been made note-perfect, when Stratton is seated at a concert, and he hears a mistake, it really bothers him. In reading the various tributes to pianist Andre Watts after his death, Stratton noticed that each writer mentioned Watts’ appearance on “Mister Rogers Neighborhood.” He was invited to the “neighborhood” specifically to talk about mistakes. Stratton wondered why a pianist would be the person to talk about mistakes. He decided to ask Richie.

Entering Music 2026

Stratton Rawson

Stratton Rawson grew up in the Hudson Valley of New York State midway between the Hudson River and the Appalachian Trail in the shadow of some the oldest mountains on earth.

See stories by Stratton Rawson

Richie English

Born and raised in Buffalo, New York, Richie English has worked extensively as a pianist, teacher, and composer since childhood. He began studying piano at ten years old with Frieda Manes, and within a year was the youngest piano teacher registered with Denton, Cottier & Daniels in state history.

See stories by Richie English

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