Note Doctors: Recent Episodes
Paul Thomas
Note Doctors is a podcast all about music theory and music theory pedagogy. Each episode features an interview with an innovative music theory instructor. The podcast is hosted by three university theory instructors: Paul Thomas, Jenn Weaver, and Ben Graf.
Paul, Jenn, and Ben kick off season 4 by welcoming onto the podcast Dr. Nancy Rogers, Professor of Music Theory at Florida State University. Co-author of the popular textbook "Music for Sight Singing", Dr. Rogers explains the process of curating such a collection and provides practical advice for teaching aural skills.
Paul, Jenn, and Ben finish our first ever Note Doctors Summer Book Club by discussing the last two chapters of Philip Ewell's "On Music Theory, and Making Music More Welcoming for Everyone."
Paul, Jenn, and Ben discuss chapters 4 and 5 of Philip Ewell's "On Music Theory, and Making Music More Welcoming for Everyone."
Paul, Jenn, and Ben continue discussing Philip Ewell's "On Music Theory, and Making Music More Welcoming for Everyone." Chapters 2 and 3 feature topics related to white mythologies, the Western canon, and Heinrich Schenker's legacy.
In this bonus summer short, Jenn talks with us about her amazing experience attending the Workshops in Music Theory Pedagogy held at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada.
Paul, Jenn, and Ben begin our summerlong bookclub by discussing the Intro and Chapter 1 of Philip Ewell's "On Music Theory, and Making Music More Welcoming for Everyone."
Paul, Jenn, and Ben discuss how they deal with three common challenges theory and aural skills teachers face: cell phones in the classroom, lesson planning, and student accommodations.
Paul, Jenn, and Ben kick off the summer by playing Au Contraire Mon Frère/Ma Soeur, a game where Jenn and Ben see who can best defend or refute some of our favorite music theory hot takes from past podcast episodes.
Paul, Jenn, and Ben talk with Dr. Timothy Chenette, associate professor of music at Utah University State, about how we can improve the way we teach aural skills. Dr. Chenette is also the author of the newly released free online textbook "Foundations of Aural Skills."
Paul, Jenn, and Ben talk with Dr. Kyle Gullings, associate professor of music theory and composition at the University of Texas at Tyler, about his work with openmusictheory.com and the benefits of open educational resources.
Paul, Jenn, and Ben talk with Dr. Stacey Davis, Acting Director of the School of Music and Professor of Music Theory at the University of Texas at San Antonio, about her research on performance expressivity and how she creates connections in the theory classroom between analysis and performance practice.
Paul, Jenn, and Ben talk with Dr. Amy Hatch, assistant professor of instruction at the University of Texas at Arlington, about the way she brings various pedagogical influences - from inside and outside music -into her theory classroom.
Paul, Jenn, and Ben talk with Matthew Bilik, assistant professor at Anderson University, Richard Desinord, Michigan State University, and Megan Lyons, Furman University. Each of our guests are currently in their first year in a tenure-track position and graciously shared their experiences on the job market and the things they've learned since starting their new positions.
To start the new year, we answer the question we like to ask all our guests. For fun, we use the 4 stages of a dating relationship (initial encounter, curiosity, enlightenment, and commitment) to describe our journeys with music theory.
We are back with our final episode of the year produced in collaboration with the Journal of Music Theory Pedagogy! Paul, Jenn, and Ben talk with two music theory professors from the University of Delaware, Dr. Patricia Burt and Dr. Philip Duker, about their implementation of the Question Formation Technique in their theory classrooms.
Paul, Jenn, and Ben talk with Dr. Charles Leinberger, professor of music at the University of Texas at El Paso, about his work as a music theorist and archival researcher of film music by Ennio Morricone.
We are back with another episode produced in collaboration with the Journal of Music Theory Pedagogy! Paul, Jenn, and Ben talk with Dr. Melissa Hoag, associate professor of music theory at Oakland University and reviews editor for JMTP. In this jam-packed episode, Dr. Hoag gives a preview of the numerous theory and aural skills resource reviews in the upcoming JMTP and as a special bonus, shares about a new book she edited entitled "Expanding the Canon: Black Composers in the Music Theory Classroom."
Paul, Jenn, and Ben celebrate their 50th episode by bringing back their guest from episode one: Jenny Snodgrass, academic director in the School of Music at Lipscomb University. In a wide-ranging conversation, Dr. Snodgrass shares what she has learned throughout her career as both a theory professor and administrator.
Paul, Jenn, and Ben welcome back Benjamin Dobbs to the podcast. Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Music Theory and Composition at Furman University, Dr. Dobbs shares his passion for student mentorship and how he helps young music theory scholars develop their research skills.
Paul, Jenn, and Ben talk with Dr. Megan Lavengood, Assistant Professor and Director of Music Theory at George Mason University, about her work analyzing timbre in popular music, the classic sounds of the Yamaha DX7, and the potential for music theory exploration in video game soundtracks.
Paul, Jenn, and Ben talk with Dr. Toby Rush, Associate Professor at the University of Dayton, about his popular "Music Theory for Musicians and Normal People" handouts and the ways in which he has incorporated topics such as acoustics and electronic music into the core music theory curriculum.
Paul, Jenn, and Ben kick off season three with a pair of guests - Benjamin Dobbs, Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Music Theory and Composition at Furman University, and Shana Southard-Dobbs, Associate Professor of Psychology at Lander University. They share their work exploring the efficacy of growth mindset strategies in the music theory classroom along with the benefits of performing cross-disciplinary scholarship of teaching and learning research.
We finish our current series on "Theory Desert Island Piece" - one of those compositions you just love including in your theory class - with Jenn's pick: "Chichester Psalms" by Leonard Bernstein.
We continue our current series on "Theory Desert Island Pieces" - one of those compositions you just love including in your theory class. Ben's pick comes from the world of video game music: "The Legend of Zelda Theme" by Koji Kondo.
We begin a three-week series where each one of us gets to name a "Theory Desert Island Piece" - one of those compositions you just love including in your theory class. Paul starts us off with his pick: "Seven Last Words of the Unarmed" by Joel Thompson.
There were just too many clips to fit into one summer short so Paul, Jenn, and Ben are back with another episode rating movie scenes on how accurately they portray music theory topics.
Paul, Jenn, and Ben kick off the summer by rating video clips from television, film, and YouTube on how accurately they portray music theory topics.
Paul, Jenn, and Ben recap the highlights and challenges of the past spring semester and dig into the mailbag to answer some listener emails.
In this final installment in a series where we ask what different types of music majors need from music theory, Paul, Jenn, and Ben talk with David Portillo, American tenor and professional opera singer, about what performance majors specifically need from their music theory and aural skills education.
In this fifth installment in a series where we ask what different types of music majors need from music theory, Paul, Jenn, and Ben talk with Jennifer Youngs, assistant professor of voice at Brigham Young University, about what vocal majors specifically need from their music theory and aural skills education.
In this fourth installment in a series where we ask what different types of music majors need from music theory, Paul, Jenn, and Ben talk with two of Ben's colleagues from the University of North Texas, Alan Baylock (director of the One O'Clock Lab Band) and Kimberly Hannon Teal (assistant professor of jazz history and research) about what jazz majors specifically need from their music theory and aural skills education.
In the third of a series of episodes where we ask what different types of music majors need from music theory, Paul, Jenn, and Ben talk with the composer and arranger Mark Brymer about what music business majors specifically need from their music theory and aural skills education.
In the second of a series of episodes where we ask what different types of music majors need from music theory, Paul, Jenn, and Ben talk with Dr. Della Molloy-Daugherty, assistant professor and program coordinator of music therapy at Texas Woman's University, about what music therapy majors specifically need from their music theory and aural skills education.
In the first of a series of episodes where we ask what different types of music majors need from music theory, Paul, Jenn, and Ben talk with Dr. Becky Morrison, associate professor of music and chair of music education at Dallas Baptist University, about what music ed majors specifically need from their music theory and aural skills education.
Paul, Jenn, and Ben recap their own semester of teaching theory and aural skills and their goals for spring semester 2022.
In this our second episode made in collaboration with the Journal of Music Theory Pedagogy, Paul, Jenn, and Ben welcome six music theory scholars to discuss their forthcoming article in the JMTP entitled "Corralling the Chorale." In this wide ranging conversation, our guests reconsider what voice leading means and what its role should be in the undergraduate theory curriculum, as well as ask us to consider a wide range of factors and constituencies when making curricular changes.
This episode features our first collaboration with the Journal of Music Theory Pedagogy! Paul, Jenn, and Ben talk with Dr. Aaron Grant, Assistant Professor of Music Theory at Missouri Western State University, about his article in the upcoming volume of the JMTP. Dr. Grant shares how he uses public music theory and community engaged learning activities to enrich the educational experiences of his music theory students.
Paul, Jenn, and Ben talk with Dr. Rebecca Jemian, Associate Professor and Coordinator of Music Theory at the University of Louisville. A former chief reader for the AP Music Theory Exam, Dr. Jemian gives a behind the scenes look into all that goes into administering and grading the exam.
Paul, Jenn, and Ben talk with Dr. Nicole Biamonte, associate professor of music theory at McGill University. Dr. Biamonte discusses the challenges of teaching pop music analysis and explains why topics such as timbre and texture should be included more frequently in the music theory classroom.
Paul, Jenn, and Ben talk with Dr. Jan Miyake, chair and associate professor of Music Theory at Oberlin College & Conservatory. Dr. Miyake explains the exciting curriculum changes underway at Oberlin and provides examples of how she has made her classroom more equitable and inclusive.
Paul, Jenn, and Ben talk with Dr. Cynthia Gonzales, Associate Professor of Music at Texas State University. A recipient of numerous teaching awards, Dr. Gonzales discusses the challenges of teaching sight-singing and how she developed the Listen-Sing Method through SmartMusic.
Paul, Jenn, and Ben talk with Dr. Malia Jade Roberson, owner of the online business "Music Theory Shop" and Lecturer in Performing Arts, Music at California State University, Channel Islands. Dr. Roberson shares her journey as a music theory entrepreneur and how she reaches students through her unique music products and social media presence.
Paul, Jenn, and Ben kickoff season 2 by talking with Cory Arnold, better known as the YouTuber 12tone. Cory provides a sneak peak at how they create their videos and discusses the role educational YouTube content creators play within the larger world of music theory pedagogy.
We pit two note doctors against each other in a debate over the best way to teach harmonic dictation. In one corner we have Jenn with the do-ti line and in the other corner we have Ben with the harmonic paradigm system. Who will win??
Paul, Jenn, and Ben share new musical examples for teaching the major and minor scales.
Paul, Jenn, and Ben reflect on the first season of guests and topics. Season 2 will be coming out in September 2021!
Paul, Jenn, and Ben talk with Charlotte Botha, Director of Choral Activities at Hamilton College in Clinton, NY. Charlotte compares and contrasts American music education with her own musical upbringing in South Africa and provides insights and tips on how we can get the most out of our students in the sightsinging classroom.
Paul, Jenn, and Ben talk with Richard Desinord, theory professor at Howard University. Richard shares his research on R&B and Neo-Soul music, explains how he applies it in the theory classroom, and speaks on the importance of making music theory more accessible to and inclusive of people of color.
Paul, Jenn, and Ben talk with David Newman, instructor of voice and aural skills at James Madison University. Well-known for his Youtube solfege song videos, David talks with us about why he started writing songs for his aural skills students and how he uses humor in his classroom teaching. David's first music theory album, “The Well Trained Ear,” is available on Bandcamp.
Paul, Jenn, and Ben talk with Leigh VanHandel, associate professor of music theory at the University of British Columbia. Editor of "The Routledge Companion to Music Theory Pedagogy", Dr. VanHandel discusses a variety pedagogical topics - including her work shining a light on imposter syndrome and its effect on theory instructors and students alike.
Paul, Jenn, and Ben talk with Akira Sato, the full time AP Music Theory teacher at Plano West Senior High School in Plano, Texas. A member of the AP Music Theory Test Development Committee who regularly leads AP Summer Institutes and One Day Workshops throughout the country, Mr. Sato shares with us the experiences that led him to his current position and the approaches he uses to create an engaging and relevant classroom environment.
Paul, Jenn, and Ben talk with Gary Karpinski, Professor of Music at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The author of numerous ear training texts, Dr. Karpinski shares his wealth of knowledge on the study of aural skills, aural perception, and pedagogy.
Paul, Jenn, and Ben talk Elizabeth West Marvin, the Minehan Family Professor and Professor of Music Theory at the Eastman School of Music. The co-author of numerous theory textbooks, Dr. Marvin shares her passion for teaching theory and aural skills and how textbooks have the power to shape and guide the musical understanding of today's music students.
Paul, Jenn, and Ben talk with J. Daniel Jenkins, associate professor of music theory at the University of South Carolina. Dr. Jenkins discusses his work in the area of public music theory and shares his experience teaching music theory at Lee Correctional Institution.
In a spirit of gratitude and festive good will, Paul, Jenn, and Ben list their favorite things about the past semester of teaching theory and aural skills.
Paul, Jenn, and Ben talk with Dr. John Mortensen, Professor of Piano at Cedarville University and an internationally recognized leader in the revival of classical improvisation. Dr. Mortensen shares why he began performing entire concerts of improvised music and how he teaches historic improvisation to his students both in the United States and abroad.
Paul, Jenn, and Ben discuss the pedagogy sessions and topics presented at the annual Society for Music Theory Conference.
Paul, Jenn, and Ben talk with Dr. Jenny Beavers, Associate Professor of Music Theory at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Dr. Beavers shares her enthusiasm for mentoring undergraduate students and how she started the UTSA Music Theory Club.
Paul, Jenn, and Ben talk with Dr. Jena Root, Professor and Music Theory Coordinator for the Dana School of Music at Youngstown State University. Dr. Root discusses her experience teaching theory overseas and her passion for music fundamentals that led her to publish her textbook, "Applied Music Fundamentals: Writing, Singing, and Listening."
Paul, Jenn, and Ben talk with Dr. Blaise Ferrandino, professor and division chair of music theory and composition at Texas Christian University. Dr. Ferrandino shares with us his unique approach to part-writing and the importance of not only what we teach, but also how we teach it.
Paul, Jenn, and Ben talk with Dr. Rachel Mann, Assistant Professor of Music at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Dr. Mann is one of the creators of Harmonia, an online theory teaching software that will actually grade your part-writing examples! We also discuss the unique challenges of teaching first-generation students.
Paul, Jenn, and Ben talk with Dr. Jennifer Snodgrass, professor of music theory in the Hayes School of Music at Appalachian State University. Dr. Snodgrass discusses her new book "Teaching Music Theory: New Voices and Approaches" and what she learned from criss-crossing the country in order to chronicle the best approaches in teaching music theory.