Choralosophy

“We keep data on students, not because we need to measure if they good enough. It’s how we as teachers measure if WE are good enough.” If I can’t show you what they have learned, how can I be sure I am doing a good job? In many educational settings, choral music exists as a … Continue reading "Episode 297: Give Them Tools and Let Them Build Part 6 (Tracking Data For Growth)"

Humans are a musical species. ALL humans. But, many move through their music education without realizing it. We are putting the most vulnerable part of the brain in the hands of overworked people. And that is a problem. Emotionally Intelligent Music Instruction can be part of the solution. This week’s guest dropped a concept that … Continue reading "Episode 296: How to Make a Musician with Allison Wilkinson"

In part five we are dive into the importance of a simple to understand system of vocal instruction for groups of beginners. Many choir teachers say “I am the only voice teacher many of my kids will ever have.” While true in one sense, a choir class is NOT a voice lesson. Voice lessons are … Continue reading "Episode 295: Give Them Tools and Let Them Build Part 5 (Vocal Freedom and Function)"

We are revisiting a topic today to bring in more perspectives. Dave Ritschard teaches choir in Alabama, where they are considering ADDING sight reading to the All State Choir audition. Dave is opposed. Today, we are diving headfirst into a hot-button topic that recently blew up on Facebook: what is the true purpose of an … Continue reading "Episode 294: Reopening the All State Debate. Sight read, or nah? with David Ritschard"

How do you choose your repertoire? Is it the same rubric for every choir? Or does it vary? What’s on your list? Enjoy this short, bonus episode where I was able to squeeze in a short discussion on choral programming with the two guest clinicians at the Kantorei KC Summer Choral Institute. Dr. Clelyn Chapin … Continue reading "Car Thoughts: Programming Considerations with Chantae Pittman and Clelyn Chapin"

What happens when you look at your choir’s packed performance schedule and realize you’ve been teaching the repertoire, but not the actual skills? But aren’t middle school kids too young for a rigorous choir class experience? Besides, won’t it drive them away if we don’t make it an easy A with lots of fun concerts? … Continue reading "Episode 293: Middle School is JUST The Right Age for Rigor with Ryan Lindley"

Have you ever noticed that good pedagogy and the perfect methodology only goes so far? The job of a teacher, conductor or a coach is a complicated cocktail with almost infinitely changing ingredients. The main variables can be found within the groups themselves. In this episode, I’m sitting down once again with Gary Seighman, choir … Continue reading "Episode 292: How to Be A Choir Coach with Gary Seighman"

Should would we reject AI, or embrace it? Or maybe neither? Like all new technologies, there will be problems. Early adopters, and late ones, and some that NEVER get on board. In what areas can AI tools help artists and educators be better at their jobs? But also, which AI tools are a genuine threat … Continue reading "Episode 291: Wrestling With AI in the Arts with Beth Philemon"

Is there even such a thing as “Ethical Gatekeeping?” In modern discourse, the term seems to always be a negative. Maybe some gates need a keeper. Today’s conversation hits incredibly close to home as we pull back the curtain on power dynamics, public perception, and the hidden structures that dictate taste and legitimacy in choral … Continue reading "Episode 290: Ethical Choral Gatekeeping with Samuel Grace"

This episode is GUEST HOSTED by Beth Munce! Our voices continue to change through our lives. This can affect us as directors, but also the singers under our charge. One of the most tumultuous vocal changes outside of the famous “boy in puberty” is the woman’s voice in Perimenopause and Menopause. Since, I have no … Continue reading "Episode 289: Voice Change Isn’t Just for Adolescents with Joanne Bozeman"

Between process or performance. Between our philosophy and our job. Between what’s best for kids and what our colleagues want How do we navigate the conundrum of a performance based institutional system with the “slower at first” tools based philosophy that we know is best for long term growth? How do we convince an administrator … Continue reading "Episode 288: When we are Forced to Choose…"

Part Four are the rhythm tools: Rap the words, Takadimi, count singing. Each have their roles, and particular problems that they help to solve. In this episode, peek into some rehearsals where students demonstrate their tool selection and application. Beat is felt in the body, constructed in the brain, and CAN be taught. Rhythm is … Continue reading "Episode 287: Give Them Tools and Let Them Build Part 4 (Rhythm)"

Part Three is the Solfége or Pitch tool: Give Them Tools and Let Them Build is based on a premise. We are not the music makers. Our students are. So, are we teaching them songs? Or the tools used to build songs? So, what do we do if the students don’t know what the pitches … Continue reading "Episode 286: Give Them Tools and Let Them Build Part 3 (Pitch)"

What can vocal and instrumental music education learn from each other? At what point does specialization become uneccessary siloing of what should be a “music ‘education” profession? Matthew Arau is the guest. Yes… ANOTHER band teacher… Back in January, I accidentally attended Matthew’s session at the recent Missouri Music Educator conference. You read that right. … Continue reading "Episode 285: Teach Choir Like Band. And Band Like Choir with Matthew Arau"

I’ve said for a long time that music education is at a crossroads—but depending on who you ask, we’re either evolving… or we’re missing the point entirely. Are traditional school music programs—band, choir, orchestra—reaching enough students? And if not, why? There’s a growing narrative in music education right now that what we’ve been doing for … Continue reading "Episode 284: Is the Ensemble Model Outdated? With Kevin Droe"

A one of a kind event happened at this year’s convention of the Southwest Region of American Choral Directors. We gathered a panel of thoughtful professionals and an inquisitive crowd of colleagues and had an “unsafe” conversation in public. And what do you know? No one threw tomatoes! Are we speaking a language our communities … Continue reading "Episode 283: Beyond the Buzzwords Live at SWACDA"

Among the more misunderstood, mischaracterized, and confusing topics discussed on this show is Literacy. What is it? What is it not? It’s time to include a wider lens here beyond vocal and elementary general classrooms. Instrumental music has its own pitfalls. Let’s compare notes. Rethinking Music Literacy: Beyond Button Pushing. Finally! Another “music is a … Continue reading "Episode 282: Music Literacy is MORE Than Pushing Buttons"

Part Two of a New Series: Give Them Tools and Let Them Build is based on a premise. We are not the music makers. Our students are. So, are we teaching them songs? Or the tools used to build songs? Who is the hardest working person in your classroom? Spoiler alert: it should NOT be … Continue reading "Episode 281: Give Them Tools and Let Them Build Part 2"

The First Part of a New Series: Give Them Tools and Let Them Build is based on a premise. We are not the music makers. Our students are. So, are we teaching them songs? Or the tools used to build songs? Who is the hardest working person in your classroom? Spoiler alert: it should NOT … Continue reading "Episode 280: Give Them Tools and Let Them Build Part 1"

Is a podcast “real PD?” Is it a trustworthy source of information? What are the best ways to use one? What are the worst? Why do music educators listen? In this conversation, Theresa Hoover, a music educator and researcher who advocates for “passing the baton” to students through a book and podcast by the same … Continue reading "Episode 279: Music Ed Podcasts From the Research Perspective with Theresa Hoover"

Seven years ago, Choralosophy was an experiment. Today, it’s a career. It is a job, no different than your job, albeit a bit more public. Today is the show’s 7th birthday. Here is what I’ve learned: As I hit this milestone, I’ve been reflecting on how the landscape of “online work” has shifted—and how it … Continue reading "Episode 278: 7 Years of Choralosophy from BEHIND the Mic"

An important distinction for young teachers: we want our students to view our class as safe, free and open. But, in order to do this, there must be an “operating system” running in the background. A clearly defined structure, procedures, and yes, rules. (Clutches pearls.) In this conversation, Kevin Lackie joins me to discuss the … Continue reading "Episode 277: Structured Classrooms are Safer with Kevin Lackie"

It can be so tempting for ensemble music directors to fall into a kind of tunnel vision where all roads lead to the “top group” or most advanced ensemble. After all, they are often the ones able to showcase the “culmination” of what our program can do. But this must not be done at the … Continue reading "Episode 276: Your Program Depends on the “Beginners” with Bruce Rockwell"

As much as we would love it to not be the case, Americans still see Black Musicians and make certain assumptions. Black Choir? It must be gospel? Black Band? It must be high steppers and baton twirlers. The issue is not these proud musical traditions. The issue is the box that stereotypes put people in. … Continue reading "Episode 275: The Duality of HBCU Musicians with Dr. Craig Robertson"

When I scroll around the internet, I see more and more examples of great choir rehearsals going on around the world. It’s an exciting time to be a member of this profession! But, it also gives me a sense of how hard we all are working to get sound out of kids. Do we need … Continue reading "Episode 274: Work Less Hard than Your Students"

Pedagogy, it could be argued, is a meaningless academic fantasy if it isn’t proficiently applied. In music, we can do all of the “right” methods. Solfege, Takadimi, count singing etc. But, does it matter if they can’t use it to make music? In this next iteration of the “The First Days of Choir,” inspired by … Continue reading "Episode 273: Applying the Whole Language of Music"

Sometimes as performing artists, we are hyper focused on “the polished finished product.” Tori Longdon creates stunning finished products, but along the way, she is letting people in to see how the sausage is made in warm ups. And people LOVE it. Maybe there is something important there. An insight brought about by the social … Continue reading "Episode 272: In Service of a Singing Culture with Tori Longdon"

Don’t you love it when everything about a performance, and it’s preparation is completely perfect?! Well, it must be nice for you… I am pretty sure this does not exist. But, we can pretend with this new epic poem, “The Perfect Choir.” In this episode, we reflect on the year 2025 and its most critical … Continue reading "How to have “The Perfect Choir”and 2025 Top 10!"

“Education’s Race to the Bottom of the Brainstem,” episode 264 generated a lot of discussion. But, none more productive than this one. This week’s guest did it right. She listened, and let me know that more needs to be said on this. “Can I chime in?” Enter, Dr. Clelyn Chapin Dr. Chapin, a professor at … Continue reading "Episode 271: Responding to the Challenge in Education with Clelyn Chapin"

The Choral Music Art form, AND the economics of the art form are changing. That makes some people uncomfortable. But, others, like Jocelyn and Tim are driving their fair share of that innovation. Jocelyn Hagan and Tim Takach, co-owners of Graphite Publishing, discuss their journey in the choral music industry, the evolution of their publishing … Continue reading "Episode 270: Balancing Tradition with Innovation with Jocelyn Hagen and Timothy C. Takach"

Possibly the most important philosophical divide in music education, and we rarely discuss it outside of echo chambers. A deep dive into the claim that Classical Music is “hegemonic” or dominant. Some music academics operate as if “classical music” sits at the center of cultural power, imposing itself on everyone else in an oppressive way … Continue reading "Episode 269: “Classical” Music: An Endangered Species"

There are some fascinating philosophical divides in Music Education. And we don’t discuss them enough. What does “inclusive” music education really look like? Shane Colqohoun is an instrumental music educator who possesses a rare super power. He can recognize areas where he both agrees AND disagrees with the philosophies of others, and is not scared … Continue reading "Episode 268: More Music for More Students with Shane Colquhoun"

Young teachers bailing from the classroom within the first 5 years is an epidemic. Many things contribute to this, but one factor is the expectations young teachers bring in. Are they always realistic? Mitch is a young conductor and teacher who believes, in his own words, “that he sucks dog-water” at teaching. So, two years … Continue reading "Episode 267: The Choir Teacher that Sucks with Mitch Al-Ubaidi"

“We need to go beyond compliance in evaluations.” How many teachers experience administration in their classroom for the purpose of understanding their day to day, rather than to check a box? Justin Baeder advocates a different approach. “Tradition often hinders innovation in education.” Teacher evaluations not only create unproductive incentives, but rarely result in meaningful, … Continue reading "Episode 266: Leading with Intention with Dr. Justin Baeder"

Hey I didn’t say it… But some think it. We are Better Conversation Activists here. And this episode is a CALL TO ACTION! I want to hear from you about what topics you want next in year 7! In this episode, we call for YOU to be more vocal in the platform’s discussion, and discuss … Continue reading "Episode 265: What’s Next for the Most Dangerous Choir Podcast?"

I did not coin this phrase. I borrowed from former Google Exec Tristan Harris. Social media companies are trying to outcompete the others for attention by appealing to ever more primal drives, dragging human cognition “down the brain stem” instead of cultivating critical thought. Is Education falling into the same trap? On Facebook, X and … Continue reading "Episode 264: Education’s Race to the Bottom of the Brain Stem"

‘If we see that this is a beneficial thing for our kids, then that’s my burden of responsibility as a parent to make sure that my kids are doing that regardless of the amount of whining or complaining to the contrary.” In this conversation, Marianne Forman shares her journey as a composer and musician, discussing … Continue reading "Episode 263: Parents As Key Players in Music Education with Marianne Forman"

Group vocal tips, and singing instructions can be a mine field. Every voice in the room is different. It really is possible to say things in a choir rehearsal that helps one singer gets better, while making ten worse. Let’s be careful! This episode is sourced from a recent professional development I gave for Wentzville, … Continue reading "Episode 262: How to Avoid Making Our Singers Worse"

The name “Jo Michael Scheibe” has been known to many in the world of choral music for decades for more than just the sound of his choirs. The Jo-Michael Scheibe Choral Series is one of the richest and most thorough curations of the art form available. Choosing repertoire can often be a “needle in a … Continue reading "Episode 261: The Art of Programming with Jo-Michael Scheibe"

Many choir directors share warm ups and other activities in the form of video clips. But few have gained as much traction as Jonas Rasmussen. Tune in to find out why, and to go behind the scenes and in depth on these awesome exercises! You may know him as The “Choir Conductor” on Instagram. In … Continue reading "Episode 260: The World is Your Chorister with Jonas Rasmussen"

Much is said about gender disparity and imbalance in the Arts and Education. But, this week, our guest gets personal by sharing some specifics. The microagressions of a male-dominated profession. In this conversation, Dr. Nicole Mattfeld discusses her experiences as a female choral conductor, highlighting the challenges of gender bias, societal expectations, and the impact … Continue reading "Episode 259: But You Don’t LOOK Like a Conductor with Dr. Nicole Mattfeld"

What is the POINT of a solid, well installed, Choral/Vocal Pedagogy for young people? Why does it matter? Just to make good performers? Or is it something deeper… The episode is the sixth part of a series titled “The First Days of Choir,” inspired by Harry Wong’s educational text “The First Days of School.” In … Continue reading "The First Days of Choir Part 6: Installing a Personhood Curriculum"

“Everything in my music journey was my own drive… I actually love this.” Shruthi’s story of “falling in love at first sight” will inspire you. In this edition of the Oxford Series we explore the vibrant fusion of Carnatic and Western classical music through the eyes of a composer who crafts her identity into every … Continue reading "Episode 258: Crafting Identity Through Music with Shruthi Rajasekar"

Even when all the plans are best laid, we sometimes miss. How do we reflect and redirect before we lose the whole school year? The episode is the FIFTH part of a series titled “The First Days of Choir,” inspired by Harry Wong’s educational text “The First Days of School.” This particular episode, part five, … Continue reading "The First Days of Choir Part 5: Voicing, Reflecting and Redirecting"

Ananya has made music in many places around the world, and she believes that “choir is everywhere” and for everyone. This week, I am discussing music with a unique guest for this show! Ananya Venkateswaran, is a 17-year-old choral High School Student in Abu Dhabi, UAE. She shares her unique experiences as a “third culture … Continue reading "Episode 257: Music is My Language with Ananya Venkateswaran"

A an honorary addition to the “First Days of Choir Series” could not have been more serendipitous. In this episode, the two researchers and I delve into effective strategies for teaching musical expression with experts Craig Hurley and Rebecca Atkins. We explore how integrating expression from the start can transform choir performances, and learn about … Continue reading "Episode 256: Teaching Expression from Day One with Craig Hurley and Rebecca Atkins"

“In an effective classroom, students should not only know what they are doing, they should also know why and how.”- Harry Wong. In this episode, we delve into the critical role of repertoire selection in shaping music education. Discuss with me how the right choice of music can inspire, challenge, and elevate both students and … Continue reading "The First Days of Choir Part 4: Repertoire with Intent"

“Assessment continues learning,” -Harry Wong. When we are making decisions about what gets “graded” it is important first to decide, “what is crucial?” This list might be different for all of us. But if it isn’t crucial, don’t grade it. Audience members Bruce Rockwell, Chy Billings and Laura Huizinga feature some of their “First Days” … Continue reading "The First Days of Choir Part 3: The Feedback Cyle"

We often say we value diverse voices in the choral world, but programming habits don’t always reflect that. What are the biggest structural or cultural barriers still keeping women composers under-programmed? We say we want a more inclusive choral canon—but for too long, women composers have been treated like a sidebar or a “special item … Continue reading "Episode 255: Uncovering the Overlooked with Hilary Apfelstadt and Alan Davis"

“It could be dangerous to teach the way you were taught.”-Harry Wong. Research is not something only scientists do. Businesspeople do research; so do baseball players, chefs, plumbers, lawyers, dentists, artists, and actors. Students, when they write term papers, do research. To search and search and search, over and over again. That is why it … Continue reading "The First Days of Choir Part 2: The Power of Infrastructure"