20. A Podcast Duet: @choralosophy & @choirbaton

This week I’m joined by Chris Munce, podcast host of @choralosophy. This episode highlights our “why” of podcasting in the realm of choral music and so much more. You’ll learn about Chris’s teaching journey to his current school and more on why I’m passionate about showing up in both choir and business. Chris tricks me on the old economics pizza analogy and I learn that his dad has a great beach house in Florida that one day we might be lucky enough to be invited to. I think you’ll find that while different, we’re both serious about not taking ourselves too seriously, while also seeking to grow the world of choral music and conversations around it. Chris Munce is an accomplished choral performer, conductor, educator, clinician and arts administrator.  As a performer he is a member of Kantorei KC, as well as the founder and Artistic Director. Under Mr. Munce’s direction, Kantorei has recorded and published three albums. The Kansas City Star praised “Music and Sweet Poetry” for its “lush and full bodied sound…gorgeous singing” and The Observer (London) called “To Bethlehem” one of the best Choral albums of the year and “the most interesting festive album.” He has also performed with the Simon Carrington Chamber Singers, and the Grammy Winning Kansas City Chorale.  Chris was fortunate to be a part of the Chorale’s Grammy Nominated album, “Rheinberger: Sacred Choral Works.”   Chris received a Bachelor’s of Music Education and a Master’s Degree in Choral Conducting from the UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance.  His graduate research focus was the performance practice of early Baroque choral singing in the French and Italian styles. Chris has studied with Eph Eely, Charles Robinson, Ryan Board, William Dehning, Peter Bagley and Jerry McCoy.  He also served as adjunct faculty at the Conservatory teaching choral arranging, and at Blue River Community College as a professor of voice.  At Lee’s Summit High, Mr. Munce has lead his choirs to performances at the Piccolo Spoleto Festival in Charleston, SC, the Missouri Music Educators Convention, Alice Tulley Hall at Lincoln Center and on a Masterclass with the multiple Grammy Award winning vocal group Chanticleer.   He has been an active private voice instructor since 1999. Chris is married to Beth, a soprano and voice teacher. They live in Lee’s Summit, Missouri with their two children, Clara (10) and Colin (7).Follow @choralosophy on IG, FB, Twitter, YouTube and subscribe to the podcast today!Choir Baton Host: Beth Philemon @bethphilemon | www.bethphilemon.comVisit Choir Baton Online: @choirbaton | www.choirbaton.comChoir Baton Theme Song by Scott Holmes  Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie HemedingerMusic by: Scott HolmesFollow @ChoirBaton onInstagram | TikTok | YouTube | FacebookVisit ChoirBaton.comFollow @BethPhilemon onInstagram | TikTok | YouTube | Facebook | LinkedInVisit BethPhilemon.com