Masters of the Musiverse

🎶 In this episode of The Music Office, I sit down with composer Kelijah Dunton to talk about his unique voice in the band world, his commitment to creating music with students in mind, and more.Kelijah is an inspiring voice in the next generation of wind band composers, and this conversation is full of insight for educators, students, and fellow composers alike.🎼 Learn more about Kelijah Dunton:https://kelijah.com/🏫 Learn more about the Third Street Music School:https://www.thirdstreet.nyc/🌐 Website: https://musicofficepod.com🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@themusicofficepod🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5kO70ZOMVF2JBvWXICI6Ya📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/musicofficepod📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musicofficepod🐦 X: https://x.com/musicofficepod🛒 TpT Store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/the-music-office-pod💬 Like, follow, and share to support music educators everywhere.#TheMusicOffice #KelijahDunton #BandDirector #ComposerInterview #MusicEducation #DiverseComposers #WindBand #MusicEdPodcast👇 Stay connected with The Music Office:

🎉 Welcome to The Music Office!Big news—I’m rebranding the podcast! Formerly known as Masters of the Musiverse, this channel and podcast now has a new name and fresh energy: The Music Office.Why the change? I wanted a name that truly reflects what this space is all about—a welcoming “virtual office” where music educators can gather, share ideas, discover new tools, and get inspired. It’s where I brainstorm for my own teaching, and now I’m inviting you to pull up a chair and join me. ☕🎶In this video, I talk about:✅ Why I moved away from Masters of the Musiverse✅ What inspired the new name and theme✅ Exciting plans ahead (tool reviews, AI discussions, and more!)✅ A sneak peek at this week’s guest: the amazing Kelijah Dunton🎧 The Music Office is here to provide accessible, helpful content for music educators—whether that’s interviews with inspiring teachers and composers, or reviews of apps like StaffPad, forScore, and Tonal Energy.💡 Join the conversation!👉 Subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes.👉 Share this video with fellow educators.👉 Follow our new social media accounts for even more updates.👉 Got ideas or people you’d love me to interview? Drop them in the comments!Thank you for being part of this community—your support means the world. Here’s to the exciting future of The Music Office! ✨#TheMusicOffice #MusicEducation #Podcast #Rebrand #MusicTeachers #KelijahDunton

Join us on Masters of the Musiverse as we explore the iconic "Pirates of the Caribbean" medley arranged by Johnnie Vinson. This episode dives into the exciting and challenging aspects of this beloved piece, from the dynamic rhythms to the adventurous melodies that make it a favorite among students. Whether you're teaching this piece for the first time or looking for fresh insights, this episode offers valuable tips and ideas to help your ensemble shine. Listen now and set sail on a musical adventure!

In this special episode of Masters of the Musiverse, I’m joined by my 11-year-old son as we explore "Mechanical Monsters" by Randall Standridge. This Grade 0.5 piece, inspired by B-Monster movies, is full of dynamic challenges and fun percussion effects. Listen as we break down the piece and my son shares his experience playing it in band. Plus, you’ll get to hear him show off a magic trick—don’t miss it! Catch the full discussion and magic on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/ZBFagP3vfos

In this episode, we dive into "Zombie Stomp" by Rob Grice, a Grade 0.5 piece that’s perfect for young bands. We'll explore how its dark mood, set in the key of C minor, captivates students, and discuss the fun challenges in both wind and percussion sections. Whether you’re starting the year with this piece or looking for something engaging, "Zombie Stomp" is sure to be a hit. 🎶 Plus, I’m experimenting with AI-designed artwork for this series—hope you enjoy the visual touch! Check out the full discussion on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/aT6XX9wjz-E

In this episode, we delve into "Blue Mist" by Haley Woodrow, a captivating piece in C minor that’s ideal for young bands. We'll discuss the dark, moody atmosphere, the essential percussion parts, and how this Level 0.5 piece serves as a great introduction to playing in minor keys and handling multi-measure rests. Looking for a recording? Visit the composer’s website here: haleywoodrow.com.

In this episode, we dive into "All Ye Young Sailors" by Pierre LaPlante, a lively piece based on the sea chantey "Blow the Man Down." Perfect for introducing young bands to 6/8 time, this composition features dynamic contrasts, rhythmic challenges, and a melody that will remind students of the SpongeBob SquarePants theme. We’ll explore why this piece is both fun and educational, and how to tackle the more complex sections, including the concluding round.

Today’s episode features "Afterburn Relaunch" by Randall Standridge, a high-energy piece in E-flat major. We’ll discuss the fast-paced rhythms, intricate passages, and the powerful structure that makes this piece both exciting and challenging for young bands. Tune in to learn how this piece can captivate both performers and audiences, and how it’s a great tool for teaching ensemble coordination and dynamic contrasts.

In this episode, we explore "A+ A Precise Prelude and Excellent March" by Thomas Duffy. This piece is set in B flat and features challenging rhythms and dynamic contrasts. We'll discuss how this composition emphasizes precision in music performance, with a fun section where intentional errors are introduced to highlight the importance of accuracy. Join us as we dive into this engaging piece and share tips on how to teach it effectively.

Welcome to the Masters of the Musiverse! In this kickoff episode, we introduce our August Band Boost campaign, where we'll dive into a variety of Grade 2 and lower band pieces each day. Whether you're rediscovering forgotten gems or finding new favorites, this series is designed to help you and your students prepare for the upcoming school year. Tune in to learn more about what’s in store this month and how you can get involved!

Theme Music created by David Stoddard Audio/Video edited by Scott Kummrow Social Media: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/musiverse Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/motm80 Twitter: https://twitter.com/musiversemaster Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musiversemaster YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/skummrow Podcast: https://anchor.fm/musiverse Interview Links: Michelle’s YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/c/MichelleMcCauley Decolonizing the Music Room- https://decolonizingthemusicroom.com/ Native American Flag Songs- https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2017/11/25/to-native-americans-honoring-flag-might-mean-a-different-anthem/ Social Distance Powwow- https://www.facebook.com/groups/832568190487520/ Northern Cree Drum Group- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrKDmn6-d7Q The Lies My Teacher Told Me- https://www.amazon.com/Lies-My-Teacher-Told-Everything/dp/0743296281 Luther Standing Bear- https://www.amazon.com/Luther-Standing-Bear/e/B001JS0C5K?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1647313634&sr=1-1 Zitkala-Sa- https://www.amazon.com/Zitkala-Sa/e/B001JRZSZA?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1647313681&sr=8-1 Sarah Winnemmucca- https://www.amazon.com/Sarah-Winnemucca-Hopkins/e/B001KINL7K?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1647313733&sr=8-1 Vine Deloria Jr.- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-nVoQ4cZBE

Masters Links: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/musiverse Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/motm80 Twitter: https://twitter.com/musiversemaster Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musiversemaster YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/skummrow Podcast: https://anchor.fm/musiverse Interview Links: Viet Cuong’s Website- https://vietcuongmusic.com/ Diamond Tide- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-vALhPHpO4 RE(NEW)AL- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpLWeDjlRt0 Extra(ordinairly) Fancy- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRWutfyY2eo Timo Andres- https://www.andres.com/

Great interview with Michigan band director Jacob Steinberger. He's awesome. Take a moment to scroll down and check out some options to help Masters of the Musiverse continue to grow. Interview Links Air Fair Template- https://docs.google.com/document/d/10negv8abI8Z93yMvJZt_m96xVmKu6yp-AmU8Y_KyoF4/edit "Breath" by James Nestor- https://smile.amazon.com/Breath-New-Science-Lost-Art/dp/0735213615/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1638330557&sr=8-1 Theme Music created by David Stoddard Audio/Video edited by Scott Kummrow Social Media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/motm80 Twitter: https://twitter.com/musiversemaster Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musiversemaster YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/skummrow Podcast: https://anchor.fm/musiverse Help MOTM Grow! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/musiverse GiveMN- https://www.givemn.org/organization/Masters-Of-The-Musiverse Studio Needs- https://smile.amazon.com/hz/charitylist/ls/23ZL5PDOFDJD7/ref=smi_ext_lnk_lcl_cl

Give to the Max- https://www.givemn.org/organization/Masters-Of-The-Musiverse www.mastersofthemusiverse.org

Audio/Video edited by Scott Kummrow Interview Links: MN School Psych Assoc- https://www.mspaonline.net/ National School Psych Week- https://www.nasponline.org/research-and-policy/advocacy/national-school-psychology-week-(nspw) Social Media: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/musiverse Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/motm80 Twitter: https://twitter.com/musiversemaster Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musiversemaster YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/skummrow Podcast: https://anchor.fm/musiverse

Theme Music created by David Stoddard Audio/Video edited by Scott Kummrow Social Media: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/musiverse Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/motm80 Twitter: https://twitter.com/musiversemaster Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musiversemaster YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/skummrow Podcast: https://anchor.fm/musiverse

Anton’s Links: Ojibwe Language Revitalizationhttps: https://gofund.me/ae650e9b MAIBA Scholarship Fund https://www.maiba.org/donate/ Minnesota Land Trust https://mnland.org/get-involved/give/donate/ Anton’s Website- https://antontreuer.com/ Masters of the Musiverse Give MN- https://www.givemn.org/organization/Masters-Of-The-Musiverse Social Media: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/musiverse Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/motm80 Twitter: https://twitter.com/musiversemaster Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musiversemaster YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/skummrow Podcast: https://anchor.fm/musiverse

Social Media: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/musiverse Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/motm80 Twitter: https://twitter.com/musiversemaster Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musiversemaster YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/skummrow Podcast: https://anchor.fm/musiverse Interview Links: Soundpainting Website- http://www.soundpainting.com/soundpainting/ Workbooks- http://www.soundpainting.com/workbooks/ Soundpainting Examples Ceren Oran- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeFPutGDMtU CheChe Gokce Gurcay- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBaYDzVqfkg&t=1255s Walter Thompson- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IY4DiO7v8Qk

I spoke to Ashley Olson last year when she was prepping for her first year of teaching. Here's the follow-up and a look at year two.  Theme Music created by David Stoddard (https://www.davidstoddardmusic.com/) Audio/Video edited by Scott Kummrow  Social Media: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/musiverseFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/motm80Twitter: https://twitter.com/musiversemasterInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/musiversemasterYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/skummrowPodcast: https://anchor.fm/musiverse

Social Media: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/musiverse Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/motm80 Twitter: https://twitter.com/musiversemaster Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musiversemaster YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/skummrow Podcast: https://anchor.fm/musiverse Welcome to Masters of the Musiverse’s August challenge. August, for me, is a time to start prepping for the school year. I've enjoyed doing this challenge for myself each August and I want to share it.  Each August I start gearing up for the school year by purposefully listening to one score each day. I’ve made a habit of collecting scores in the spring that vary in grade levels. This years stack has everything from Grade 1.5 to Grade 5.  This challenge is about finding new music. Appreciating some classics and prepping my mind for the year to come.  This isn’t just for band directors. I know I have some followers like my friend Jennifer that love band so much. This is for you too. For the next month I’m going to use my social media accounts to share a recording of the score I am looking at that day. If I can, the recording will incorporate a score. If you feel like commenting please do so. Use the hashtag #augustbandchallenge

Keith Oszvath is a Middle School Band Director in Batavia, IL. He also runs professional development courses for Vandercook’s School of Music and…well a lot more. He’s the guy for technology in the music classroom. In this interview with talk music education technology, middle school education and coffee! You’ll surely enjoy this wonderful conversation.  Social Media: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/musiverse Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/motm80 Twitter: https://twitter.com/musiversemaster Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musiversemaster YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/skummrow Podcast: https://anchor.fm/musiverse Links: Rebuild, Recruit, Cultivate, and Motivate: Gearing Up for a New Year & Getting Students Back in the Game!- https://www.vandercook.edu/programs/meca_motivate/?fbclid=IwAR25ZMXkFsZXHme2_fM1yozpDL7Tsc-s7x0azUsHgHzWW94pSvPqVNckNJg Flat for Google Docs- https://amzn.to/3xGaol1https://workspace.google.com/marketplace/app/flat_for_docs/324260072797 Sightreading Factory- https://www.sightreadingfactory.com/ Kahoot!- https://kahoot.com/ Quizziz- https://quizizz.com/ Sheet Music Scanner- https://sheetmusicscannerwp.azurewebsites.net/ On Teaching Band- https://amzn.to/3xG2et9 Pathways Pathways: A Guide for Energizing & Enriching Band, Orchestra, & Choral Programs- https://amzn.to/3f06FHO Learning First, Technology Second: The Educator's Guide to Designing Authentic Lessons - https://amzn.to/3xGaol1 Music For All- https://www.musicforall.org/ Keith’s Website: https://www.teachingmusicandmore.com/about

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/musiverse Social Media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/motm80 Twitter: https://twitter.com/musiversemaster Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musiversemaster YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/skummrow Podcast: https://anchor.fm/musiverse

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/musiverse Social Media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/motm80 Twitter: https://twitter.com/musiversemaster Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musiversemaster YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/skummrow Podcast: https://anchor.fm/musiverse

Improvisation is an intimidating idea for many people. Jeffrey Agrell wrote the book on games of improvisation. It is applicable in all areas but here we mostly talk about how to use his games in jazz.    Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/musiverse   Social Media:  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/motm80  Twitter: https://twitter.com/musiversemaster  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musiversemaster  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/skummrow  Podcast: https://anchor.fm/musiverse

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/musiverse Social Media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/motm80Twitter: https://twitter.com/musiversemasterInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/musiversemasterYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/skummrowPodcast: https://anchor.fm/musiverse April is Jazz Appreciation Month. It was created National Museum of American History in 2001 to recognize and celebrate the extraordinary heritage and history of jazz for the entire month of April.   Dean Sorenson is well known in the jazz education community. I have been able to work with Dean and see him work with students. He is incredible. His knowledge is unmatched, he loves the art form, and also, he’s just a great guy. You will get to see all that in this interview.  This month I am doing a bunch of giveaways. Two of which are Dean’s books. If you are an educator that would like to get your hands on his materials share this video and tag me on social media and I’ll enter you in the drawing for these two great books. If you know an educator that would benefit from these books tag them as well. I’ll enter them in the drawing to win these books and enter you to win a bag of “French Press Friday” coffee. These materials are wonderful as are these interviews. Enjoy and share!

Peter Erskine has played the drums since the age of four and is known for his versatility and love of working in different musical contexts. He appears on 700 albums and film scores, and has won two Grammy Awards, plus an Honorary Doctorate from the Berklee School of Music (1992). Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/musiverse  Social Media:  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/motm80 Twitter: https://twitter.com/musiversemaster Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musiversemaster YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/skummrow Podcast: https://anchor.fm/musiverse  Peter Erskine's Website: https://petererskine.com/ Jazz Appreciation Month: https://americanhistory.si.edu/smithsonian-jazz/jazz-appreciation-month

The mission of "Masters of the Musiverse" is to provide an assortment of resources for music educators. On the YouTube channel and podcast of the same name I interview experts in the field of music education to discuss new trends, expose new composers and their works, and offer educators an opportunity to deepen their understanding of topics. We are also working to connect educators with the resources they need for their classrooms. And this month I have great interviews and giveaways centered around jazz education. Jazz Appreciation Month was created National Museum of American history in 2001 to recognize and celebrate the extraordinary heritage and history of jazz for the entire month of April. Jazz appreciation month is intended to stimulate and encourage people of all ages to participate in jazz - to study the music, attend concerts, listen to jazz on radio and recordings, read books about jazz, and more. This month you will hear from some amazing jazz educators. Dean Sorenson of the University of Minnesota literally wrote the book(s) on how to teach jazz. Jeffery Agrell of Iowa State University wrote a book on improvisation games. I have received some support from a couple publishers. Kjos has donated conductor scores for Dean’s books and GIA has donated 3 of Jeffery's Improvisation Games. Plus, coffee. So much much coffee to giveaway! If you want to be entered in the drawing for any of these giveaways simply subscribe and share these interviews on social media (make sure MOTM is tagged). I reached out to a wide range of professional jazz musicians and asked them why they believed jazz education was important. I am so thankful for the time they took to give thoughtful responses including the upcoming message from John Fedchock. John Fedchock’s illustrious career in jazz has spanned over three decades. Since his emergence on the scene in 1980, Fedchock has established himself as a world-class trombone soloist, a heralded bandleader, and a Grammy-nominated arranger. An in-demand performer and writer in New York City, his multifaceted talents have led him to become one of NYC’s premiere jazz artists. John shares on why jazz education is important in this concise, thoughtful statement. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/musiverse Social Media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/motm80 Twitter: https://twitter.com/musiversemaster Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musiversemaster YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/skummrow Podcast: https://anchor.fm/musiverse

The mission of "Masters of the Musiverse" is to provide an assortment of resources for music educators. On the YouTube channel and podcast of the same name I interview experts in the field of music education to discuss new trends, expose new composers and their works, and offer educators an opportunity to deepen their understanding of topics. We are also working to connect educators with the resources they need for their classrooms. And this month I have great interviews and giveaways centered around jazz education. Jazz Appreciation Month was created National Museum of American history in 2001 to recognize and celebrate the extraordinary heritage and history of jazz for the entire month of April. Jazz appreciation month is intended to stimulate and encourage people of all ages to participate in jazz - to study the music, attend concerts, listen to jazz on radio and recordings, read books about jazz, and more. This month you will hear from some amazing jazz educators. Dean Sorenson of the University of Minnesota literally wrote the book(s) on how to teach jazz. Jeffery Agrell of Iowa State University wrote a book on improvisation games. I have received some support from a couple publishers. Kjos has donated conductor scores for Dean’s books and GIA has donated 3 of Jeffery's Improvisation Games. Plus, coffee. So much much coffee to giveaway! If you want to be entered in the drawing for any of these giveaways simply subscribe and share these interviews on social media (make sure MOTM is tagged). We will kick the month off with some great encouragement from some jazz masters. Starting right now with Aubrey Logan. I first heard Aubrey play with post modern jukebox. her singing and trombone playing astonished me. I love her album impossible and I am excited for the release of her new album Standard. Check out her website for all her music and get tickets for the livestream of her album release. Now listen as Aubrey shares why she believes jazz education is important. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/musiverse Social Media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/motm80 Twitter: https://twitter.com/musiversemaster Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musiversemaster YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/skummrow Podcast: https://anchor.fm/musiverse

Dr. Scott Jones of the Ohio State University is a respected educator and conductor. He has developed a free, web-based rhythm program called "Emile." When combined with sound pedagogy and thoughtful planning this program can change the way you teach rhythm. This is also the beginning of  a month of giveaways. If you share this link in social media and tag me you’ll be entered in a drawing for David Newell’s amazing book “Teaching Rhythm.” Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/musiverse  Social Media:  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/motm80 Twitter: https://twitter.com/musiversemaster Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musiversemaster YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/skummrow  Conversation Links  Emile- https://emilerhythm.com/home Learning Sequences (Ed Gordon)- https://amzn.to/3cjD5ft Teaching Rhythm (David Newell)- https://amzn.to/3d04WR0 

This was a very engaging conversation. Reid Wixson (Minneapolis Southwest) and Brian Lukkasson (Blake School) have an amazing project to share with the band and orchestra world and I think you will want to be a part of this one. Also, they approach this conversation with a mix of directness and compassion that we should all strive to model. There are so many links below. Happy listening!   Conversation Links  Consortium Invite- http://bit.ly/3kU7bZO NPR Story- http://n.pr/3uUmWEw  10 Best Practices for Repertoire Selection- https://bit.ly/2O2xD7q  Band in Minnesota "Quality Music of Diversity"- http://bit.ly/3kM0GrO   Repertoire Resources Institute for Composer Diversity- https://www.composerdiversity.com/  ...and we were heard- https://www.andwewereheard.org/  Murphy Press- https://murphymusicpress.com/   Recommended Works/Composers-   Omar Thomas' Sharp Nine- https://www.omarthomas.com/sharp-nine  Mattea Williams' Spring- https://murphymusicpress.com/products/w-629  Giovanni Santos- https://giosantosmusic.com/in-blue-and-green/  Kevin Day- https://www.kevindaymusic.com/compositions  Composer Diversity Recommendations- https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgCKPpxFLq8F452RCxlkomUEmL9PUqCyI

Artist Access is a awesome program for educators, fans, and anyone else that wants to be able to access the artists that they know and love. Del Lyren and I talk about the ins and outs of this great program.   Interview Links:  https://www.artistaccess.net/ [email protected]    Social Media:  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/motm80 Twitter: https://twitter.com/musiversemaster Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bandmanofone/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/skummrow

Haley Woodrow Dr. Charles Weise and I talk about the Adaptable Band Consortium that they worked on this year. It's a pretty amazing project. Plus Haley gets into the details of future projects and Charles talks about upcoming commissions he's working on.  https://haleywoodrow.com/ Tapestry- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LTLC99PWig&feature=emb_title MN Junior Winds- https://sites.google.com/site/mnjuniorwinds/home