Choralosophy - SoundSage

View Details

A common theme on this show is “teaching the WHOLE language of music.” So, I was pleased to link up with Cindy to hear how important dictation is in her pedagogy. A crucial and often missing element of common teaching practice. What does it take to build a thriving choir program—and a lifelong passion for music? Yes, but also solid pedagogy and TIME with students…

In this episode of The Choralosophy Podcast, I sit down with Cindy Ellis, a choir director from Miami, to explore her incredible journey from growing up in Cuba to shaping young singers in the U.S. Cindy shares how her experiences as an immigrant shaped her approach to teaching, why music literacy is non-negotiable, and how she fosters student independence through composition, dictation, and ear training.

Key discussion topics include:

Cindy’s personal journey from Cuba to the U.S. and into music education
The power of dictation and memorization in choral training
How to bridge the gap between middle and high school music programs
The importance of student-led learning and independent musicianship
Why choir directing is more than just music—it’s about building kind, respectful humans

If you’re passionate about choral education, student growth, and the power of music, this episode is a must-listen.

Tune in now on YouTube or your favorite podcast app!

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Tune in, and have your thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself with your related ideas and experiences on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com Also, don’t forget to grab a reading rope for your classroom wall from the shop! Music Reading Rope

Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Bonus MaterialsChoralosophy Community BlogMerch Store!Visit Kaleidescope Today! www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok! For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

Sign up for an annual membership and save over $50 by entering Choralosophy at checkout! Save 15% on monthly or annual subscriptions.A native of Holguín, Cuba, Cindy Ellis immigrated to the United States in 2005. She earned her Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Education and Jazz Voice from Florida International University and her Master’s Degree in Music Education from the University of Missouri. Mrs. Ellis is a full time choral director at Miami Arts Studio, a 6th-12th grade public performing arts magnet school in Miami, FL. Her middle school and high school ensembles have been featured at numerous venues throughout the country. These include Carnegie Hall (2018 and 2024), the Florida, Southern, and later this year, National Conference of the American Choral Directors Association.

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comIn 2022, Mrs. Ellis’ students performed in Los Angeles for the Summit of the Americas, a meeting hosted by President Joe Biden that brought together 40 Presidents and leaders from the Americas and Caribbean. Additionally, in the last 7 years, the students have recorded and performed background vocals for Gloria and Emilio Estefan and several music award shows including the AMAs, Latin American Music Awards and the Latin GRAMMY Awards. Earlier this year, Mrs. Ellis conducted her students at the Miami show of Jacob Collier’s DJESSE Volume 4 World Tour. Beyond her school responsibilities, she frequently performs, conducts honor choirs and teaches masterclasses for music directors and students from elementary to college throughout North America. As a jazz vocal soloist and alto with the Jason Max Ferdinand Singers, she collaborated with Jacob Collier for performances at the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, and recording projects including a performance alongside Coldplay for NBC’s Saturday Night Live and a 2024 BBC Proms Music Festival concert in London, UK.

In 2020, Mrs. Ellis was published by GIA Publications as a contributing author on “Teaching with Heart,” and in 2022, she served as instructional design editor and contributing author of “Teaching Beyond the Music,” the second edition in the series. Ellis is Miami Arts Studio’s 2025 Teacher of the Year, a 2025 Grammy Music Educator Semi-Finalist, and currently serves as the World Musics & Cultures Coordinator for the American Choral Directors Association Southern Region.

  View this profile on Instagram      Choralosophy Podcast (@choralosophy) • Instagram photos and videos

RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!

.

View Details

I often see “technique” and “expression” discussed as opposite sides of the coin. This couldn’t be further from the truth. The technique UNLOCKS the expressive capacity. Don’s past appearances on tuning systems and pitch matching have been very popular with colleagues. Links below. Many singers and conductors focus on interpretation and expression, but without the right technical foundation, true artistry can never fully develop. Imagine trying to teach a singer how to be expressive—without first ensuring they have the technical control to execute it. That’s like asking someone to paint a masterpiece before they even know how to hold a brush. In this episode of The Choralosophy Podcast, I sit down with Donald Brinegar to explore how structure and technique lay the foundation for expressive, effortless singing. We dive into breath efficiency, resonance, articulation, and mental clarity—all crucial elements in developing a truly flexible and expressive voice. Don recently released this concept as something he calls a “nested hierarchy” with the acronym “APROARTE” in a book under that name.

*Key Topics We Discuss:*

Why great singing starts with great breath control
How posture, resonance, and airflow shape vocal efficiency
The power of “hot air” breathing and larynx positioning
How small adjustments can make a huge difference in vocal freedom
The science behind expressiveness—and how to train it effectively

If you’re passionate about helping singers reach their full potential, this episode is packed with practical takeaways.

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Tune in, and have your thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself with your related ideas and experiences on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com Also, don’t forget to grab a reading rope for your classroom wall from the shop! Music Reading Rope

Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Bonus MaterialsChoralosophy Community BlogMerch Store!Visit Kaleidescope Today! www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok! For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

Sign up for an annual membership and save over $50 by entering Choralosophy at checkout! Save 15% on monthly or annual subscriptions.Donald Brinegar is a conductor, tenor soloist, voice instructor, educator and master class clinician. Professor Emeritus of Music at Pasadena City College, Brinegar directed the Choral Studies program at PCC for 36 years. Brinegar also conducts the Donald Brinegar Singers, a community choral ensemble in Pasadena, California, Director of Choruses for the Pasadena Symphony and POPS, and adjunct professor of voice at PCC.

During the summers he is an adjunct professor of conducting and voice in the Cal State Los Angeles masters program in Choral conducting. Brinegar has published five book on Choral Music. His book “Pitch Perfect: A Theory and Practice of Choral Intonation” was released in December 2019 and has already been hailed as a singular contribution in the field of Choral Music. “Conducting Primer: Seven Principles of Choral Conducting” was published in May of 2020 and “Conducting Primer in Practice” was published in June 2020. Both books have received international critical acclaim.

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comDon’s Past Appearances!

  View this profile on Instagram      Choralosophy Podcast (@choralosophy) • Instagram photos and videos

RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!

.

View Details

The Symphony and its Chorus provides us with a rich history, Canon, and tradition. It also provides us a powerful medium for living composers, and aspiring musicians.
I’m excited to share this conversation featuring the extraordinary Anthony Blake Clark—of the Dallas Symphony Chorus and Baltimore Choral Arts, who wants us to consider the Symphony Chorus as a vital part of the choral music ecosystem. In this thought-provoking conversation, we explore Blake’s approach to large ensemble rehearsal, his vision for the future of choral music, and the role symphony choruses can play in shaping lifelong music-making.

Blake’s Journey
From a small farming community in Texas to leading renowned ensembles like the Dallas Symphony Chorus, Anthony shares how his love for choral music grew during his time at Baylor University and how his studies with Simon Halsey in the UK deepened his passion for combining choral and orchestral traditions. Along the way, he’s held leadership roles with Baltimore Choral Arts, Bach Vespers in New York, and now the Dallas Symphony Chorus.

Key Topics We Discuss:

The Unique Role of Symphony Choruses: We discuss how the perception of choral music in the U.S.—as something for children, the elderly, or limited to university choirs—has hurt our choral culture.
Balancing Tradition and Innovation: Anthony shares his commitment to preserving the masterworks of choral literature while also championing new compositions.
Managing Large Ensembles: With experience conducting groups ranging from 12 to 200 singers, Anthony opens up about the challenges of working with large ensembles and the importance of building trust, establishing a rhythmic foundation, and addressing issues directly with individual singers.
Expanding Choral Music Accessibility: We discuss how professional choirs and symphonic ensembles can bring world-class music-making to more communities, showing that choral singing can be a lifelong passion for everyone, not just a stepping stone in academic settings.

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Tune in, and have your thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself with your related ideas and experiences on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com Also, don’t forget to grab a reading rope for your classroom wall from the shop! Music Reading Rope

Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Bonus MaterialsChoralosophy Community BlogMerch Store!Visit Kaleidescope Today! www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok! For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

Sign up for an annual membership and save over $50 by entering Choralosophy at checkout! Save 15% on monthly or annual subscriptions.Find Ryan’s Article:

Anthony Blake Clark is a leading voice among his generation of choral conductors. He is in demand by both amateur and professional choral artists because of his “readily apparent musicality” (Baltimore Sun) and his conviction that lives can be changed by participating in classical music, whether on the stage or in the audience.

Clark has performed with some of the most important ensembles in legendary venues throughout the USA and Europe. He has prepared choral ensembles for prestigious orchestras such as the Rundfunkchor Berlin with the Berliner Philharmoniker, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Vienna Radio Orchestra, Dallas Symphony Orchestra, and the Richmond Symphony Orchestra for esteemed conductors such as Marin Alsop, Sir John Eliot Gardiner, Fabio Luisi, Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla, and Simon Halsey. He and his choirs have performed at the Berlin Philharmonie, the Vienna Konzerthaus, Symphony Hall Birmingham (UK), St. Martin-in-the-Fields London, The Kennedy Center, and the Washington National Cathedral, among others.

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comMaestro Clark was recently named the Jean D. Wilson Chair Chorus Director for the Dallas Symphony. After preparing three critically praised programs for the Dallas Symphony Chorus in 2022 and 2023, Music Director Fabio Luisi appointed Clark as Chorus Director beginning in the 2023-2024 season. As Chorus Director, Clark prepares the 200-voice ensemble for classical and pops programs. Highlights this season include Brahms’ Ein Deutsches Requiem and Schmidt’s Das Buch mit Sieben Siegeln. The Dallas Symphony Chorus under Clark’s preparation can be seen on Medici TV (Orff’s Carmina Burana and Catulli Carmina) and DSO’s “Next Stage” streaming platform (Beethoven’s 9th Symphony).

Great deals, speedy shipping, and back to school sales at SheetMusicPlus!At Baltimore Choral Arts, Anthony Blake Clark has served as Music Director since 2017. Clark has expanded subscription concert offerings while building a robust community outreach and education initiative. He has consistently received glowing reviews, both for work on the podium and as chorusmaster for performances with the Baltimore Symphony and other area partners. His work with BCAS has been recognized with an American Prize in Choral Conducting and a second nomination for best community ensemble, as well as the Chorus America/ASCAP Alice Parker Award. He annually conducts and produces the celebrated “Christmas with Choral Arts” television concert, first on ABC2 and now on Maryland PBS station MPT, for which the ensemble has received three regional Emmyâ nominations. Clark has secured invites to several important festivals and collaborations; after a sold-out and enthusiastically received UK tour, BCAS was in residence with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and Chorus for performances of Mahler’s 8th Symphony. Recently, Clark and Baltimore Choral Arts made their Berlin Philharmonie debut with the Freie Universität Orchester. On the same tour, BCAS collaborated with the Vienna Singakademie to perform with the Vienna Radio Orchestra under Marin Alsop.

Anthony Blake Clark also served as Artistic Director of Bach Vespers in New York City. In residence at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in mid-town Manhattan, the Bach Choir and Players are composed of some of the finest early music professionals in the nation, presenting works of Bach using historically informed practices within the liturgical context of a Vespers service. He has also served as the James Erb Choral Chair Director of Choruses for the Richmond Symphony Orchestra.

Anthony Blake Clark is equally adept in the orchestral field, making his Baltimore Symphony debut in 2021 and made his Richmond Symphony debut in 2022. He has also appeared as cover conductor for the National Symphony Orchestra, assisting conductors such as Ton Koopman, Gianandrea Noseda, Teddy Abrams, Christoph Eshenbach, and Manfred Honeck, and has assisted Marin Alsop at the Baltimore Symphony.

  View this profile on Instagram      Choralosophy Podcast (@choralosophy) • Instagram photos and videos

Clark is a passionate teacher and served as Director of Choral Activities at The George Washington University in DC. His university choirs performed at the Kennedy Center and National Cathedral and sang with the Washington Chorus, Baltimore Choral Arts, Naval Academy Glee Club, and the Baltimore and Annapolis Symphonies. Recently he was Guest Conductor/Lecturer for the Westminster Choir College Symphonic Choir. He regularly leads workshops and clinics for school and community ensembles.

Legacy and mentorship are paramount to Clark’s musical philosophy; he is a mentee of Marin Alsop, having worked with her extensively and studied with her at the Peabody Institute in the doctoral conducting program. Mr. Clark completed a master’s degree under three-time Grammy Award winner Simon Halsey CBE at the United Kingdom’s University of Birmingham and considers Halsey his lifelong mentor. During his time in the UK, he embedded himself in the choral life of the UK and sang under the batons of Sir Simon Rattle, Edward Gardiner, and Andris Nelsons, and had opportunities to conduct the London Symphony Chorus and the CBSO Chorus. Other teachers include Simon Carrington (Yale Norfolk Festival, Sarteano Workshop) and Lynne Gackle (Baylor University).

An active composer and arranger, Anthony Blake Clark’s music has been performed in Washington DC, London, Oxford, Texas, and at Prague’s Dvorák Museum Concert Hall. In 2022 his new performance edition of Mozart’s Requiem was recorded by Acis Records.

RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!@blakeclarkmusic instagram

.

View Details

Music has long been celebrated as a universal language, capable of moving hearts, bridging divides, and bringing people together. But what exactly is ‘The Power of Music’? Is it in the melody, the rhythm, or something deeper?In this episode of Choralosophy, we’re diving into a fascinating concept with Dr. Ryan Luhrs: that the true power of music might actually lie within the choir itself. Imagine a space where people from different backgrounds, beliefs, and perspectives can gather, set aside differences, and create something beautiful together. You might even call this a ‘natural laboratory for reconciliation’—and choirs, as it turns out, might hold the key.

Think about it: in a world that often feels divided and polarized, choirs create the perfect environment for collaboration, empathy, and common ground. It’s not just about singing the right notes—it’s about listening, adapting, and building trust with others. These qualities, so essential to successful music-making, are also the very building blocks of community and reconciliation. “Intergroup Contact Theory” comes from the field of Social Psychology and describes the conditions under which groups that have important differences or even conflict can find reconciliation.

In this discussion, Ryan and parse out why this matters, not just for musicians, but for anyone who believes in the power of human connection. How can choirs serve as a model for unity in a fractured world? And how can directors, singers, and audiences alike harness this power to make a real difference?

Whether you’re a seasoned choir director, a lifelong singer, or someone who simply loves music, this conversation will open your eyes to the deeper role choirs play in our society—and the profound impact they can have beyond the rehearsal room.

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Tune in, and have your thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself with your related ideas and experiences on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com Also, don’t forget to grab a reading rope for your classroom wall from the shop! Music Reading Rope

Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Bonus MaterialsChoralosophy Community BlogMerch Store!Visit Kaleidescope Today! www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok! For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

Sign up for an annual membership and save over $50 by entering Choralosophy at checkout! Save 15% on monthly or annual subscriptions.Find Ryan’s Article:

Intergroup Contact and ChoirDownloadRyan Luhrs is Associate Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory, NC. In that role, he directs the Lenoir-Rhyne A Cappella Choir, the university’s flagship touring choral ensemble, coordinates the Sacred Music Program, teaches courses in choral music education, and co-leads the Lenoir-Rhyne Summer Youth Music Camp. He also frequently teaches a course on fine arts and social change in the general curriculum.

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comLuhrs is also the Artistic Director/Conductor of the Hickory Choral Society, a 100-voice volunteer chorus, and serves as Music Director/Organist at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church in Hickory.

Prior to Hickory, Luhrs taught at Andrew College in Cuthbert, GA, where he oversaw the music program. He holds a Ph.D. in Choral Conducting & Music Education from Florida State University, a Masters of Sacred Music degree from Luther Seminary (with St. Olaf College), and a B.A. in Music from Luther College. Prior to graduate study, Luhrs taught music in public schools for five years in Iowa and Minnesota. He has served as a church choir director and organist for congregations in Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, Georgia, and North Carolina. He was also Stage Band Director and Tour Director with the Kids from Wisconsin from 2005 to 2010 and sang with the Minneapolis-based National Lutheran Choir from 2008 to 2012.

Great deals, speedy shipping, and back to school sales at SheetMusicPlus!A proponent of using singing in groups to break down social barriers, Luhrs has co-organized choral festivals in rural Minnesota, southwestern Georgia, Tallahassee, FL, Hickory, NC, and Hammond, LA. His doctoral dissertation entitled Singing for Social Harmony: Choir Member Perceptions During Intergroup Contact investigated how choral music functions in settings where people of diverse backgrounds are present. Related research was published in the February 2017 issue of The Choral Journal and presented at the 2016 Chorus America national conference, the 2016, 2018, and 2020 Southeastern American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) Conferences, 2024 North Carolina ACDA conference, and the 2015 Tallahassee Sacred Music Conference. In 2018, he co-produced with Dr. Frances Fonza the AVoice4Peace Concert in Louisville, KY

RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!

.

  View this profile on Instagram      Choralosophy Podcast (@choralosophy) • Instagram photos and videos

View Details

The US is a cultural exporter, and often times, we don’t do a great job of importing. I find it fascinating and valuable, as an American, to seek out stories from around the world. As a American choir director, it is easy to assume that the way choral music functions in our culture is “normal.” So, let’s broaden our horizons by talking with Javiera Lara Salvador, a talented choral conductor from Chile, who brings valuable insights about choral music and education in her country. Javiera walks me through her journey, beginning with her discovery of singing in school and continuing to her studies in choral conducting in Santiago. She shares how choral music education in Chile offers unique pathways, though opportunities, such as full-time choir teaching, remain limited to nonexistent .

We also explored the vibrant choral scene in Santiago, including community choirs supported by local municipalities, and the fascinating repertoire that blends traditional Chilean music with influences from around the world. We discuss her work with “Voces de Vitacura,” a community choir with members spanning generations, and University Choir at the University of Adolfo Ibáñez and the Taktus Ensemble.

Our discussion touched on the parallels and contrasts between music education in Chile and the United States, highlighting the privilege of access to music education and the universal challenges faced by choir directors. Javiera even shared her enthusiasm for Latin American composers like Modesta Bor and Cesar Alejandro Carrillo, sparking a discussion about the joy of integrating diverse musical traditions, and pushing boundaries of the art form while honoring its traditions.

If you’ve ever been curious about the global choral community or want to celebrate the joy of making music with others, this episode is for you. Let’s dive in!

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Tune in, and have your thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself with your related ideas and experiences on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com Also, don’t forget to grab a reading rope for your classroom wall from the shop! Music Reading Rope

Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Bonus MaterialsChoralosophy Community BlogMerch Store!Transcripción del Episodio en EspañolDownloadVisit Kaleidescope Today! www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok! For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

Sign up for an annual membership and save over $50 by entering Choralosophy at checkout! Save 15% on monthly or annual subscriptions.Choirs recommended by Javiera:

Ignis Camerata

Coro de Camara de Copiapó

Conjunto de Madrigalistas de Viña del Mar

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comJaviera Lara Salvador is a renowned choral conductor with an outstanding academic background. She began her career by earning a Bachelor’s degree in Music Theory from the University of Chile, followed by a specialization leading to the Professional Title of Choral Conductor. She later pursued a Master’s in Musical Arts with a focus on Choral Conducting at Universidad Mayor, graduating with the highest distinction.

Javiera is the founder and current leader of the Taktus Vocal Ensemble, a group dedicated to performing diverse vocal repertoire ranging from classical to popular and folkloric-rooted music, with a strong emphasis on works from the 19th century to contemporary creations. She also directs the Adolfo Ibáñez University Choir, a group she has led since 2022, bringing together students, faculty, and staff through choral singing.

She serves as Associate Director and Coordinator of the team of conductors for the “Voces de Vitacura” Community Choir, a program of the Vitacura Cultural Corporation that annually offers over 200 local residents the experience of performing in a large choral concert. Additionally, Javiera has worked as Choirmaster for the productions of Lord of the Rings in Concert and Gladiator Live, held at Movistar Arena.

Great deals, speedy shipping, and back to school sales at SheetMusicPlus!A significant part of her career has been dedicated to premiering works by renowned Chilean and Latin American composers at prestigious festivals and events, such as the CopiU Festival, the Contemporary Music Festival of the University of Chile’s Music Department, and the Sacred Music Encounter at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile.

In the field of education, Javiera has built a solid career in institutions such as the Music Institute of Universidad Alberto Hurtado, where she currently teaches, as well as the Music Institute of the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile and the Music Department of the Metropolitan University of Educational Sciences. She has taught both theoretical music subjects and courses in choral practice and conducting.

RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!As the founder of the Taktus Cultural Foundation, Javiera stands out as a leader in the development and promotion of choral music in Chile.

.

  View this profile on Instagram      Choralosophy Podcast (@choralosophy) • Instagram photos and videos

View Details

There is a paradox between performance and pedagogy. Are we teaching our ensembles to perform? Or are we teaching them skills that LEAD them to become performers? Is it time for a paradigm shift? This week, I am thrilled to bring you a fascinating conversation with Dr. Andrew Schmidt, an accomplished music educator and researcher. Andrew’s passion for music cognition and educational PROCESS takes us on a deep dive into the relationship between learning music, performance, and cognitive development.

Together, we unpack the challenges of conducting meaningful research in our field, the nuanced differences between instrumental and vocal instruction, and the power of teaching students the why behind the what in music education. Often times, ensemble music teachers feel the pressure to put the performance on the calendar and then sprint!

This episode is about more than just music; it’s about helping students connect the dots, fostering executive function, and balancing the process of learning with the magic of performance. It’s about TEACHING. Andrew also shares some thought-provoking ideas on teaching powerful knowledge in rehearsals and rethinking how we engage students with music.

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Tune in, and have your thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself with your related ideas and experiences on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com Also, don’t forget to grab a reading rope for your classroom wall from the shop! Music Reading Rope

Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Bonus MaterialsChoralosophy Community BlogMerch Store!Visit Kaleidescope Today! www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok! For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

Sign up for an annual membership and save over $50 by entering Choralosophy at checkout! Save 15% on monthly or annual subscriptions.Andrew Schmidt in faculty at Kennesaw State University where he teaches in the school of music and musical theater program. He is also part of the music education faculty at Georgia State Univesity where he teaches choral methods. Andrew is also a freelance singer, and conductor, as well as the founder and Artistic Director of EarlyBird, a professional chamber chorus, Voces Altum, an advanced treble chorus, and Music Director of the Summer Singers of Atlanta. He holds a PhD in Music Education from Georgia State University, an M.M. in Choral Conducting from the University of Washington as well as a B.M.E. from Northwestern University, Evanston, Il. Andrew recently achieved his certificate of Estill Voice Figure Proficiency. He holds a Brain and Behaviors Fellowship through the GSU Neuroscience program.

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comAndrew’s research examines the intersection of vocal and choral pedagogy with an emphasis on building individual and group multivocality (where a person’s musical identity matches their individual identity). In practice, by teaching multivocality through a rigorous pedagogical framework, he hopes to rectify academic inequities in music education.

Andrew sings bass with professional choirs like Kinnara, The Thirteen, The Santa Fe Desert Chorale, and The Crossing. He can be found on recordings by both Kinnara (Provenance) and The Thirteen (Truth & Fable).

Great deals, speedy shipping, and back to school sales at SheetMusicPlus!RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!

.

  View this profile on Instagram      Choralosophy Podcast (@choralosophy) • Instagram photos and videos

View Details

Enneagram study has been used to heal families, relationships, work places and more. It is also used by individuals seeking to simply have a better relationship with themselves. In this episode, we explore the possible uses of this system for understanding human motivation in ensembles, classrooms and even in music making. In this episode, I’m thrilled to sit down with Sarah McMahill for a thought-provoking conversation about the fascinating intersections between the Enneagram, music, and personal growth. In the opening segment of the podcast, I make a short presentation on “The Math of the Enneagram” and its implications on group dynamics and classroom management. Then, Sarah takes us on a journey through her experiences with this powerful personality framework, sharing how it has deepened her understanding of herself, her students, and her colleagues.

Enneagram and MusicDownloadSarah is vulnerable about how the Enneagram provided clarity during challenging moments in her life, including its role in mental and physical wellbeing. We discuss everything from the alignment of the body’s physical centers with Enneagram principles, to how understanding stress responses can help manage stage fright and other performance challenges. We even touch on the connections between the Enneagram and music theory, exploring ideas like the tritone as a metaphor for growth and change, and Sarah’s creative process in writing a song cycle inspired by the nine Enneagram types.

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Tune in, and have your thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself with your related ideas and experiences on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com Also, don’t forget to grab a reading rope for your classroom wall from the shop! Music Reading Rope

Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Bonus MaterialsChoralosophy Community BlogMerch Store!Visit Kaleidescope Today! www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok! For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

Sign up for an annual membership and save over $50 by entering Choralosophy at checkout! Save 15% on monthly or annual subscriptions.Sarah McMahill has woven their three businesses together (Heart to Hands Myofascial (MFR) Massage, Kintsugi Studios & Publications, and Dragonfly Enneagram Center) to create custom services as Wellness Weaving. Wellness Weaving provides mind-body coaching using experiential methods. These methods include myofascial massage, the enneagram, and music & the arts to engage our whole being as a way of understanding and experiencing how our hearts, bodies, and minds are connected.

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comHEART TO HANDS MFR MASSAGE
Sarah is an ABMP Certified Massage Therapist and Nationally Board Certified Massage Therapist. They are skilled in working with musicians, performers and people living with chronic pain by utilizing myofascial release therapy, craniosacral therapy, manual lymphatic drainage, fascial counterstrain, energy/meditation work, trigger point therapy, and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitated stretching. They’ve been in private practice since 2004.

KINTSUGI STUDIOS & PUBLICATIONS
Member of ASCAP, IAWM, and ACDA.
Sarah studied music education at Doane College with 2 music scholarships before transferring to SMSU. They have been taking composition lessons with Raphael Fusco. They played clarinet with the St. Anthony Civic Orchestra (2004-2019), occasionally involved with community theater productions, sang with Calliope Women’s Chorus (2004-2011) and have been singing with One Voice Mixed Chorus since 2011. They offer voice lessons with a focus on assessing and releasing vocal and related structural tension. Earlier this year they won Soli Chamber Ensemble’s emerging composers competition along with 29 other talented composers.
They started Kintsugi Studios & Publications to self-publish their music, poetry, and other writings. In their art studies, they came across something called Kintsugi. Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery by mending the areas of breakage with lacquer dusted or mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum. As a philosophy, it treats breakage and repair as part of the history of an object, rather than something to disguise. What they share are parts of their history, methods of their healing, and the journey they’re on.

Great deals, speedy shipping, and back to school sales at SheetMusicPlus!DRAGONFLY ENNEAGRAM CENTER
Sarah originally learned about the enneagram in 2000. It wasn’t until 2011 when they took a deep dive into the enneagram. (That’s a story for another place.) They received enneagram teacher trainings through Full Circle Enneagram, Dynamic NLP Enneagram Training through Changeworks, and Moving Forward Australia. They have studied with Russ Hudson, Andrea Isaacs, and Catherine Bell. They provide enneagram coaching and online workshops. Some of the workshops are alongside Roland Legge and they have created on-demand videos. They are an Accredited Professional through the International Enneagram Association. Sarah is among the pioneers of incorporating bodywork, the enneagram, and music.

RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!

.

  View this profile on Instagram      Choralosophy Podcast (@choralosophy) • Instagram photos and videos

View Details

2024 comes to a close this week! What a ride its been. This episode features highlights of YOUR favorite episodes of the year, as well as a preview of a new Choralosophy Community blog advocating for a possibly new way of viewing “Merit” and “Rigor” in music education.The top episode of the year was my coverage, with the brave help of Michal Dawson Connor, of the debacle that unfolded at All Saints Episcopal in Pasadena. “Excluded in the Name of Inclusion” was a difficult, but necessary conversation, and was even covered on one of the world’s biggest podcasts “Blocked and Reported.”

The next episode falls into the category of “Free PD” that you should turn in to your school district if you are a teacher. This episode built our vocabulary around concepts related to choral intonation and sound building. James Jordan helped us kick off our new GIA/Walton series with a bang! Next up, in the third spot was another show that generated a healthy amount of controversy. It stemmed from an article written in the Choral Journal advocating for the removal of Sight Singing from All State Choir assessments. I disagreed with the suggestion vehemently, and invited the author, Dr. Marshaun Hyman to join me and Dr. Chantae Pittman in a good faith discussion. Some common ground was found, but I am not sure any minds were changed.

Rounding out the top 10 episodes in terms of total listens/views was a fantastic example of the diversity of topics explored on this show. From nuanced discussions of the ways diversity impacts our music making environments, to practical ideas for music classrooms explained and demonstrated, to vocal pedagogy gems, to the adolescent boys AND girls changing voices and brain development of musicians.

Chukwuebuka Ezeakacha on ways to make the music of Africa accessible to choirs of the West, while maintaining authenticity.
Anita Collins of “Bigger Better Brains” with a summary of the research on neurological benefits of music learning, and why choir gets left out of that research.
David Jones joins me to share a jam packed episode on vocal pedagogy focusing on exercises and warm ups that are helpful for beginning AND advanced singers.
Then, a pair of episodes really climbed the download latter this fall that were generated from within my classroom. One walked the audience through the process I have developed for assessing a new music reader’s appropriate “level” for reading music alone. The other is a peak in to my choral warm ups!
Rounding out the top 10, and I swear I am not making this up…are TWO episodes on the adolescent changing voice. Both Bridget Sweet and Martin Ashley are experts in this area and offer masterful explanations of the things we should know and consider when caring for developing young singers.

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Tune in, and have your thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself with your related ideas and experiences on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com Also, don’t forget to grab a reading rope for your classroom wall from the shop! Music Reading Rope

Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Bonus MaterialsChoralosophy Community BlogMerch Store!Visit Kaleidescope Today! www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok! For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

New Blog on Choralosophy Community! Sign up for an annual membership and save over $50 by entering Choralosophy at checkout! Save 15% on monthly or annual subscriptions.Below is an excerpt. Read the rest for FREE at Choralosophy.Substack.com

We don’t have to choose between rigor and accessibility, and we don’t have to choose between evaluating something as “great” or “excellent” and valuing every rung of the music making skill ladder.

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comIn music education, we have long embraced the belief that success hinges solely on talent and hard work. According to this view, if a student is talented and diligent, they will inevitably achieve success—whether by joining an All-State ensemble, securing a college scholarship, or pursuing a distinguished performing career. This framework, which has produced many remarkable musicians from diverse backgrounds, seems to be the ultimate formula for success.

However, this perspective has always overlooked a crucial element: luck. Factors such as geographic location, financial resources, race, gender, and access to quality instruction play a significant role in determining outcomes. While raising awareness of these disparities has gained traction in recent years, I believe we need to address an essential aspect that is often neglected.

Great deals, speedy shipping, and back to school sales at SheetMusicPlus!We must acknowledge two key truths:

1) No perfect meritocratic system exists: It is a fallacy to believe that every choir audition, or job application, or college admissions form is perfectly selecting for the “objectively” best person for each position. So, of course, this would also extend out to societal level structures. Some may simplify this phenomenon by shrugging their shoulders and saying “life isn’t fair.” There is a time and a place for this shoulder shrugging. Sometimes we have to shrug to preserve our sanity. But, in my view there is NO appropriate time for that type of disengagement from inequities to lead us to create a mythology in our minds about “the perfect meritocratic system.”

2) Merit itself, and how to measure it, is not the problem. Many argue that because not everyone has equal access to rigorous music education, we should evaluate students based on different criteria. Indeed, we lack a universal standard for what constitutes a “great” musician, and differing opinions on this can be beneficial. In fact, I would argue that it is the fact that such a question would generate multiple answers, that makes this such an important topic for educators to discuss.

Subscribe to the Blog FREERyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!

.

  View this profile on Instagram      Choralosophy Podcast (@choralosophy) • Instagram photos and videos

View Details

Fads like “learning styles,” “restorative justice,” “inquiry based learning” and more, versus Cognitive Load Theory, Explicit Instruction etc. Marcie Samayoa’s experience as an ESL/immigrant student has shaped her view on teaching at risk American kids. in this episode, I’m joined by Marcie Samayoa—a dedicated chemistry teacher and passionate advocate for evidence-based education.

We tackle some of the biggest debates in modern teaching, starting with one myth we’ve all heard: learning styles. Are you a “visual learner”? An “auditory learner”? Turns out, science doesn’t back that up. Marcie and I break down why this myth still lingers and explore what actually works in the classroom, from explicit instruction to cognitive load theory.

But we don’t stop there. We dive into real struggles teachers face every day—burnout, moral injury, and the overwhelming pressure to implement new methods without proper support. Marcie shares her frustration: Why are foundational skills like cognitive load and explicit instruction self-taught instead of core training for educators?

We also discuss balancing inquiry-based learning with strong fundamentals—something that resonates in both science and music. Whether it’s balancing chemical equations or teaching a choir to sight-read, we agree: students need clear, structured guidance before they can truly explore.

Finally, we hit on a tough question: Is prioritizing social-emotional learning over academics helping or hurting our students? Marcie and I discuss how teachers can support students and stay focused on their academic success—without burning out or overstepping their roles.

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Tune in, and have your thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself with your related ideas and experiences on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com Also, don’t forget to grab a reading rope for your classroom wall from the shop! Music Reading Rope

Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Bonus MaterialsChoralosophy Community BlogMerch Store!Visit Kaleidescope Today! www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok! For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

Sign up for an annual membership and save over $50 by entering Choralosophy at checkout! Save 15% on monthly or annual subscriptions.Marcie Samayoa began her teaching journey at UCLA, where she earned a B.S. in Biology with a minor in Science Education in 2015. She started teaching as an intern in 2016 and went on to complete her teaching credential at CSUN in 2018. Currently, she is finalizing her National Board Certification while teaching high school Chemistry.

Over the course of her nine years in the classroom, Marcie has encountered many students who feel intimidated by science before they even begin. Comments like “Science is not my thing” are common among her students, and similar sentiments often arise from friends pursuing healthcare careers who claim, “I can’t be a doctor. Science is too difficult.”

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comThese statements resonate deeply with Marcie, as they remind her of her own struggles at UCLA. Despite spending long hours in the library, she initially faced challenges on exams. It was then that she realized hard work alone wasn’t enough—she needed to study smarter. Through research, she discovered cognitive science techniques that transformed her approach to learning. This shift not only helped her overcome academic hurdles but also earned her a spot on the Dean’s Honors List by her senior year.

Now, Marcie is passionate about helping students overcome their fear of science, guiding them toward strategies that build confidence and success in the subject.

Great deals, speedy shipping, and back to school sales at SheetMusicPlus!@SciInTheMaking on X

@scientistsinthemaking.com on BlueSky

RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!

.

  View this profile on Instagram      Choralosophy Podcast (@choralosophy) • Instagram photos and videos

View Details

The “Classical” or Concert Music tradition has traditionally relied on a nobility or an institution for funding. This is a challenge in our modern world that has seen such a massive boom of popular and commercial genres, that reject this model. Where does that leave us today?I sit down with Samuel Andreyev—a brilliant composer, educator, YouTube and Podcast host, and one of the most insightful voices on the state of music and the arts today.

We’re diving headfirst into a big question: has American pop music—jazz, blues, rock, and film scores—overshadowed classical traditions so much that icons like Leonard Bernstein could never emerge again? Samuel and I explore how the overwhelming dominance of pop culture has made it harder than ever for classical music to capture mainstream attention in the U.S., leaving it to fight for survival in niche spaces.

But that’s just the beginning. Samuel shares his fascinating journey from studying at the Paris Conservatory to becoming a French citizen and a digital content creator, where his unique insights now inspire students and composers around the world. We talk about the internet’s double-edged sword—how it creates opportunities for artists but also floods the market with distractions, making it harder than ever to stand out.

We also tackle the big challenges of music education: how to keep classical music relevant, why today’s musicians need to be as entrepreneurial as they are talented, and the dangers of relying too much on outdated institutions or academic pathways.

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Tune in, and have your thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself with your related ideas and experiences on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com Also, don’t forget to grab a reading rope for your classroom wall from the shop! Music Reading Rope

Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Bonus MaterialsChoralosophy Community BlogMerch Store!Visit Kaleidescope Today! www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok! For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

Sign up for an annual membership and save over $50 by entering Choralosophy at checkout! Save 15% on monthly or annual subscriptions.Musicworks magazine has said of Samuel Andreyev: ‘the music’s tautness conceals profound eccentricity: wild colouristic imagination and quick, perverse wit come together in dramatic shifts of hue.’ Born in Kincardine, Canada in 1981, Andreyev studied composition with Allain Gaussin and Frédéric Durieux in Paris, and rose to prominence in the 2010s when he was awarded the Henri Dutilleux Prize (for ‘Night Division’), was named artist-in-residence at the Casa de Velázquez in Madrid, and was given the opportunity to record his first portrait disc at Radio France. Since then, his chamber, orchestral, vocal and solo works have been performed, recorded and broadcast throughout the world. Major works include the violin concerto ‘Trois pierres à ne pas jeter’, written for Max Haft and Ensemble Contrechamps; the chamber orchestra piece ‘Contingency Icons’, written for the Nouvel Ensemble Moderne; and the two cantatas, Iridescent Notation (on poems by Tom Raworth) and In Glow of Like Seclusion (on poems by J. H. Prynne), written for Ukho Ensemble (Kyiv) and Ensemble Proton Bern, respectively. In addition, his music has been featured on concert tours in Canada, the USA, Mexico and Japan.

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comAlso a highly sought-after teacher, commentator on music and public speaker, Samuel Andreyev’s YouTube channel, which features videos about composition as well as interviews with prominent musical figures, has become a fixture of the music world, viewed by millions. In addition, he presents programs on music for BBC Radio 3.

Great deals, speedy shipping, and back to school sales at SheetMusicPlus!Andreyev has taught at the Haute Ecole de Musique de Genève, the Hochschule für Musik Freiburg and the Strasbourg Center of the University of Syracuse, and he has given masterclasses in countless conservatories and universities around the world. Constantly in demand as a teacher, he maintains a full schedule of private students. He is currently Vice-President of the Music Council of the Fondation Prince Pierre (Monaco).

Nearly all of Samuel Andreyev’s works have been commercially recorded, with four portrait discs released so far and many recordings of individual works available from various labels. A multidimensional artist, he has published several books of poetry and maintains an active practice as a photographer.

RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!He has made France his home since 2003 and currently lives in Strasbourg. His scores are published by Edition Impronta (Mannheim).

.

  View this profile on Instagram      Choralosophy Podcast (@choralosophy) • Instagram photos and videos

View Details

One of the core functions of a choir director or vocal music educator is to teach people to love and understand their voice. This episode is the latest addition to the Choralosophy Vocal Pedagogy Suite.Voice teacher David Jones joins me this week to discuss some tips, approaches and even some exercises and language to try in your rehearsals with singers of ALL ages. In today’s episode, we have the privilege of hearing from David, a dedicated vocal pedagogue who began his journey as a high school singer in choirs. David shares his experiences studying under renowned vocal teachers like Alan Lindquest and emphasizes the vital balance of vocal registration to avoid strain, keeping the voice healthy.

We’ll delve into the concept of “perfect attack” or coordinated onset, which is crucial for both young singers and adults. David explains how a coordinated onset leads to better breath support and control. We spend a lot of time discussing ways to help singers release tension allowing for freely legato singing.

Demonstrations and descriptions of several exercises that were new to me, had me excited to try some new ones in my class! As we discussed teaching beginning singers, David emphasized the importance of establishing good habits early on and shared his unique methods, like various tension transfer exercises.

I also really enjoyed our discussion toward the end about “technique phobia” and the concern that technical perfection often gets associated with dry or emotionless performance. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t have to!

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Tune in, and have your thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself with your related ideas and experiences on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com Also, don’t forget to grab a reading rope for your classroom wall from the shop! Music Reading Rope

Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Bonus MaterialsChoralosophy Community BlogMerch Store!Visit Kaleidescope Today! www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok! For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

Sign up for an annual membership and save over $50 by entering Choralosophy at checkout! Save 15% on monthly or annual subscriptions.David L. Jones has developed an international career as author, vocal pedagogue, and teacher of singers and teachers in Europe and the U.S., having worked as guest faculty at Universities and Conservatories. His website, and his professional Facebook page, The David Jones Voice Studio, contain articles based on the concepts of Italian School with the Swedish influence. His writing reflects common issues and concerns that answer questions for both vocal instructor and vocal student.

A graduate of Texas Christian University, Mr. Jones later continued vocal research at the University of North Texas. He has also conducted scientific research at the Groningen University Hospital (Groningen, The Netherlands) and has been guest faculty at the Laboratoire de la voix voice clinic in Paris. Through his association with the medical profession (and the vocal medical research of Dr. Barbara Mathis) he has had opportunity to learn and experience how Old World vocal concepts, frequently in conjunction with voice therapy, can be therapeutic in resolving many voice disorders. He also works with professional singers referred by laryngologist Dr. Benjamin Asher in New York.

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comDavid L Jones studied the concepts of the Italian School with the Swedish influence with internationally known vocal pedagogue Allan R. Lindquest (1891-1984), who was a charter member of NATS and the American Academy of Teachers of Singing. It was through that study- period with Lindquest that David Jones learned the concepts of Lindquest’s teachers, who included Enrico Caruso, Mme. Haldis Ingebjard-Isene (last teacher of Kirsten Flagstad), Joseph Hislop (last teacher of Bjoerling), Maestro Rosati (teacher of Gigli) and Mme. Paola Novikova. As invited guest faculty at the Operahögskolan / Stockholm, David Jones had the opportunity to share the concepts that his teacher Allan Lindquest studied in Stockholm in 1938 and 1939.

Great deals, speedy shipping, and back to school sales at SheetMusicPlus!In 1983, Mr. Jones studied with Dixie Neill, instructor of Ben Hepner, and later with Evelyn Reynolds, whose instructors included Lola Fletcher (student of Herbert Witherspoon), tenor Hollis Arment, William Vennard, author of Singing: The Mechanism and the Technique, and Ralph Erolle, instructor of the well-known American soprano Arleen Auger.

David Jones has trained singers performing at such opera houses and festivals as the Metropolitan Opera, New York City Opera, San Francisco Opera, Chicago Lyric Opera, Berlin Staatsoper, Vienna Staatsoper, Opera North U.K., the Royal Opera House / Covent Garden, the Glyndebourne Opera Festival, Salzburg Festival, and L’Opera Bastille in Paris.

RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!David Jones book, “A Modern Guide to Old World Singing” was released in September / 2017. His upcoming book, “A Modern Guide to Old World Vocalization” will be released next year.

.

  View this profile on Instagram      Choralosophy Podcast (@choralosophy) • Instagram photos and videos

View Details

Nothing we do as choral singers, directors teachers, music appreciators and consumers would be possible without the “garden” that grows our young musicians in elementary school. Music as a language grows best in the early years. Let’s water the garden.This week, Elementary general music and choir director, Chy Billings from Olathe, KS joins me in my home studio for a lively discussion about our PRIMARY constituency. The elementary school music student.

Why do we teach music to kids in elementary? The idea of a “feeder program” misses the point? We build musicianship skills in order for kids to learn to MAKE music. Builds the brain, the spirit etc. But without opportunity to put skill into practice, I fear we lose students to the belief that music learning is not a practical skill. Young kids need to perform using their skills they are learning in music that empower THEM as makers of music.

We discuss the building blocks to establishing musicality, musicianship, and music literacy in the elementary music classroom (incorporating how musicianship and literacy are addressed in Orff-Schulwerk and Kodaly-inspired lessons). We also touch the tricky topic of transfer of skills into Middle and High School ensembles. It’s tricky because it can’t really be separated from the reality of recruiting and the concept of “the feeder program.”

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Tune in, and have your thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself with your related ideas and experiences on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com Also, don’t forget to grab a reading rope for your classroom wall from the shop! Music Reading Rope

Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Bonus MaterialsChoralosophy Community BlogMerch Store!Visit Kaleidescope Today! www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok! For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

Sign up for an annual membership and save over $50 by entering Choralosophy at checkout! Save 15% on monthly or annual subscriptions.Chy serves as the music teacher and choir director at Arbor Creek Elementary in Olathe, Kansas, as well as the assistant director of the Children’s Choir at Church of the Resurrection’s Leawood campus. Additionally, he directs the Allegro Vivo children’s choir (grades 3–6), inspiring young singers to develop their musical potential.

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comChy holds a Master’s degree in Music from Wichita State University, is certified in the Orff-Schulwerk approach, and has partial certification in Kodály. His training also includes advanced vocal studies at Bowling Green State University. In addition to his work as an educator, Chy occasionally performs with opera and musical theater companies, blending his passion for music education with real-world performance experience.

Through his diverse roles, Chy is dedicated to fostering a love of music and building strong foundations for young musicians

Great deals, speedy shipping, and back to school sales at SheetMusicPlus!RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!

.

  View this profile on Instagram      Choralosophy Podcast (@choralosophy) • Instagram photos and videos

View Details

We have had an influx of new listeners, subscribers and Curious George’s to the show over the last week. Welcome! This program began in February of 2019, and contains some mission and values episodes from early on, but boy howdy has it grown and changed since then. In this short episode, I will take listeners through a “what to expect and why” discussion. Over the last week, I have gotten more messages, questions, and had more conversations than ever. So, as we prepare for our 6th Anniversary this winter, this may serve as a calling card, or resource for audience members to share when you tell your friends about why you value this program, and want it to continue for another 6 years! Regular programming, guests, PD topics, composers, and so much more will continue next week!

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Tune in, and have your thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself with your related ideas and experiences on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com Also, don’t forget to grab a reading rope for your classroom wall from the shop! Music Reading Rope

Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Bonus MaterialsChoralosophy Community BlogMerch Store!Visit Kaleidescope Today! www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok! For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

Sign up for an annual membership and save over $50 by entering Choralosophy at checkout! Save 15% on monthly or annual subscriptions.Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comGreat deals, speedy shipping, and back to school sales at SheetMusicPlus!RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!

.

  View this profile on Instagram      Choralosophy Podcast (@choralosophy) • Instagram photos and videos

View Details

I plan to keep it is short as possible. Presenting what I see as three categories of this controversy ranging from legit criticisms I need to seriously consider, to misunderstandings to things that just aren’t true. This weekend an argument or debate of sorts erupted on a post of mine on my personal FB page. “Kids from families of all political philosophies are welcome in my class. Their parents are welcome at all of our events.” I stand by this statement.

But some commenters were not not happy with it, and took the opportunity to use some pretty strong language in opposition to my message. But that argumentation has turned to some very concrete and specific accusations and criticisms. I will address the ones that are fair, and the ones that crossed a line.

In this response to Arreon Harley-Emerson of Equity Sings, I address: * 1. The terrible racist message sent to his website on my behalf * 2. My ill timed, and ill considered social media videos on the election. * 3. Arreon’s choice to take screenshots of various things not said by me, plus ONE thing I said published without context, and tie these things together into one new story. This was unfair and dishonest. * 4. My process for creating clips and quotes for show promotion, and ways I can be more sensitive in the future to guests and their needs and desires. I can get better at this.

My belief that Arreon has crossed a line in threatening to “out” 2700 colleagues who are members of my private FB group. This is not ok.

Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Bonus MaterialsChoralosophy Community BlogMerch Store!

View Details

The quest to advocate for music education as integral to all stages of human life, continues on Choralosophy.I am excited to welcome Dr. Peju Simoyan, an addiction medicine physician with a fascinating musical journey. Growing up in a Nigerian diplomatic family, Dr. Simoyan has always held a passion for music, even with limited formal training, and later in life, she rekindled her desire for piano training.

Her work took an innovative turn when she began incorporating music into group sessions at an inpatient addiction facility, where it became a powerful therapeutic tool, even inspiring patients to compose songs as part of their recovery.

Together, we explore the deep connections between music, mental health, and medicine, discussing how learning and addiction share similar neural pathways, the potential of music therapy for chronic pain, and the benefits of musical training for both personal and professional development. Through our conversation, we highlight music’s profound impact on mental health and personal growth, making a case for its broader integration in both medical and educational fields. This episode offers a thoughtful exploration of how music shapes minds, heals, and inspires across disciplines.

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Tune in, and have your thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself with your related ideas and experiences on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com Also, don’t forget to grab a reading rope for your classroom wall from the shop! Music Reading Rope

Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Bonus MaterialsChoralosophy Community BlogMerch Store!Visit Kaleidescope Today! www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok! For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

Sign up for an annual membership and save over $50 by entering Choralosophy at checkout! Save 15% on monthly or annual subscriptions.Dr. Simoyan is an addiction medicine physician and holds an appointment as a full professor in the department of psychiatry at Drexel University College of Medicine. She also holds adjunct faculty positions at Penn State University College of Medicine and Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine. She was the Founding Medical and Executive Director of Research at Caron Treatment Centers and the program director for the addiction medicine fellowship at Geisinger Marworth prior to her current position. She was also a founding faculty member at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine.

Dr. Simoyan earned her medical degree from Penn State University College of Medicine, receiving the Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award at graduation. She completed an internship in psychiatry/family medicine at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center/Western Psychiatric Institute and her family medicine residency at the Penn State/Good Samaritan Hospital Family and Community Medicine Residency program, graduating with the Family Medicine Resident Award for Scholarship.

Prior to her medical training, Dr. Simoyan received a dental degree from the University of Ibadan College of Medicine in Nigeria and a Master of Public Health degree from the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health. She is board certified in Family Medicine and Addiction Medicine and has contributed to international public health education as a Fulbright specialist in Nigeria and an Erasmus Mundus scholar in France and the U.K. She has also volunteered on medical mission projects in Nigeria and Haiti.

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comDr. Simoyan has several peer-reviewed publications and has previously served on the editorial board of Medical Education Online, the Publications Council of the American Society of Addiction Medicine and the addiction medicine sub-board of the American Board of Preventive Medicine.

She was the Founding Editor in Chief of Black Diamonds and Silver Linings, literary journals published by Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine and Reading Hospital, respectively.

A member of the American Medical Women Association’s Music and Medicine committee, Dr. Simoyan has curated a photographic exhibit featuring prominent women in medicine. As someone committed to bridging the gap between the medical sciences and the arts, she has served on both the research and the medical humanities Graduate Medical Education subcommittees at Reading Hospital/Tower Health.

Dr. Simoyan’s scholarships and awards include the Emerging Leader award from the Family Medicine Education Consortium (2010) and the American Association of Medical College’s Herbert Nickens Faculty Fellowship (2012). She also received the Humanism in Medicine Award from the Arnold Gold Foundation (2022) and the Award of Excellence in Humanitarian Services from Pro-Health International (2022). She is a fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American Medical Women’s Association and a Distinguished Fellow of the American Society of Addiction Medicine.

Great deals, speedy shipping, and back to school sales at SheetMusicPlus!She has combined her interests in writing and photography in several books, including a workbook for patients in recovery, Transformation and Recovery – lessons from the butterfly. Dr. Simoyan strongly believes in the need to transform education and healthcare, with a focus on creativity, problem solving and integration of the arts and sciences.

Addendum –

RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!Her latest book, “I Played My Best for Him! – The Inspiring Stories Behind the Little Drummer Boy and Other Christmas Favorites” will be released on November 18, 2024. This book features the stories behind the songs on her Christmas CD,

“Peju Sings! The Little Drummer Boy and Other Christmas Favorites”

.

  View this profile on Instagram      Choralosophy Podcast (@choralosophy) • Instagram photos and videos

View Details

“Filling in the Gaps,” simply refers to a premise I believe we should consider: 1. No Theory gets it all right. 2. All good theories get SOMETHING right. 3. We should be focused on filling in the gaps in Music EducationAre you an Gordon MLT devotée? A Kodály-guy? A Tonic Solfa Curwenator? How about a Takadimician? I think all of those frameworks are wrong. But also right!

In addition to these concepts, you will get a rare peak behind the scenes at creating a popular music education podcast, and why you might think you should try to make your own! But, you probably shouldn’t.

Recently, I went to share some thoughts with a meeting of the Kodaly Educators of Texas at Magnolia High School. Shout out to Thea Persinger for the invite! This is the audio AND video version of excerpts from my “Filling in the Gaps” presentation. It is based on the premise that all music education or pedagogical theories have important insights. But, of course, they all miss something. This is my attempt to fill in one of our most common music ed gaps: The Science of Reading, and how it can inform our pedagogy if COMBINED with Kodaly, Edwin Gordon, Curwen and the others.

Most popular music education theories were generated during, and draw on practices of a time when music education was almost entirely practiced on the privileged and/or kids that showed high musical aptitude at a young age. Almost any theory of music education works if you pre-select for talent in advance…

We know SO much more than we did 50 years ago about the brain and the most impactful ways to maximize its function. This presentation provides IMPORTANT context to supplement episode 219 on the importance of individual assessment, and 220 with Dr. Anita Collins, expert researcher on music and the brain.

As always, the slides to this presentation and all of my past ones, are in the shared Google folder!

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Tune in, and have your thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself with your related ideas and experiences on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com Also, don’t forget to grab a reading rope for your classroom wall from the shop! Music Reading Rope

Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Bonus MaterialsChoralosophy Community BlogMerch Store!Visit Kaleidescope Today! www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok! For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

Sign up for an annual membership and save over $50 by entering Choralosophy at checkout! Save 15% on monthly or annual subscriptions.

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.com

Great deals, speedy shipping, and back to school sales at SheetMusicPlus!

RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!.

  View this profile on Instagram      Choralosophy Podcast (@choralosophy) • Instagram photos and videos

View Details

The music of South Africa is not unlike its people. It is built on layers. Layers of complexity, all rich with meaning, and difficult to understand from the outside. Michael Barrett loves his country and its music. His work proves it. I have long been a fan of Michael Barrett, as well as an admirer of the way the South African people have vigorously pursued social progress in my lifetime. So, this episode was a double whammy of excitement for me.

In this episode, I sit down with Michael Barrett, a leading voice in South African choral music, to dive into both his personal journey and professional experiences. We explore how his love for music began with his mother, a concert pianist, and his time with the Drakensberg Boys Choir, which paved the way for his academic career at the University of Pretoria. Michael reflects on the importance of hard work and dedication over talent alone, and we discuss the unique challenges facing choral music education in South Africa, from generational shifts to the lingering impact of apartheid. We also dig into the role of cultural integration and music’s power to bridge divides, including Michael’s experience with arranging African music for choirs and navigating cultural sensitivity. This conversation offers a rich blend of personal stories, insights on choral conducting, and the importance of music in fostering cultural appreciation and unity. It’s a chance to really get to know Michael and the world he navigates in choral music.

Help Tuks Get to ACDA in Dallas!!Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Tune in, and have your thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself with your related ideas and experiences on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com

Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Bonus MaterialsChoralosophy Community BlogMerch Store!Visit Kaleidescope Today! www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok! For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

Sign up for an annual membership and save over $50 by entering Choralosophy at checkout! Save 15% on monthly or annual subscriptions.Dr Michael Joseph Barrett is the conductor of the University of Pretoria (Tuks) Camerata and a senior lecturer in Choral Conducting in the Department of Music. He was a member of the Drakensberg Boys’ Choir from 1992 to 1997. He obtained the degrees BMus in Performing Arts (cum laude) in 2005 and MMus (Performing Arts), specialising in choral conducting, in 2008, both from the University of Pretoria. He holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCE) and a Performance Licentiate in Singing, both received in 2008, from Unisa. In 2017, Michael was awarded a Doctorate of Music degree (Performing Arts) in Choral Performance by the University of Pretoria.

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comMichael’s choirs have won numerous national and international awards, as well as choral competitions all over the world, including the Grand Prix of Nations (Latvia, 2017); the 8th World Choir Games (Latvia, 2014); the St Petersburg Choral Competition (Russia, 2013); the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod (Wales, 2012); the Krakow International Advent Choral Competition (Poland, 2012); Europe and its Songs (Spain, 2010); and the International Youth Music Festival (Slovakia, 2010). In 2017, Tuks Camerata was invited to perform at the World Choral Symposium in Barcelona, Spain. The choir has released three CDs, which were all nominated for South African Music Awards.

Great deals, speedy shipping, and back to school sales at SheetMusicPlus!Michael is an active composer and arranger whose music is published internationally by Santa Barbara Music Publishers and Walton Music. He is regularly invited to present workshops and adjudicate choral competitions both locally and abroad. He is also the executive director and co-producer of Capital Singers, South Africa’s largest community choir project.

Music Reading Rope

RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!.

  View this profile on Instagram      Choralosophy Podcast (@choralosophy) • Instagram photos and videos

View Details

One of my go to TED animations to play for students at the beginning of every year is the one that explains compellingly, the story of music as the best FULL BRAIN workout. But, Choral/Vocal education is not included in that research! The researcher behind that video, is this week’s guest. Don’t miss it. Dr. Anita Collins joins me this week from Canberra, Australia. We had lively and informative discussion about the intersection of music education and neuroscience, as well as the connection between language and music.

Anita and I discussed the cognitive benefits of music education, emphasizing the importance of music for all students’ cognitive development, not just those interested in a music career. More importantly, we went into aspects of this topic that are often unknown to the general public, as well as music educators themselves. We also discussed the myths and misconceptions surrounding the topic, and the importance of flexibility in our profession in terms of “favorite methods.” Lastly, we discussed the potential benefits of research on how children learn through music, the importance of rhythm and beat in music education, and Anita’s organization, “Bigger Better Brains” efforts to advocate for music education, and how they can help YOU advocate in your community.

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Tune in, and have your thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself with your related ideas and experiences on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com

Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Bonus MaterialsChoralosophy Community BlogMerch Store!Visit Kaleidescope Today! www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok! For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

Sign up for an annual membership and save over $50 by entering Choralosophy at checkout! Save 15% on monthly or annual subscriptions.Dr. Anita Collins is a distinguished educator and author,
celebrated for her impactful work in brain development and
music education. Her seminal work, “The Music Advantage,”
offers comprehensive guidance for parents and teachers on
the role of musical learning in enhancing the developmental
stages of children across all ages.

Bigger Better Brains – https://www.biggerbetterbrains.com.au/
BBB+ membership – https://www.biggerbetterbrains.com.au/ongoing-learning
Dr Anita Collins – https://www.anitacollinsmusic.com.au/
BBB Research – https://www.biggerbetterbrains.com.au/research-updates

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.com
She is also the founder of Bigger Better Brains, a worldwide platform dedicated to advancing the understanding of music education through neuroscience. The initiative focuses on three core missions: to educate music educators globally on the brain science underpinning music learning, to empower them to disseminate this knowledge within their communities, and to enlighten parents, school leaders, and educational policymakers about the profound benefits of music education.

Great deals, speedy shipping, and back to school sales at SheetMusicPlus!
Anita’s global influence is noteworthy, particularly for her leadership in spearheading initiatives and releasing critical reports in Australia over the past five years. These efforts have markedly improved music education provision. Her influence has expanded to the UK and Ireland, where she collaborates with leading organizations to enhance the status and availability of music education for all.

Music Reading Rope

RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!.

  View this profile on Instagram      Choralosophy Podcast (@choralosophy) • Instagram photos and videos

View Details

It is my strong belief that students have a RIGHT to receive individual instruction, feedback and assessment based on individual work in every class they take in school. Even music. This past weekend I had the chance to visit with the amazing students of Magnolia High School as well as the local chapter of the Kodály Educators of Texas. In this episode, you will hear a portion of a presentation in which I outline our process of pre-testing beginning students to determine an appropriate reading level for their individual work. Theorists and researchers like Kodály, Edwin Gordon, John Curwen, and many others, have for centuries offered excellent observations and discoveries. But more recent science is now available. Can we bridge that gap?

The presentation begins in the human brain with a discussion about how humans learn to read. “What works for me” teacher response is a fallacy. What we should be seeking is “what works for kids’ brains.” There is still room for teacher individuality and approach/method within that framework. We talk about the parts of the brain used to process the various aspects of reading from decoding to recall to everything in between. You will also see some demonstrations and explanation of how I determine what SRF level is appropriate for students.

As always, Patreon and Substack paid subscribers will have access to the slides for this and past/future presentations. Members there will also find un-edited FULL versions of my presentations last week in Texas.

Come to KC and Sing Next June!Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Tune in, and have your thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself with your related ideas and experiences on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com

Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Bonus MaterialsChoralosophy Community BlogMerch Store!Visit Kaleidescope Today! www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok! For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

Sign up for an annual membership and save over $50 by entering Choralosophy at checkout! Save 15% on monthly or annual subscriptions.Science-of-Reading-ArticleDownloadEnter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comGreat deals, speedy shipping, and back to school sales at SheetMusicPlus!Music Reading Rope

RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!.

  View this profile on Instagram      Choralosophy Podcast (@choralosophy) • Instagram photos and videos

View Details

“Does the world say that you don’t look the right way? Does the world say a that you’re just not enough.” Text written by this week’s guest Kyle Pederson. One of the most powerful tools educators have is the connection of our content to the personal experiences of students.Composer Kyle Pederson is a big advocate for “co-creation” in Music classrooms. This includes the more intuitive ways like empowering singers to be involved in the creative process (composing, text-writing, etc)…but in more subtle ways too, like finding opportunities in the rehearsal for students to insert original text, or even just come to a group decision about what “story” they are telling with the piece.

In several of his scores, Kyle provides space/time for singers to include narration/spoken word…which provides more opportunity for conversation in their choral classroom, and more opportunity for singers to lean into their own creativity. In this episode, we discuss this process and its benefits for young people. We even have a brief discussion of modern politics toward the end, so stick around for that!

As always, I hope you find something useful here!

Come to KC and Sing Next June!Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Tune in, and have your thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself with your related ideas and experiences on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com

Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Bonus MaterialsChoralosophy Community BlogMerch Store!Visit Kaleidescope Today! www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok! For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

Kyle Pederson is a Minneapolis-based composer, lyricist, pianist, and educator.

He enjoys working at the intersection of the sacred and secular, and his lyrics and music invite the choir and audience to be agents of hope, grace, and compassion in the world.

Sign up for an annual membership and save over $50 by entering Choralosophy at checkout! Save 15% on monthly or annual subscriptions.Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comPederson was awarded the American Prize in Choral Composition in 2019, and the ACDA Genesis Prize in 2020. Pederson has an undergraduate degree from Augustana Universi-ty, a Masters Degree in Education from University of St. Thomas, and an MFA in Music Composition from Vermont College of Fine Art. His work is commissioned, performed,

Great deals, speedy shipping, and back to school sales at SheetMusicPlus!and recorded by community, school, and professional choirs around the world and is published by Walton, Santa Barbara, ECS, Hal Leonard, Beckenhorst, Alfred, Carl Fischer, Hinshaw, and Gentry. Additional information and links to Kyle’s music can be found at kylepederson.com

RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!.

  View this profile on Instagram      Choralosophy Podcast (@choralosophy) • Instagram photos and videos

View Details

This episode pulls wisdom from Betsy Cooke Weber, on building a culture of leadership, ownership and professionalism in our classrooms and ensembles. This loaded “how to” session comes from her appearance back in episode 45 with updated thoughts from my on how these ideas are working in my classroom.“If I were to return to K-12, I would not touch the piano.” One of the most important things we do to teach students independence, resilience and leadership in a rehearsal is to CONVINCE them that they don’t need you in order to learn the music. This takes time, and commitment to a process, and a pedagogy that is committed to this ultimate outcome.

Another crucial component is the director’s intentional structuring of rehearsals in ways that kids have the time and the resources they need to become co-creators of the music with us. We will hear Betsy’s thoughts about this as well as my reflections about some of the practices I installed since I first had this conversation.

As always, I hope you find something useful here!

Come to KC and Sing Next June!Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Tune in, and have your thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself with your related ideas and experiences on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com

Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Bonus MaterialsChoralosophy Community BlogMerch Store!Visit Kaleidescope Today! www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok! For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

Sign up for an annual membership and save over $50 by entering Choralosophy at checkout! Save 15% on monthly or annual subscriptions.Go back to Betsy’s full episode and bio! Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comGreat deals, speedy shipping, and back to school sales at SheetMusicPlus!RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!

  View this profile on Instagram      Choralosophy Podcast (@choralosophy) • Instagram photos and videos

View Details

I have published many peeks into my classroom before on the show. I have never shown you our opening class minutes before. This is where the real work happens. The “warm-up.” Or, as I would rather call it, “voice building time.”In this episode, you will have a front row seat (video version recommended on YouTube and Clips on TikTok!) to the opening 10-12 minutes of our beginning Treble, Advanced Treble, Beginning Tenor-Bass and advanced SATB curricular choirs. This of course, is a snapshot of a day and should not represent an exact facsimile of our daily routine. Because, in fact, we don’t have a “daily” routine.

Instead, I will explain through demonstration and commentary the exercises we do, why we do them, and why I believe it’s important to use “warm up” time for a wide variety of things, and to mix it up from day to day. We use this time for voice building, literacy skills, music theory, relationship building and so much more. Our classes are tragically only 44 minutes long. So, the reality is we have to pick and choose the things they have a chance to try and experience.

As always, I hope you find something useful here!

Come to KC and Sing Next June!Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Tune in, and have your thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself with your related ideas and experiences on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com

Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Bonus MaterialsChoralosophy Community BlogMerch Store!Visit Kaleidescope Today! www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok! For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

Sign up for an annual membership and save over $50 by entering Choralosophy at checkout! Save 15% on monthly or annual subscriptions.Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comGreat deals, speedy shipping, and back to school sales at SheetMusicPlus!RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!

  View this profile on Instagram      Choralosophy Podcast (@choralosophy) • Instagram photos and videos

View Details

When I work with emerging composers trying to get noticed, I ask them “What are you trying to be noticed FOR?”- Libby Larsen. Could the social media environment incentivize non-musical answers to this question?In this episode, I have the pleasure of speaking with the remarkable composer Libby Larsen about her journey into the world of music. We discuss the importance of viewing music education as a language-based approach, where understanding the “language” of music is just as critical as performance. Libby and I also explore the relationship between composition and performance, emphasizing the role of performers in bringing a composer’s work to life and the contemporary challenges that composers face in today’s music industry.

Our conversation extends to the impact of social media on artistic promotion and the pressure on composers to establish a personal brand based on identity categories at the expense of the focus on the music itself. Libby shares valuable insights from her own career, including her notable works for Oxford and some other publishers. We delve into the creation of meaningful art, the challenges of getting noticed in the industry, and the significance of staying true to one’s passion in the face of external pressures.

Visit Oxford’s Expansive Choral Catalogue!Come to KC and Sing Next June!Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Tune in, and have your thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself with your related ideas and experiences on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com

Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Bonus MaterialsChoralosophy Community BlogMerch Store!Visit Kaleidescope Today! www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok! For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

Sign up for an annual membership and save over $50 by entering Choralosophy at checkout! Save 15% on monthly or annual subscriptions.Libby Larsen, born December 24, 1950 in Wilmington, Delaware, is one of America’s most performed living composers.Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comShe has created a catalogue of over 500 works spanning virtually every genre from intimate vocal and chamber music to massive orchestral works and over 15 operas. Grammy award-winning and widely recorded, including over 50 CDs of her work, she is constantly sought after for commissions and premieres by major artists, ensembles, and orchestras around the world, and has established a permanent place for her works in the concert repertory.

Great deals, speedy shipping, and back to school sales at SheetMusicPlus!As a vigorous, articulate advocate for the music and musicians of our time, in 1973 Larsen co-founded the Minnesota Composers Forum, now the American Composer’s Forum, which has become an invaluable aid for composers in a transitional time for American arts. A former holder of the Papamarkou Chair at John W. Kluge Center of the Library of Congress, Larsen has also held residencies with the Minnesota Orchestra, the Charlotte Symphony, and the Colorado Symphony.

RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!

  View this profile on Instagram      Choralosophy Podcast (@choralosophy) • Instagram photos and videos

View Details

For those who sing Black Sacred music, “it is The Academy of the Black Church that taught us.”-Emorja Roberson. To see if you are a convincing performer of this art form, go to a Black Church and sing it. See how they receive you.In this episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Dr. Emorja Roberson, the first African American DMA in Choral conducting from Notre Dame, choral conductor, and passionate gospel music researcher and teacher.

We dove into the rich cultural and spiritual significance of gospel music, exploring its evolution and global reach. Dr. Roberson emphasized the importance of understanding the cultural context when performing gospel music, while I raised questions about the line between appreciation and cultural appropriation.

We also touched on the impact of the George Floyd movement on various institutions, the role of Black composers, and the challenge of maintaining authenticity in diversifying music education. Dr. Roberson shared his unique approach to teaching through immersive experiences in Black churches, highlighting the communal and participatory elements that are often missed in academic settings. Our conversation also explored a possible tension between universities and Black churches in teaching gospel music, and the importance of experiencing the music within its cultural roots. Finally, we discussed practical advice on teaching gospel music to predominantly white choirs, emphasizing respect and immersion in the culture. It was a powerful and insightful conversation that I’m excited to share with you. Emorja also has picked up the torch Marques Garrett lit in year one of the show, and challenged me to go BACK to a predominantly Black church and keep learning!

Come to KC and Sing Next June!Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Tune in, and have your thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself with your related ideas and experiences on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com

Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Bonus MaterialsChoralosophy Community BlogMerch Store!Visit Kaleidescope Today! www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok! For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

Sign up for an annual membership and save over $50 by entering Choralosophy at checkout! Save 15% on monthly or annual subscriptions.Emorja Roberson is the Assistant Professor of Music and African American Studies at Oxford College of Emory University.

He recently performed as the baritone soloist for Brahms’ Requiem at with the Notre Dame Children’s Choir where he also debuted his commissioned piece, “Joy, it’s on the Way,” under the direction of Mark Doerries. He has three published works, “Lord, I Am Grateful” with MorningStar Music Publishers, and two with GIA Music, “He’ll be With You” and “Seek Ye First,” which has been performed by the University of Arkansas Inspirational Chorale, Notre Dame Folk Choir, and South Bend Community Singers. He was selected as a 2023 Arts & Social Justice Fellow. This partnership between Emory Arts and the Ethics and the Arts program at Emory University of Ethics afforded the opportunity for Roberson to work with ASJ Fellow, Adán Bean, Spoken Word Poet, in the course, Black Church, Black Music at Oxford College. He recently served as the music director for the play, March on Washington, by Nikki Toombs, in partnership with the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. Roberson is a 2022 recipient of the Future of Music Faculty Fellowship with Cleveland Institute of Music which is a development initiative for Black and Latinx music professionals within academia. 

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comAs a student of Mark Doerries and Stephen Lancaster, Roberson became the first African American to receive a Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting (‘22) and a Master of Sacred Music in Vocal Performance (‘17) from the Sacred Music Department at the University of Notre Dame. His oratorio, BE-SPOKEN, highlights the experiences of the Black experience through jazz, hip-hop, and gospel. The 2022 debut cast consisted of Anthony Walker, King Chav, and Grammy-Award winner, Ledisi. He was awarded the 2021 Academic Freedom Award from the Department of Africana Studies and the 2022 Sr. Jean Lenz Award for his leadership that promotes a more diverse, inclusive campus community for all students. Roberson is also the founder of the talk show, Black@ND and the past director for the Voices of Faith Gospel Choir.

In 2019, he made his national debut on Season 9 of BET’s Sunday Best competition as a top 20 contestant and served as the choir director for Kathleen Battle’s The Underground Railroad: A Spiritual Journey tour with the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center at the University of Notre Dame. 

Great deals, speedy shipping, and back to school sales at SheetMusicPlus!As a doctoral student, Roberson hosted the University of Notre Dame’s first Black History Month concert, UNSUNG, which featured artists in jazz, classical, and gospel, which included Callie Day, Isaac Cates, J.J. Wright, and Aalex Mansour. In March 2020, “Seek Ye First” from The Evening Musicale (2019), was featured on Sirius XM 64 (Kirk Franklin’s Praise). 

In 2016, he debuted his piece, “Let’s Just Praise the Lord,” with the South Bend Symphony Orchestra and was a featured soloist on Robert Kry’s, Paradiso: Transformation and Transfiguration and Mass for the Oppressed by Emerson Eads. He has premiered Evelyn Simpson Curenton’s “Sweet Lil Jesus” and was featured as the soloist for J.J. Wright’s O Emmanuel with the Notre Dame Children’s Choir. Under the direction of John Apeitos, Roberson was Duke Frederick in Roger Steptoe’s world-premiere opera of the Shakespeare play, As You Like It. As a master’s student in the Sacred Music Department at the University of Notre Dame, Roberson was a student of Dr. Stephen Lancaster and worked with world-renowned soprano, Deborah Voight, Carla Rae Cook, and J.J. Penna. Roberson recorded with Grammy Award Winner, Arturo Sandoval, for the Notre Dame Children’s Choir CD, Christmas at Notre Dame, as a soloist on “Frosty, the Snowman” with Matthew Kelly. 

RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!Roberson graduated from the University of North Florida with a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance, where he studied with Krzysztof Biernacki. He has held lead roles in Die Zauberflöte, The Consul, The Mikado and La Bohème with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra and performed as a soloist in Handel’s Messiah. 

He is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., a charter member of the New Rock Chapter of 100 Black Men of America, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and a charter member of Psi Beta Chapter of Alpha Kappa Psi Business Fraternity.

  View this profile on Instagram      Choralosophy Podcast (@choralosophy) • Instagram photos and videos

View Details

It’s Labor Day weekend. We are almost all back to school. This is the time that makes or breaks your whole school year. This summer I got a booth at the Missouri Choral Directors conference and pulled colleagues in to share their thoughts. * Why are adolescent boys so turned off by choir? * How important is music reading for All State choir? * Should majority white choirs sing Gospel and Spirituals? * Should sacred music be programmed in public schools? * What are the biggest problems in music education? * How should we be using technology tools to bring our teaching practice up to speed for the 21st century?

I sat down at the booth, and invited passersby to join me to weigh in on these questions. I ended up with a TREASURE trove of wisdom, ideas and helpful discussion to get teachers calibrated and focused! Special thanks to Carla Oliver, Stephen Rew, Chandler Cooper, Paige Wakefield, Rebecca Winn, Christine Jarquio, Brian Von Glahn, Courtney Williams, Lauren Tosh, Chris Boemler and Max Jackson.

I also asked them some questions about their earliest music class memories, but that’s for a future special project where I compare music teacher answers to “normal people” answers. Stay tuned!

Come to KC and Sing Next June!Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Tune in, and have your thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself with your own answers to the questions posed here on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com

Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Bonus MaterialsChoralosophy Community BlogMerch Store!Visit Kaleidescope Today! www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok! For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

Sign up for an annual membership and save over $50 by entering Choralosophy at checkout! Save 15% on monthly or annual subscriptions.Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comGreat deals, speedy shipping, and back to school sales at SheetMusicPlus!RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!

  View this profile on Instagram      Choralosophy Podcast (@choralosophy) • Instagram photos and videos

View Details

The “Choral Music Canon” is one of the many concepts that I believe can only be grappled with if we are able to hold two conflicting truths in mind. It is crucial for us to hold great art in high esteem, while recognizing that we won’t all agree on what makes the list.Renowned American choral director Craig Hella Johnson joins me this week to give a master class of sorts related to programming philosophies as well as a peak behind the curtain of his ensemble, Conspirare.

In a conversation that delves into the heart of choral music, Craig and I discuss the transformative vision behind Conspirare, a chamber choir known for its virtuosic sound and diverse programming. We explore how creating a culture of mutual respect and shared responsibility in choral groups fosters a deeper connection to the music. The discussion also touches on the challenges of navigating the traditional Western choral canon, with us both agreeing on the need for a more inclusive approach that honors underrepresented voices while continuing to have a historical conversation to preserve the “great works” of our art form. Craig emphasizes the importance of honesty and student agency in teaching, advocating for a re-examination of classical music’s origins and the inclusion of diverse composers in programming.

Come to KC and Sing Next June!Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Tune in, and have your thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself with your related ideas and experiences on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com

Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Bonus MaterialsChoralosophy Community BlogMerch Store!Visit Kaleidescope Today! www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok! For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

Sign up for an annual membership and save over $50 by entering Choralosophy at checkout! Save 15% on monthly or annual subscriptions.Known for his depth of knowledge, artistic sensitivity, and rich imagination, Craig Hella Johnson assembles some of the finest singers in the country to form a world-class, GRAMMY®-award-winning ensemble committed to creating relevant and dynamic choral art. Johnson is known for crafting musical journeys that create deep connections between performers and listeners.

Watch Craig’s Story

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comJohnson is beloved by audiences, revered by singers, and lauded by critics and composers. The Wall Street Journal praised his ability to “find the emotional essence other performers often miss,” and Fanfare wrote that “Craig Hella Johnson has assembled and molded a first-rate choir to be respected as highly as the best we have had.”

Great deals, speedy shipping, and back to school sales at SheetMusicPlus!Distinguished composer John Corigliano wrote, “I believe that [Johnson] has understood my music in a way that I have never experienced before. He is a great musician who understands everything about the music he conducts.” Composer and collaborator Robert Kyr observed, “Craig’s attitude toward creating a community of artists who work together to interpret the score … goes beyond technical mastery into that emotional depth and spiritual life of the music.”

RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!

  View this profile on Instagram      Choralosophy Podcast (@choralosophy) • Instagram photos and videos

View Details

Having some very weird tech issues today.

View Details

Known online as Babatunde “Hip Hopera,” this week’s guest may look like he is just out there having fun on TikTok. But, a closer look shows an artist doing innovative, and incredibly important work bridging the gaps between musical worlds.From West Coast hip-hop fan to opera singer, this week’s guest Babtunde Akinboboye‘s journey is a fusion of genres and cultures that’s shaking up the music world. Kind of like kimchi on tacos…

His unique blend of opera with hip-hop beats, highlighted in a viral performance of of an aria mashed with Kendrick Lamar’s “Humble,” has earned him a dedicated social media following and sparked conversations about the future of classical music. In this podcast, Tunde and I explore how his work challenges the elitist perceptions of classical music and addresses the cultural barriers that make it feel inaccessible to many. We discuss the balance between preserving tradition and embracing change, the role of education in making classical music more inclusive, and the need to break down labels that segregate music by race. Our discussion offers fresh insights into how classical music can evolve to connect with a broader, more diverse audience.

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Tune in, and have you r thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself with your related ideas and experiences on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com

Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Bonus MaterialsChoralosophy Community BlogMerch Store!Visit Kaleidescope Today! www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok! For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

Sign up for an annual membership and save over $50 by entering Choralosophy at checkout! Save 15% on monthly or annual subscriptions.A singer of diverse talents, Nigerian American Baritone, Babatunde Akinboboye is known for his enthralling stage presence. He has performed with the Los Angeles Opera, Opera San Jose, Opera Santa Barbara, Long Beach Opera, and Utah Opera. Babatunde has also debuted the roles of Drew in the Opera Works’Arts for Social Awareness Project’s world premiere production of The Discord Opera, and Zanni in the world premiere of Gloria Coates’ Stolen Identity. His most recent performances include Daggoo in LA Opera’s Moby Dick, Escamillo in Pacific Opera Project’s production of Carmen, and Lucha’s Father in The Industry’s production of Hopscotch.

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comAs an advocate for the performance of art song and operatic works written by African, and African American composers, Mr. Akinboboye has headlined the Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry awards in Lagos, Nigeria performing a fusion of opera and traditional African music and has been a featured performer at both the National Association of Negro Musicians Annual Conference, as well as the African American Art Song Alliance Conference.

Babatunde’s honors include Regional Finalist of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Audition, and finalist in the International Eisteddfod Vocal Solo Competition in Llangollen, Wales.

Great deals, speedy shipping, and back to school sales at SheetMusicPlus!In December of 2018, Babatunde combined his love of classical opera and hip hop and created the new genre Hip Hopera in a viral video that gained over 10 million views and was featured on Time.com, Classic FM, MSN.com and more. His debut EP “Della Citta” is now available.

RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!

  View this profile on Instagram      Choralosophy Podcast (@choralosophy) • Instagram photos and videos

View Details

Known online as Babatunde “Hip Hopera,” this week’s guest may look like he is just out there having fun on TikTok. But, a closer look shows an artist doing innovative, and incredibly important work bridging the gaps between musical worlds.From West Coast hip-hop fan to opera singer, this week’s guest Babtunde Akinboboye‘s journey is a fusion of genres and cultures that’s shaking up the music world. Kind of like kimchi on tacos…

His unique blend of opera with hip-hop beats, highlighted in a viral performance of of an aria mashed with Kendrick Lamar’s “Humble,” has earned him a dedicated social media following and sparked conversations about the future of classical music. In this podcast, Tunde and I explore how his work challenges the elitist perceptions of classical music and addresses the cultural barriers that make it feel inaccessible to many. We discuss the balance between preserving tradition and embracing change, the role of education in making classical music more inclusive, and the need to break down labels that segregate music by race. Our discussion offers fresh insights into how classical music can evolve to connect with a broader, more diverse audience.

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Tune in, and have you r thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself with your related ideas and experiences on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com

Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Bonus MaterialsChoralosophy Community BlogMerch Store!Visit Kaleidescope Today! www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok! For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

Sign up for an annual membership and save over $50 by entering Choralosophy at checkout! Save 15% on monthly or annual subscriptions.A singer of diverse talents, Nigerian American Baritone, Babatunde Akinboboye is known for his enthralling stage presence. He has performed with the Los Angeles Opera, Opera San Jose, Opera Santa Barbara, Long Beach Opera, and Utah Opera. Babatunde has also debuted the roles of Drew in the Opera Works’Arts for Social Awareness Project’s world premiere production of The Discord Opera, and Zanni in the world premiere of Gloria Coates’ Stolen Identity. His most recent performances include Daggoo in LA Opera’s Moby Dick, Escamillo in Pacific Opera Project’s production of Carmen, and Lucha’s Father in The Industry’s production of Hopscotch.

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comAs an advocate for the performance of art song and operatic works written by African, and African American composers, Mr. Akinboboye has headlined the Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry awards in Lagos, Nigeria performing a fusion of opera and traditional African music and has been a featured performer at both the National Association of Negro Musicians Annual Conference, as well as the African American Art Song Alliance Conference.

Babatunde’s honors include Regional Finalist of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Audition, and finalist in the International Eisteddfod Vocal Solo Competition in Llangollen, Wales.

Great deals, speedy shipping, and back to school sales at SheetMusicPlus!In December of 2018, Babatunde combined his love of classical opera and hip hop and created the new genre Hip Hopera in a viral video that gained over 10 million views and was featured on Time.com, Classic FM, MSN.com and more. His debut EP “Della Citta” is now available.

RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!

  View this profile on Instagram      Choralosophy Podcast (@choralosophy) • Instagram photos and videos

View Details

Known online as Babatunde “Hip Hopera,” this week’s guest may look like he is just out there having fun on TikTok. But, a closer look shows an artist doing innovative, and incredibly important work bridging the gaps between musical worlds.From West Coast hip-hop fan to opera singer, this week’s guest Babtunde Akinboboye‘s journey is a fusion of genres and cultures that’s shaking up the music world. Kind of like kimchi on tacos…

His unique blend of opera with hip-hop beats, highlighted in a viral performance of of an aria mashed with Kendrick Lamar’s “Humble,” has earned him a dedicated social media following and sparked conversations about the future of classical music. In this podcast, Tunde and I explore how his work challenges the elitist perceptions of classical music and addresses the cultural barriers that make it feel inaccessible to many. We discuss the balance between preserving tradition and embracing change, the role of education in making classical music more inclusive, and the need to break down labels that segregate music by race. Our discussion offers fresh insights into how classical music can evolve to connect with a broader, more diverse audience.

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Tune in, and have you r thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself with your related ideas and experiences on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com

Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Bonus MaterialsChoralosophy Community BlogMerch Store!Visit Kaleidescope Today! www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok! For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

Sign up for an annual membership and save over $50 by entering Choralosophy at checkout! Save 15% on monthly or annual subscriptions.A singer of diverse talents, Nigerian American Baritone, Babatunde Akinboboye is known for his enthralling stage presence. He has performed with the Los Angeles Opera, Opera San Jose, Opera Santa Barbara, Long Beach Opera, and Utah Opera. Babatunde has also debuted the roles of Drew in the Opera Works’Arts for Social Awareness Project’s world premiere production of The Discord Opera, and Zanni in the world premiere of Gloria Coates’ Stolen Identity. His most recent performances include Daggoo in LA Opera’s Moby Dick, Escamillo in Pacific Opera Project’s production of Carmen, and Lucha’s Father in The Industry’s production of Hopscotch.

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comAs an advocate for the performance of art song and operatic works written by African, and African American composers, Mr. Akinboboye has headlined the Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry awards in Lagos, Nigeria performing a fusion of opera and traditional African music and has been a featured performer at both the National Association of Negro Musicians Annual Conference, as well as the African American Art Song Alliance Conference.

Babatunde’s honors include Regional Finalist of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Audition, and finalist in the International Eisteddfod Vocal Solo Competition in Llangollen, Wales.

Great deals, speedy shipping, and back to school sales at SheetMusicPlus!In December of 2018, Babatunde combined his love of classical opera and hip hop and created the new genre Hip Hopera in a viral video that gained over 10 million views and was featured on Time.com, Classic FM, MSN.com and more. His debut EP “Della Citta” is now available.

RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!

  View this profile on Instagram      Choralosophy Podcast (@choralosophy) • Instagram photos and videos

View Details

Should vocal jazz join other forms of ensemble singing in the “mainstream” of music education? Or does best fit within a niche? In our second episode of the brand new “GIA/Walton” series, I am excited to bring you another fascinating and useful conversation. This time, with composer and vocal jazz advocate, David von Kampen.

In this discussion, we tackle teaching approaches, and programming philosophies that seek to seamlessly weave concepts from jazz and music theory into our choral classrooms of all levels. It can be true for many teachers that we program less Jazz repertoire because we either don’t have a jazz ensemble, and/or we just didn’t receive much education in our teacher training programs that help us feel comfortable approaching the repertoire. This insecurity can often manifest itself as a programming gap. “When you sing jazz, nothing about the fundamentals of healthy singing changes.” David advocates for all schools having a dedicated vocal jazz ensemble in their program, but also offers practical ways to inject jazz into the curriculum in general choral environments.

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Tune in, and have your thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself with your related ideas and experiences on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com

Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Bonus MaterialsChoralosophy Community BlogMerch Store!Visit Kaleidescope Today! www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok! For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

Sign up for an annual membership and save over $50 by entering Choralosophy at checkout! Save 15% on monthly or annual subscriptions.David von Kampen (b. 1986) is a composer from Lincoln, Nebraska. David’s creative work spans a wide variety of genres and styles, including jazz, choral music, hymnody and liturgy, solo voice, chamber music, and musical theater. He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Kansas, and Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees from the University of Nebraska. He has studied composition with James Barnes, Dan Gailey, Forrest Pierce, Eric Richards, and Randall Snyder.

David is a six-time Downbeat Award winner in graduate-level jazz writing categories, a three-time winner of the Vancouver Chamber Choir Young Composers Competition, and was named the MTNA Distinguished Composer of the Year for his song cycle “Under the Silver and Home Again.” He has been among ten winners of the ORTUS International New Music Competition, the recipient of an ASCAP Young Jazz Composer award, winner of the San Francisco Choral Artists New Voices Project, winner of the National Band Association’s Young Jazz Composers Competition, and received Honorable Mention in the New York Youth Symphony First Music Commissions. Puddin’ and the Grumble, David’s original musical with playwright Becky Boesen, was one of seven finalists for the Richard Rodgers award.

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comDavid has over 80 choral and instrumental compositions and arrangements published with Walton Music, G. Schirmer, Hal Leonard, Concordia Publishing House, Pavane Publishing, UNC Jazz Press, Graphite, MusicSpoke, and others. His music has been performed by the Aeolians, KHORIKOS Vocal Ensemble, the L.A. Choral Lab, KC VITAs Chamber Choir, the Taiwan Youth Festival Chorus, San Francisco Choral Artists, the U.S. Army Blues Jazz Ensemble, the Vancouver Chamber Choir, and by collegiate, all-state, high school, and church ensembles throughout the United States and internationally.

Great deals, speedy shipping, and back to school sales at SheetMusicPlus!David is a lecturer of music theory and literature at the University of Nebraska, where he teaches a variety of music courses and directs the award-winning UNL Jazz Singers. He also serves as Music Coordinator for Sanctuary Worship at Christ Lutheran Church in Lincoln. David is a member of ASCAP, the Jazz Education Network, and the American Choral Directors Association. He is active as a conductor and pianist, and as a clinician for vocal and instrumental ensembles. He lives in Lincoln with his wife Mollie and three daughters.

RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!

  View this profile on Instagram      Choralosophy Podcast (@choralosophy) • Instagram photos and videos

View Details

I find that too often, as practicing teachers we either ignore new research all together, or we read the boiler plate summary, take it as gospel and move on without examining it critically. Ellie Johnson tries to help us thread the needle.Ellie is a PhD Music Education candidate and researcher, and the host of The Merfy Pod. She loves to dive in to the research and summarize it so we don’t have to. She is also now a monthly contributor in the Choralosophy Community blog space where she curates short summaries and links to important new research you should know about.

In this episode we talk through the contributions and gaps in a recent study called “Assessment Practices and Beliefs of Secondary Choir Teachers” by Ben Kambs which focuses on the questionable practice of music educators grading students on attendance, participation, and attitude, as well as “Serious musicking: choral pedagogy in ‘low-threshold’ choirs” by Jansson, Døving, and Haugland Balsnes that features the ideas found embedded in ideas of Critical Choral Pedagogy and other frameworks, which “alleviates the notion of the leader as more knowledgeable than the followers” and aims to disrupt the hierarchal structure of typical choir programs via reexamining auditions, self selection and even fundamental pedagogical practices like assigning at home practice, and addressing singers individually for instruction.

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Tune in, and have your thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself with your related ideas and experiences on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com

Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Bonus MaterialsChoralosophy Community BlogMerch Store!Visit Kaleidescope Today! www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok! For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

Sign up for an annual membership and save over $50 by entering Choralosophy at checkout! Save 15% on monthly or annual subscriptions.Ellie Johnson has been a music educator in Nebraska since 2015. She is currently a PhD candidate and Hixson-Lied fellow at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln, where she helps train undergraduate pre-service teachers and conducts music education research.

Ellie has worked primarily with middle school students in both general music and choral settings. In addition to solo research on increasing student autonomy in aural skills coursework, Ellie recently presented collaborative research on music student mental health and inclusive choral teaching at the International Society for Music Education World Conference in Helsinki, Finland.

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comShe hosts the MERFY podcast where she summarizes music education research for you in short palatable episodes – available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music. Conference.

More on Belonging in groups from ChoralosophyGreat deals, speedy shipping, and back to school sales at SheetMusicPlus!RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!

  View this profile on Instagram      Choralosophy Podcast (@choralosophy) • Instagram photos and videos

View Details

Often in choral instruction, we utilize the word “family” to describe the cohesiveness of our ensembles. But what about the students who don’t view choir as their family? Can we be ok with the idea that singers come to us for many different reasons?But what happens when students DON’T want to be in the family? What if you have students that truly just want to treat it like a class? Or what if they are a talented student who is an introvert? What about a choral director whose MAIN reason for doing the job is the love of the music? (gasps, clutches pearls.)

We can over personalize the rejection.

Jason Dungee joins me to add some nuance to what is often a very misunderstood and oversimplified concept in education more broadly, as well as in choral music. If we are honest, aren’t we a bit offended when a singer doesn’t LOVE singing for us? Don’t we take it a little personally? What if you have students that are really talented, but you don’t like THEM? Sometimes we unintentionally marginalize or isolate the students who have rejected us. For many choir directors, our definition of success includes “making our kids FEEL what we felt as kids.”

I also ran some of my ideas about belonging in groups by Jason. Those episodes are linked below.

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Tune in, and have your thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself with your related ideas and experiences on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com.

Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Bonus MaterialsChoralosophy Community BlogMerch Store!Visit Kaleidescope Today! www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok! For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

Sign up for an annual membership and save over $50 by entering Choralosophy at checkout! Save 15% on monthly or annual subscriptions.Conductor, tenor, and music educator, Dr. Jason A. Dungee, is the Director of Choral Activities at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He has earned degrees from the University of Arizona, Westminster Choir College and Hampton University.

Since arriving in the Charlotte region in 2021, Dungee has come in demand as a clinician and as guest conductor for several All-County Choral events, as well as serving as clinician for the NCMEA Eastern All-State Choir in the Fall of 2023.
Dungee’s article “A Pedagogy for Living: Applying Restorative, Anti-Racist Pedagogy to the Choral Classroom” was published in The Choral Journal and has led to him being in demand as a presenter for organizations and Universities across the U.S. In March of 2020, Dungee was Co-Conductor of the first HBCU Tribute Choir for the Southern Division ACDA Conference.

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comDr. Dungee has found success in popular music and entertainment as well. He was selected for 2 consecutive years to prepare choirs for the southeast leg of HBO’s internationally acclaimed touring production of The Game of Thrones Live Experience, featuring music from the hit TV program. In February of 2022 and April of 2023, Dungee was asked to prepare an ensemble for the rock band the Eagles for their performances in Charlotte and Greensboro, respectively. In 2024 he served as choirmaster for the AWR Productions presentation of Distant Worlds: Music from Final Fantasy during their tour stop in Charlotte. He conducted sold out, critically acclaimed performances as guest conductor of the Charleston Gospel Choir and sang the tenor solo with the London Symphony Orchestra as they premiered Andre Thomas’ Mass.
His pride and joy, however, is found in his wife Crysta, and their three children, Jordan, Andrew and Langston.
Youtube: Find Jason’s channel!
Facebook/Instagram: @clt.universitychorale

More on Belonging in groups from ChoralosophyGreat deals, speedy shipping, and back to school sales at SheetMusicPlus!RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!

  View this profile on Instagram      Choralosophy Podcast (@choralosophy) • Instagram photos and videos

View Details

I frequently engage in and read discussions with young music educators about the ways in which the music education profession is or is not “adapting with the times.” As always, the answer to that is yes. And no…Mak Barton is a second year teacher in Maryland who I found on her wildly entertaining TikTok account that is fast approaching 100k followers! Recently I was tagged in one of her videos in which she addresses the question of whether or not we are adequately responding to the needs of the next generation in our music classrooms.

“Is there a place in our programs for a Soundcloud rapper?” Mak’s initial take was no, but I say yes! I think like many things, it depends on our perspectives. I think you will really enjoy this conversation just like I did, especially if you value the voices of the next generation of students and educators. Mak and I discussed what it is like to subject herself to social media vulnerability, the traditions of music education that can and should evolve, as well as ways to champion those tried and true elements of curriculum that have endured for good reason.

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Tune in, and have your thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself with your related ideas and experiences on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com.

Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Bonus MaterialsChoralosophy Community BlogMerch Store!Visit Kaleidescope Today! www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok! For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

Sign up for an annual membership and save over $50 by entering Choralosophy at checkout! Save 15% on monthly or annual subscriptions.Makynzie Barton is a High School Music Educator in Maryland, teaching and directing Choirs, Piano, Theatre, and Foundations of Music. She grew up singing in church with her family, then self-learning how to play the guitar, piano, and write like her favorite artists. After high school, she attended University of Delaware to study Music Education and eventually combined it with a Music Management degree to create a more vernacular-music-focused degree plan, currently working towards her Master’s in Music Education at Berklee College of Music.

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comHer platform on social media has grown as she arranges music we listen to today for/with her choirs, facilitating a space for them to create their own and be active participants in music-making. Music-lovers all over the world have been able to come, get a good giggle from choir kids and their chaotic director, and hear some incredible music.

Great deals, speedy shipping, and back to school sales at SheetMusicPlus!RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!

  View this profile on Instagram      Choralosophy Podcast (@choralosophy) • Instagram photos and videos

View Details

As teachers, we often try to build culture and foster a sense of belonging by seeking out the “right checklist” of games, ice breakers, fun warm-ups, and even classroom wall art. However, these are just the frosting, not the cake.In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Kari Adams from the University of Missouri to discuss the essential ingredients for creating a genuine classroom culture.

Dr. Adams joined me in my home studio, allowing for an excellently paced discussion. In our conversation, we discuss why “ice breakers are not enough,” the concept of vulnerability for teachers and how it is often misunderstood or misused, effective teacher verbiage and word choices, action-oriented feedback, and brainstorming stories and ideas that illustrate how teachers can build developmentally appropriate, authentic, and individualized relationships with students, even in a group setting.

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Tune in, and have your thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself with your related ideas and experiences on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com.

Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Bonus MaterialsChoralosophy Community BlogMerch Store!Visit Kaleidescope Today! www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok! For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

Sign up for an annual membership and save over $50 by entering Choralosophy at checkout! Save 15% on monthly or annual subscriptions.Kari Adams is Assistant Professor of Choral Music Education and conductor of Concert Chorale at the University of Missouri. She holds a PhD in music education from the University of North Texas as well as degrees from the University of Central Missouri and Freed-Hardeman University. Prior to her appointment at Mizzou, Adams served as Assistant Professor of Choral Music Education and director of Levana at Florida State University. In 2023, she received the Outstanding Teaching in the Major (Undergraduate) award from FSU. Before working in higher education, she taught middle school choral and general music in Knob Noster, Missouri, where she was named Teacher of the Year in 2015. She is a passionate educator, conductor, and researcher.

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comAdams engages in guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator opportunities regularly. She has conducted All State and regional honor choirs in Florida, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Tennessee, and Virginia. She has also presented at state practitioner conferences in Alabama, Arkansas, Kansas, Florida, Missouri, and Texas as well as at national ACDA and NAfME conventions. Her articles focused on research-based strategies for practitioners have been published in Music Educators Journal, Update: Applications of Research in Music Education, Florida Music Director, and Choral Journal.

Great deals, speedy shipping, and back to school sales at SheetMusicPlus!Adams’s research has been published in leading journals in the field including Journal of Research in Music Education, Journal of Music Teacher Education, Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education, Update: Applications of Research in Music Education, and International Journal of Research in Choral Singing. Her research interests include music teacher education, teacher identity construction, aesthetic response to music performance, and implicit theories of musical ability. In addition to her publications, she has presented on these topics at regional, national, and international conferences.

RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!

  View this profile on Instagram      Choralosophy Podcast (@choralosophy) • Instagram photos and videos

View Details

“If you don’t learn what listening is, your choirs will never sing in tune.” James Jordan is one of the most prolific choral conductors in the modern era. Not just in terms of performance and recordings, but also in scholarship and pedagogy. Introducing, the NEW GIA/Walton Series on Choralosophy!

I recently had the privilege of attending two sessions given by Professor Jordan at my home convention in Missouri. I was coming out of my chair with excitement anticipating this conversation. The presentations were about choral intonation in our rehearsals, and the often forgotten relationship between intonation and vocal pedagogy. The ideas presented were exciting, revolutionary and even outside the box.

In this conversation we discuss the often missed elements that impact a choir’s ability to sing in tune. Tongue position, vocal registration, the conductor’s breath, Music Learning Theory, and even rhythm! We also discuss the importance of harmonic context and the ability for the singer to be flexible and tune as they go. “When there is a problem with a note, don’t just teach the note. Fix the notes around the note.”

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Tune in, and have your thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com.

Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Bonus MaterialsChoralosophy Community BlogMerch Store!Visit Kaleidescope Today! www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok! For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

Sign up for an annual membership and save over $50 by entering Choralosophy at checkout! Save 15% on monthly or annual subscriptions.One of the world’s leading choral conductors, music pedagogy authors, and recording artist’s with over 60 books and publications calls Westminster Choir College home. Dr. James Jordan leads the largest and most respected graduate programs in choral conducting in the country. As a Grammy-nominated conductor he is recognized and praised throughout the musical world as one of America’s preeminent conductors, recording artists, writers, music psychologists and innovators in choral music. His innovations in both choral pedagogy and conducting pedagogy have been lauded worldwide, and he has effectively led changes in choral conducting and pedagogy that have impacted choral music around the world. He was described as a “visionary” by the Choral Journal, which cited his book Evoking Sound as a “must read.” His more than 60 books explore both the philosophical and spiritual basis of musicianship, as well as aspects of choral rehearsal teaching and learning, and they are considered to be essential references in the conducting profession. He is Professor Director of Choral Studies at Westminster Choir College, holds the Scheide Chair in Conducting, and serves as the 7th conductor of the 103-year old Westminster Choir and the world renowned Westminster Symphonic Choir. Prior to these conducting responsibilities, he conducted both the Chapel Choir and the Schola Cantorum. His 12 years conducting the Westminster Williamson Voices established that choir as one of the most admired and reviewed choral ensembles in the world, with 10 CD’s to its credit. The choir, under his direction, was called “the Rolls Royce of Choirs” by King’s College Conductor Daniel Hyde. Their Grammy-nominated recording of James Whitbourn’s portraiture seminal work, Annelies (Naxos) is one of the most performed choral works in the world. He was also director of the Westminster Conducting Institute. He is artistic director and conductor of the professional choral ensemble, The Same Stream.

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comHis recordings with the Westminster Williamson Voices have garnered wide critical acclaim on both sides of the Atlantic. Choir and Organ wrote about their Grammy-nominated recording Annelies, “Jordan’s instinctive understanding of the score makes this a profound and emotionally charged experience.” 2023-24 will mark the release of 3 significant CD’s under his direction; The 30th Anniversary Recording of the Westminster Evening of Readings and Carols, a unique recording of the Mozart Requiem with the Pittsburgh Symphony, Manfred Hoenig conductor, and the 100th Anniversary recording of the Westminster Choir, A Serenity of Soul. The 15 CD’s under his direction are available through iTunes and Amazon. His work with The Same Stream Choir can also be seen in a video documentary and profile released by J.W. Pepper and available for viewing at thesamestreamchoir.com. He has premiered over 60 works in his time at Westminster, featuring the works of Ames, Mealor, Hill, Duckworth, Forrest, Whitbourn, Waldenby, Mantyjarvi, Lavoy, Scheibe and Relph. Passionately advocating for the mentoring and supporting of composers, especially young composers, has also been a focus of his career. He is Executive Editor of both the Evoking Sound Choral Series and The Music from Westminster Choral series which has over 300 published editions. He has also assembled one of the most completed online resources for Conducting Pedagogy and Choral Pedagogy on the Giamusic.com website: The Virtual Classroom. His philosophies and teachings are documented on the popular podcast, Luminous, and he serves as one of the hosts on the Nationally syndicated radio programs, Sounds Choral on WWFM, The Classical Network.

Great deals, speedy shipping, and back to school sales at SheetMusicPlus!As a music psychologist specializing in music teaching and learning, Dr. Jordan’s career and publications have been devoted to innovative educational changes in the choral art, which have been embraced around the world. His seminal work, Inside the Choral Rehearsal is a landmark book applying the Music Learning Theory of Edwin Gordon to the choral rehearsal. 2023 will see the release of two innovative books advocating pedagogical change in the pedagogy of the choral rehearsal: Intonational Solfege and The Essential Choral Warm-Up (GIA).

RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!Seminars and workshops have taken him throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and Australia at Institutions from The Curtis Institute of Music, The University of Arizona, The University of Utah to residencies at the country’s major choral programs. He made his Carnegie Hall debut in 2015, conducting the New York premiere of Paul Mealor’s Stabat Mater. In November 2015, Dr. Jordan conducted the world premiere of Paul Mealor’s First Symphony: Passiontide, in Scotland. In 2016, he conducted the Westminster Williamson Voices, the first college choir to appear in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s MetLiveArts series, in a performance of the virtuosic Kanon Pokajanen by Arvo Pärt.

James Jordan has been honored as a distinguished alumnus of Temple University, where he has been inducted into the University’s Hall of Fame. In 2016, he received the distinguished alumni medal from Susquehanna University. He was awarded the distinguished Doctor of Music degree by the University of Aberdeen in Scotland in 2014 to honor his artistry and contributions to choral music throughout the world. The University, established in 1485, has awarded degrees throughout its history to only two Americans: Dr. Jordan and Morten Lauridsen. He shares this honor with Gustav Holst, Benjamin Britten and Dame Joan Sutherland.

  View this profile on Instagram      Choralosophy Podcast (@choralosophy) • Instagram photos and videos

View Details

Recently, we offered a free virtual meetup to practice “Choir Nerdery.” If you missed it, I have carefully curated some of the most useful and interesting moments for this episode. Discussion topics were derived from survey responses from 120 educators.The full 2 hour and 15 minute work session is available unedited over at Patreon or Substack for show supporters.

We had a great time discussing

Fundamentals of literacy instruction
Concepts related to rhythm instruction
Structuring of programs. Gendered ensembles, leveled classes etc.
The Science of Reading for Music.
Dividing the beginning groups into ever shifting groups.
A look into a 10th grade literacy lesson at my school. (full version only)

Don’t miss it! Not only will you get some tips and tricks related to previous PD offered here, but from some other awesome teachers offering their perspectives, problems and approaches.

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Tune in, and have your thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com.

Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Get SlidesChoralosophy CommunityNEW! Merch Store!Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok!

For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!

  View this profile on Instagram      Choralosophy Podcast (@choralosophy) • Instagram photos and videos

Receive 10% Discount on your orders at http://www.graphitepublishing.com where you will find the works of Jocelyn Hagen, Eric Barnum, Timothy C. Takach,
Paul Rudoi and MANY more. The Choralosophy Music Literacy SuiteThe Choralosophy Vocal Ped Suite* Car Thoughts * Choir Director Probs * Choralosophy Book Club * Chris Munce * Community * Covid Conversations * Educational Philosophy * Human Diversity * Instruction and Assessment * International * Lori Sonnenberg * Oxford Series * Podcasts * Politics and Current Events * Student Perspectives * Uncategorized

View Details

“It is not my job to answer the questions. It’s my job to ask the questions.” Programming for our choirs carries with it a wide range of challenges, from the skill levels of our groups, and their needs to the considerations of speaking to an audience. There are many ways to wrestle with this balance.Renowned conductor of the Crossing Donald Nally joins me this week to think through the programming question from his perspective as both a director who has worn the “professor” hat, as well as the being the conductor of a high level professional ensemble. Donald shares his general philosophy and practice for creating a program that serves as its own piece of art.

This episode gave me a lot to chew on for choosing repertoire for choirs at all levels. You will learn a lot from this conversation too, from discussion about music with political implications, programming for storytelling, considerations for sacred music in non sacred choral contexts, and much more. The Crossing also has a new album called “Motion Studies” that serves as an interesting case study for the depth and breadth of what our art form is capable of communicating.

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Tune in, and have your thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com

Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Get SlidesChoralosophy CommunityNEW! Merch Store!Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok!

For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!Donald Nally was the John W. Beattie Chair in Music and director of choral organizations at Northwestern University. He collaborates with creative artists, leading orchestras, and art museums to make new works for choir that address social and environmental issues. He has commissioned over 180 works and, with his ensemble The Crossing, has produced 30 recordings. Donald and The Crossing have been nominated for nine Grammy awards, winning Best Choral Performance in 2018, 2019, and 2023. He has held distinguished tenures as chorus master for Lyric Opera of Chicago, Welsh National Opera, Opera Philadelphia, the Chicago Bach Project, and for many seasons at the Spoleto Festival in Italy.

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comDonald’s collaborations include the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the New York Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Park Avenue Armory, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Menil Collection, Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Beth Morrison Projects, Lincoln Center, Mostly Mozart, the Cleveland Museum of Art, Carnegie Hall, National Sawdust, the Barnes Foundation, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s MusicNow series, Boston’s Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, the National Gallery, the International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE), the American Composers Orchestra, Klockriketeatern at the Finnish National Opera, the Institute for Advanced Study, Big Ears Festival, and the Warren Miller Performing Arts Center in Big Sky, Montana, where The Crossing holds an annual residency.

MOTION STUDIES– Released on April 5th
OCHRE– Available on July 12th

In addition to his work with The Crossing, Donald has been visiting resident artist at the Park Avenue Armory, music director of David Lang’s 1000-voice Crowd Out at Millennium Park in Chicago, Lang’s 1000-voice Mile Long Opera on the High Line in Manhattan, and chorus master for the New York Philharmonic for world premieres of Julia Wolfe and David Lang. His 60-chapter series Rising w/ The Crossing, a response to the 2020 pandemic, gained national attention and was featured in The Los Angeles Times, the New York Times, The Washington Post, and NPR’s Performance Today; it has been archived by The Library of Congress as a cultural artifact as an “important part of this collection and the historical record.”

RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!

  View this profile on Instagram      Choralosophy Podcast (@choralosophy) • Instagram photos and videos

Receive 10% Discount on your orders at http://www.graphitepublishing.com where you will find the works of Jocelyn Hagen, Eric Barnum, Timothy C. Takach,
Paul Rudoi and MANY more. The Choralosophy Music Literacy SuiteThe Choralosophy Vocal Ped Suite* Car Thoughts * Choir Director Probs * Choralosophy Book Club * Chris Munce * Community * Covid Conversations * Educational Philosophy * Human Diversity * Instruction and Assessment * International * Lori Sonnenberg * Oxford Series * Podcasts * Politics and Current Events * Student Perspectives * Uncategorized

View Details

“I cannot believe I’ve been muzzled by my own people.” All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena, CA cancelled a concert that was set for June 2nd, 2024 citing the “pain and anguish felt by 18 Black members of the church.” The response was that Michal and the choir, and the music they were set to perform from the African American cultural and musical heritage, was prohibited form being performed at the majority white All Saints until further notice. I am joined this week by Bass soloist Michal Dawson Connor, who was caught in the middle of this controversy. He tells his side of this frustrating story and pulls no punches. A story that ends, for now, with the church’s “Racial Justice Advisory Board” being in control of what music is or is not allowed in the church, rather than the Music Ministry. When we in choral music preach diversity and inclusion, is this really what we mean?

This topic, in a broader sense, has been explored MANY times on this show going all the way back to some of the first episodes. Namely, what is the role of African American Spirituals and Gospel music in the telling of our American story, and in what ways can the cultural sharing through music lead to unity, healing and reconciliation? What does it mean to be diverse and inclusive? Can these things be achieved while drawing strict lines around categories, and gatekeeping? There seems to be a consensus in music education on these questions amongst scholars of the art form. Experts like André Thomas, Anthony Trecek King, Marques Garrett, Brandon Boyd, and even philosophers and race scholars like Anika Prather, Sheena Mason and Teodros Kiros just to name a small few have appeared on this show to speak on these important philosophical ideas. “Tough Conversations” play list linked above and embedded below.

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Tune in, and have your thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com.

Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Get SlidesChoralosophy CommunityNEW! Merch Store!Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok!

For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!Michal Dawson Connor is an accomplished performer and composer of choral, chamber, and solo vocal works, with a particular emphasis on Slave songs created before the Civil War. He was born in Jamestown, New York, and is a proud alumnus of Carnegie-Mellon University and L’Ecole Hindemith in Vevey, Switzerland – where he studied voice with Blake Stern and Helen Boatwright. Championing American composers has always been a high priority for him, and Mr. Connor has concertized extensively throughout North America, Europe, and Asia, specializing in the rich vocal repertoire of Charles Ives, Samuel Barber, Aaron Copland, and many others.

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comMr. Connor’s Broadway credits include featured performances in the Tony-Award winning productions of “RAGTIME” and “SHOWBOAT”, as well as starring roles in productions of “THE MOST HAPPY FELLA”, “BIG RIVER”, and “PORGY AND BESS”. In addition to soloing on multiple occasions for President Ronald Reagan, he’s immensely proud of performing for Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Reverend Billy Graham, and Elizabeth Dole. Mr. Connor is a published author of “THE SLAVE LETTERS” currently available on Amazon.com. On network television, he was a guest star on “FRIENDS”, as well as several appearances on the Emmy-Award winning show “EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION” and “THE SURPRISE GARDENER”.

Tough Conversations Playlist on YouTube! Tough Conversations Playlist! Receive 10% Discount on your orders at http://www.graphitepublishing.com where you will find the works of Jocelyn Hagen, Eric Barnum, Timothy C. Takach,
Paul Rudoi and MANY more.

  View this profile on Instagram      Choralosophy Podcast (@choralosophy) • Instagram photos and videos

The Choralosophy Music Literacy SuiteThe Choralosophy Vocal Ped Suite* Car Thoughts * Choir Director Probs * Choralosophy Book Club * Chris Munce * Community * Covid Conversations * Educational Philosophy * Human Diversity * Instruction and Assessment * International * Lori Sonnenberg * Oxford Series * Podcasts * Politics and Current Events * Student Perspectives * Uncategorized

View Details

The scientific consensus is that our ability to understand human speech has evolved over hundreds of thousands of years. After all, there are whole portions of the brain devoted to human speech. We learn to understand speech before we can even walk, and can seamlessly absorb enormous amounts of information simply by hearing it. Surely we evolved this capability over thousands of generations… Or did we? Cognitive scientist, Mark Changizi joins me this week for a fascinating exploration into the hardware and software that allows humans to understand, interpret and make sense out of music. In his book “Harnessed,” he makes the case that human speech has been very specifically “designed” to harness the sounds of nature, sounds we’ve evolved over millions of years to readily understand. Long before humans evolved, mammals have learned to interpret the sounds of nature to understand both threats and opportunities. Our speech—regardless of language—is very clearly based on the sounds of nature.

Even more fascinating, Changizi shows that music itself is based on natural sounds. Music—seemingly one of the most human of inventions—is literally built on sounds and patterns of sound that have existed since the beginning of time.

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Tune in, and have your thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com.

Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Get SlidesChoralosophy CommunityNEW! Merch Store!Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok!

For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!MARK CHANGIZI is a theorist aiming to grasp the ultimate foundations underlying why we think, feel and see as we do. His research focuses on “why” questions, and he has made important discoveries such as on why we see in color, why we see illusions, why we have forward-facing eyes, why the brain is structured as it is, why animals have as many limbs and fingers as they do, why the dictionary is organized as it is, why fingers get pruney when wet, where emotional expressions came from, and how we acquired writing, language and music.

He attended the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, and then went on to the University of Virginia for a degree in physics and mathematics, and to the University of Maryland for a PhD in math. In 2002 he won a prestigious Sloan-Swartz Fellowship in Theoretical Neurobiology at Caltech, and in 2007 he became an assistant professor in the Department of Cognitive Science at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. In 2010 he took the post of Director of Human Cognition at a new research institute called 2ai Labs, and also co-founded VINO Optics which builds proprietary vein-enhancing glasses for medical personnel. He consults out of his Human Factory Lab.

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comHe has more than three dozen scientific journal articles, covered in thousands of newspaper and magazine articles. He regularly keynotes at both scientific events and at art galleries and museums, and has appeared on many television shows, including regular appearances on Discovery Channel’s Head Games and National Geographic’s Brain Games. TED has featured him in three areas of his research, namely illusions, color vision, and pruney fingers. He curated an exhibition and co-authored a (fourth) book — ON THE ORIGIN OF ART (2016), by Steven Pinker, Geoffrey Miller, Brian Boyd & Mark Changizi — at MONA museum in Tasmania in 2016 illustrating his “nature-harnessing” theory on the origins of art and language.

Receive 10% Discount on your orders at http://www.graphitepublishing.com where you will find the works of Jocelyn Hagen, Eric Barnum, Timothy C. Takach,
Paul Rudoi and MANY more. He has written three other books on his research, THE BRAIN FROM 25,000 FEET (2003), THE VISION rEVOLUTION (2009) and HARNESSED: How Language and Music Mimicked Nature and Transformed Ape to Man (2011). He is working on his fifth non-fiction book, this one on emotions and facial expressions, called EXPRESSLY HUMAN: Decoding the Language of Emotions. He has also written a novel, called HUMAN 3.0, about what’s next, after humans, extending his nature-harnessing principles into the future.

  View this profile on Instagram      Choralosophy Podcast (@choralosophy) • Instagram photos and videos

The Choralosophy Music Literacy SuiteThe Choralosophy Vocal Ped Suite* Car Thoughts * Choir Director Probs * Choralosophy Book Club * Chris Munce * Community * Covid Conversations * Educational Philosophy * Human Diversity * Instruction and Assessment * International * Lori Sonnenberg * Oxford Series * Podcasts * Politics and Current Events * Student Perspectives * Uncategorized

Harnessed: How Language and Music Mimicked Nature and Transformed Ape to Man

View Details

Standard music notation that is now used ubiquitously around the world does some things really well. But it also has limitation. Katerina Gimon is a composer who is actively working to dream up new ways to use notation to communicate sound ideas to musicians that expand our written music vocabulary.Katerina first exploded onto the choral scene in 2019 in a burst of flame so to speak. Her piece “Fire” from the song cycle entitled “Elements” was performed by the Vancouver Youth Choir at ACDA that year. I was in the room. The piece, and the performance from the group pinned me to the back of my chair. When it was over, I wasn’t sure how to describe what I had just heard. For the rest of 2019, the piece exploded, being performed by choirs everywhere. And then, a year later, the choir world closed for business during the pandemic.

Katerina joins me in this Oxford Series episode to discuss the very strange trajectory that resulted for the start of her career. Typically, if a composer has a big, high profile success, it is immediately followed up by more opportunities to create. But, in many ways that moment was frozen in time for her. We discuss the fear of being a “one hit wonder,” as well as her path toward a more wholistic fulfilling career as a full time composer with a rich catalogue. The varying soundscapes she creates is remarkable!

We also banter about “Western Music” notation, and how it can and should evolve through innovation, and expanding use of symbol and sound palettes that were not available to musicians with notation in previous generations.

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Tune in, and have your thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com.

Visit Oxford’s Expansive Choral Catalogue!Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Get SlidesChoralosophy CommunityNEW! Merch Store!Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok!

For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!Composer, improviser, and vocalist Katerina Gimon‘s uniquely dynamic, poignant, and eclectic compositional style has earned her a reputation as a distinct voice in contemporary Canadian composition and beyond. Her music has been described as “sheer radiance” (Campbell River Mirror), “imbued…with human emotion” (San Diego Story), and capable of taking listeners on a “fascinating journey of textural discovery” (Ludwig Van), earning her several honours including multiple SOCAN Awards (2022, 2021, 2016), nominations for Western Canadian Composer of the Year (2023, 2021), and a Barbara Pentland Award for Outstanding Composition (2022).

In her music, Katerina draws influence from a myriad of places — from the Ukrainian folk music of her heritage to indie rock, as well as from her roots as a songwriter. Her compositions are performed widely across Canada, the United States, and internationally, with notable performances at Carnegie Hall, Berliner Philharmonie, and the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Recent commissions include new music for the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Vancouver Youth Choir, National Youth Orchestra of Canada, and re:Naissance Opera. Katerina is the composer-in-residence for Myriad Ensemble and is based in Metro Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada*.

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.com In addition to her composing work, Katerina is also a founding member (vocalist, electronics, co-composer) of dynamic new music and AR/VR collective Chroma Mixed Media

alongside multi-media artists David Storen and Brian Topp. Excited by the ever-evolving landscape of technology in today’s society, Chroma endeavours to explore new avenues and intersections for artistic expression by combining various art forms and new technologies to explore new possibilities and challenge audience expectations.

Katerina holds a Master of Music in Composition from the University of British Columbia (’17) and an Honours Bachelor of Music degree in Composition and Improvisation from Wilfrid Laurier University (’15). When she isn’t making music, Katerina enjoys playing board games, puzzling, adventuring outdoors, and relaxing with her partner and their two cats.

RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!

  View this profile on Instagram      Choralosophy Podcast (@choralosophy) • Instagram photos and videos

Receive 10% Discount on your orders at http://www.graphitepublishing.com where you will find the works of Jocelyn Hagen, Eric Barnum, Timothy C. Takach,
Paul Rudoi and MANY more. The Choralosophy Music Literacy SuiteThe Choralosophy Vocal Ped Suite* Car Thoughts * Choir Director Probs * Choralosophy Book Club * Chris Munce * Community * Covid Conversations * Educational Philosophy * Human Diversity * Instruction and Assessment * International * Lori Sonnenberg * Oxford Series * Podcasts * Politics and Current Events * Student Perspectives * Uncategorized

View Details

Standard #1 from NAfME is the best one I think. “Singing alone AND in small groups a varied repertoire of music.” It is of course, crucial in vocal and general music. But it’s value is also present in instrumental focused courses as well.In this return of “Car Thoughts” I will take you through a short explanation of how I conceive of individual singing assessments as part of a wholistic choral music curriculum. Towards the end, you will even hear some thoughts from my daughter Clara who just completed the 9th grade version of my class. I ask her to reflect on her pre-test back in October all the way to her 2nd semester final that she had done the day before. We will also go over the pedagogical and philosophical reasons that I believe that it is our obligation to insist that every individual student deserves individual feedback on their progress. Being allowed to hide in the group causes equity issues.

Don’t forget to support this show, because it dies without you! Listen as much as you can! Use the Choralosophy code at Graphitepublishing, EndeavorMusicPublishing, SRF and MyMusicFolders, and if you REALLY find this show useful, I hope you will help me crack over 200 PAID supporters either on Patreon or Substack. Just search Choralosophy on either platform to get signed up and keep this show going into the future.

In this short-ish episode, I will focus on the singing alone part of that National Standard #1. We will cover the singing in small groups standard in a future episode.

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Tune in, and have your thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com.

Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Get SlidesChoralosophy CommunityNEW! Merch Store!Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok!

For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comRyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!

  View this profile on Instagram      Choralosophy Podcast (@choralosophy) • Instagram photos and videos

Receive 10% Discount on your orders at http://www.graphitepublishing.com where you will find the works of Jocelyn Hagen, Eric Barnum, Timothy C. Takach,
Paul Rudoi and MANY more. The Choralosophy Music Literacy SuiteThe Choralosophy Vocal Ped Suite* Car Thoughts * Choir Director Probs * Choralosophy Book Club * Chris Munce * Community * Covid Conversations * Educational Philosophy * Human Diversity * Instruction and Assessment * International * Lori Sonnenberg * Oxford Series * Podcasts * Politics and Current Events * Student Perspectives * Uncategorized

View Details

“Because of music, in this time and space, we can hold hands. And we can sing a common song.” From a story Steven tells in this episode to illustrate the ways that music CAN help us transcend the issues that divide us. Dr. Steven Hankle directs the choirs at University of Dayton in Ohio. Steven caught my attention recently with a very vulnerable post on FB in which he was both celebrating his recent promotion to tenured professor and expressing gratitude for the people that helped him “beat the odds” as an African male growing up in the South Side of Chicago.

So, I asked Steven to be even more vulnerable and join me to explore this story further. How can music, and ensemble create a bridge a person’s life that helps them climb a mountain? In this episode, we will hear what it was like for Steven growing up, and why being a tenured professor in Choral Music is such a significant departure from what young Steven envisioned for his life.

We also discuss the socio economic issues facing many inner city kids, the misleading nature of racial language, the power of choral music as an agent for social change, and the way Steven’s story his impacted his teaching philosophy.

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Tune in, and have your thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com.

Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Get SlidesChoralosophy CommunityNEW! Merch Store!Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok!

For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!Dr. Steven Hankle is the Associate Professor of Choral Music and Music Education at the University of Dayton, where he directs the University Chorale and Bella Voce. Also, he teaches choral conducting and choral methods. Dr. Hankle also serves as choral faculty at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, where he directs the staff choir, alumni choir and vocal ensemble. As the Music Director of the Alumni Choir, Dr. Hankle has directed a live Blue Lake Radio broadcast performance of John Rutter’s Gloria. He also conducted Johannes Brahms’s Liebeslieder Walze Op. 52 during Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp Summer Festival. Hankle is the Chorus Director for the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra Chorus, where he prepared the chorus to perform with the Dayton Philharmonic for the world premiere of Steven Winteregg’s Expressions, Brahms’s Requiem, Mozart’s Missa Breves, and more. An active clinician and adjudicator, he has worked with choirs in California, Florida, Virginia, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kenya, Africa, and Tijuana, Mexico.

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comDr. Hankle is an active member of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), where he serves on the state board in Ohio, Chorus America, National Association for Music Education (NAfME), National Collegiate Conductor Organization (NCCO), where he serves on the National Board, and Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA). Dr. Hankle has presented his research at the Florida Music Education Association (FMEA), Arizona Music Education Association (AMEA), NAfME, and ACDA conferences. His primary area of interest is developing choral music programs in urban secondary public schools, student engagement through movement, developing sight-reading skills through repertoire in the choral rehearsal, leadership in the choral classroom and wellness for choral conductors to prevent teacher burnout.

RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!A native of Chicago, Steven Hankle received undergraduate and masters degrees in music education and choral conducting from San Francisco State University and his Ph.D. in choral conducting and music education from Florida State University. Prior to his appointment at the University of Dayton, he served as choral music and music education faculty at Penn State University. He successfully developed a new choral music program at Mission High School in San Francisco.

  View this profile on Instagram      Choralosophy Podcast (@choralosophy) • Instagram photos and videos

Receive 10% Discount on your orders at http://www.graphitepublishing.com where you will find the works of Jocelyn Hagen, Eric Barnum, Timothy C. Takach,
Paul Rudoi and MANY more. The Choralosophy Music Literacy SuiteThe Choralosophy Vocal Ped Suite* Car Thoughts * Choir Director Probs * Choralosophy Book Club * Chris Munce * Community * Covid Conversations * Educational Philosophy * Human Diversity * Instruction and Assessment * International * Lori Sonnenberg * Oxford Series * Podcasts * Politics and Current Events * Student Perspectives * Uncategorized

View Details

The Choralosophy Podcast has been at the epicenter of the music education conversation since 2019. The first episode that really made a splash was #18. Ripping Off the Bandaid. It seemed to draw a two sided coin of responses. Colleagues were either offended or found their instruction revolutionized for the better. In this episode, I look back to 18 to try and find which ideas presented there are still true for me, and on which points my view has shifted or evolved. Many points made in the original episode were wildly misinterpreted and taken out of context. Other ideas have stood the test of time.

In the last five years, the conversations with colleagues have been incredibly illuminating, educational and humbling for me. It has forced me to consider the difference between circumstance and pedagogy. What is the “best” pedagogy for building advanced, independent, fluent musicians in the choral or instrumental classroom? Are there any right and wrong answers?

Short answer: YES. There are right and wrong answers. We know more about the way the brain acquires language fluency than we did when many of our music education methods books were written, and definitely more than when many of industry norms were formed. Nuanced answer: kids, people and circumstances are INCREDIBLY complex. We don’t teach prototypical humans in labs.

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Tune in, and have your thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com.

Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Get SlidesChoralosophy CommunityNEW! Merch Store!Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok!

For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.com

  View this profile on Instagram      Choralosophy Podcast (@choralosophy) • Instagram photos and videos

RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!Receive 10% Discount on your orders at http://www.graphitepublishing.com where you will find the works of Jocelyn Hagen, Eric Barnum, Timothy C. Takach,
Paul Rudoi and MANY more. The Choralosophy Music Literacy SuiteThe Choralosophy Vocal Ped Suite* Car Thoughts * Choir Director Probs * Choralosophy Book Club * Chris Munce * Community * Covid Conversations * Educational Philosophy * Human Diversity * Instruction and Assessment * International * Lori Sonnenberg * Oxford Series * Podcasts * Politics and Current Events * Student Perspectives * Uncategorized

View Details

Choralosophy Book Club is back with a discussion of the book I am currently reading. “The Anxious Generation” by Jonathan Haidt (author of “The Coddling of the American Mind” and “The Righteous Mind”) which is #1 on NY Times Best Seller ListThis book has powerful insights and implications for teachers in addition to parents. I, of course, have my own thoughts related to how the advent of “the phone based childhood” as Dr. Haidt calls it, has impacted my own children. But in this episode, I will try to keep the focus on how this book can help teachers truly “meet students where they are.”

I see a lot of posts from colleagues who are very hard on themselves for what seems to be declining student motivation, low levels of participation and other negative and noticeable trends. Of course, the teacher does hold a power to motivate for good or ill, but we can’t do it for them. I highly recommend this episode as an introduction to this cutting edge research and analysis. There are skeptics of course, which we will discuss as well.

From the summary of the book: *After more than a decade of stability or improvement, the mental health of adolescents plunged in the early 2010s. Rates of depression, anxiety, self-harm, and suicide rose sharply, more than doubling on many measures. Why?

In The Anxious Generation, social psychologist Jonathan Haidt lays out the facts about the epidemic of teen mental illness that hit many countries at the same time. He then investigates the nature of childhood, including why children need play and independent exploration to mature into competent, thriving adults. Haidt shows how the “play-based childhood” began to decline in the 1980s, and how it was finally wiped out by the arrival of the “phone-based childhood” in the early 2010s. He presents more than a dozen mechanisms by which this “great rewiring of childhood” has interfered with children’s social and neurological development, covering everything from sleep deprivation to attention fragmentation, addiction, loneliness, social contagion, social comparison, and perfectionism. He explains why social media damages girls more than boys and why boys have been withdrawing from the real world into the virtual world, with disastrous consequences for themselves, their families, and their societies.*

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Tune in, and have your thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com.

Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Get SlidesChoralosophy CommunityNEW! Merch Store!Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok!

For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.com

  View this profile on Instagram      Choralosophy Podcast (@choralosophy) • Instagram photos and videos

RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!Receive 10% Discount on your orders at http://www.graphitepublishing.com where you will find the works of Jocelyn Hagen, Eric Barnum, Timothy C. Takach,
Paul Rudoi and MANY more. The Choralosophy Music Literacy SuiteThe Choralosophy Vocal Ped Suite* Car Thoughts * Choir Director Probs * Choralosophy Book Club * Chris Munce * Community * Covid Conversations * Educational Philosophy * Human Diversity * Instruction and Assessment * International * Lori Sonnenberg * Oxford Series * Podcasts * Politics and Current Events * Student Perspectives * Uncategorized

View Details

Is it possible that we are all grasping at the wrong straws trying to reach program growth in an equitable way? Bruce Rockwell believes we need a transformative revolution in choral music. One where we turn our collective focus toward the Elementary School Choir. Bruce is a high school choral educator who teaches in a district in which a very small percentage of elementary students are presented with a choral music experience. Across the country, we have a vast inequity in access to choral music making opportunities at the Elementary level. Not only disparities in access to high level choral experiences, but also access to basic, school choirs.

When we don’t have choral students, we don’t have choral parents. When we don’t have choral parents, we don’t have administrators that see it as important. This is the danger of not tending the roots. We have developed a top down perspective on what we are concerned with.

We are concerned with equity and issues of representation at the top. “Who makes all state choir?” “Who’s music is being programmed?” These are fine things to ask. But, this like noticing blemishes on a leaf and continuously pruning without bothering to check the tree under the earth.

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. We also discuss the problem of our professional organizations being run by mostly Collegiate directors. These directors may be very supportive of elementary music, but may be separated from the consequences. You can have an inequitable system, and still have it look just fine at the top.

Tune in, and have your thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com.

Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Get SlidesChoralosophy CommunityNEW! Merch Store!Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok!

For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.com

Bruce Rockwell is the choir director at College Park High School in Pleasant Hill, California. He has taught choir, piano and guitar at College Park for 15 years, instrumental music at the San Francisco Waldorf schools, and theory and musicianship at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music’s pre-college division. Mr. Rockwell received is MM in Composition from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and his BA in Music from the University of California at Santa Cruz.

RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!Receive 10% Discount on your orders at http://www.graphitepublishing.com where you will find the works of Jocelyn Hagen, Eric Barnum, Timothy C. Takach,
Paul Rudoi and MANY more. The Choralosophy Music Literacy SuiteThe Choralosophy Vocal Ped Suite* Car Thoughts * Choir Director Probs * Choralosophy Book Club * Chris Munce * Community * Covid Conversations * Educational Philosophy * Human Diversity * Instruction and Assessment * International * Lori Sonnenberg * Oxford Series * Podcasts * Politics and Current Events * Student Perspectives * Uncategorized

View Details

Tim’s article “How to Ruin an Alto” was published in 1982-83 in The Choral Journal and in MENC’s publication. It included some strong language like “there are no good reasons for allowing women to sing tenor.”In this episode Timothy Mount, a Professor Emeritus at Stony Brook University, joins me to discuss his very strongly worded article from the early 1980’s and in what ways he still agrees and disagrees with himself forty years ago. We discuss the thorny issue of balancing the choir’s need for balance and timbre preferences against the vocal needs of the individual singer. One of the claims in Tim’s article was “forcing the female chest voice upwards is dangerous.” In the episode, we discuss this belief and whether or not it is out of date in 2024.

We also discuss the ways gendered language attached to voice parts, and the norms related to these terms has changed since the article was published. Recently, Tim tried to repost this article on the ACDA Facebook page in an attempt to try and discuss some of these changes of perspective, but it was taken down. I personally disagreed with a good number of things in Tim’s article, but I give him credit for being willing to discuss publicly how his views on a variety of these topics has changed over the course of his career. We can only move forward and grow when we can be intellectually flexible.

Tune in, and have your thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com.

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Get SlidesChoralosophy CommunityNEW! Merch Store!Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok!

For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!

Timothy Mount, pianist, singer, and choral conductor, is Professor Emeritus of conducting at Stony Brook University, one of the leading graduate music programs in the country. He conducted 9 commercial CD’s with professional choirs and orchestras in New York City and Moscow and 2 with the Stony Brook Camerata Singers. Tim has guest conducted many choirs and for over 10 years was conductor of the professional chorus and orchestra at the San Luis Obispo Mozart Festival. In the Spring of 2023, he guest conducted the distinguished Crane Chorus at SUNY Potsdam.

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comHe published 5 articles concerning choral music and a video, Refine Your Conducting Technique, available from Santa Barbara Music. His article, Preparing for the First Rehearsal appeared in The Choral Journal in the summer of 2023. He guest conducted the renowned Crane Chorus in the spring of 2023.

A bass-baritone, Tim sang with virtually every professional choir in New York City. He is the pianist for the Trillium Chamber Players.

RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!Receive 10% Discount on your orders at http://www.graphitepublishing.com where you will find the works of Jocelyn Hagen, Eric Barnum, Timothy C. Takach,
Paul Rudoi and MANY more. The Choralosophy Music Literacy SuiteThe Choralosophy Vocal Ped Suite* Car Thoughts * Choir Director Probs * Choralosophy Book Club * Chris Munce * Community * Covid Conversations * Educational Philosophy * Human Diversity * Instruction and Assessment * International * Lori Sonnenberg * Oxford Series * Podcasts * Politics and Current Events * Student Perspectives * Uncategorized

View Details

The Oakwood University Aeolians have a long standing and proud tradition. Over the last few years, they shot to international fame. Jeremy Jordan is tasked with keeping the flame alive.Ever since Jason Ferdinand moved from Oakwood, the choir world started to wonder what was next for the Aeolians. After their 2019 National ACDA performance, they were thrust into the conversations about the “BEST” collegiate choirs in the world. I started to wonder who the next director would be and what kind of pressure might be attached.

Enter Jeremy Sovoy Jordan, an Oakwood Alumn, composer, conductor and mutli-faceted musician who knows, loves and appreciates the history and tradition of this renowned ensemble. In this conversation Jeremy and I discuss what it has been like to take over the group and his dreams for the future. We also discuss ideas about programming in terms of repertoire, as well as philosophies related to creating an ensemble cohesion and culture.

Tune in, and have your thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com.

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Get SlidesChoralosophy CommunityNEW! Merch Store!Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok!

For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!

Jeremy Sovoy Jordan – A native of Huntsville, AL, Jeremy Sovoy Jordan attended Oakwood University where he studied vocal performance and pedagogy and was a member of the Aeolians, under the direction of Jason Max Ferdinand. In 2017 along with his brother Justin, Jordan was inducted into the North Alabama Boys & Girls Club Hall of Fame. In 2013, he accepted the position of Director of Music and Choral Department at Miami Union Academy (MUA), teaching grades 6th-12th.

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comMUA is a historically black private academy that has been in existence since 1917. The high school choir enjoyed much success under the direction of Jordan, being participants in the 2018 Music for All National Choir Festival. They’ve also had the privilege of performing at the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, GA. Under his leadership, the MUA Choral Department initiated an annual social justice concert to raise awareness about the injustices our students see in their communities and the world at large. Jeremy also serves as Conductor and Composer-in-Redsidence for the New Canon Chamber Collective Orchestra whose goal and purpose are to promote new and existing compositions by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color(BIPOC) composers. Jordan is currently the Director of Choral Activities and conductor of the Aeolians of Oakwood University.

Find Justin on Social Media!

RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!IG – oakwoodaeolians

FB – The Aeolians

TikTok – TheAeoliansofOU

Receive 10% Discount on your orders at http://www.graphitepublishing.com where you will find the works of Jocelyn Hagen, Eric Barnum, Timothy C. Takach,
Paul Rudoi and MANY more. The Choralosophy Music Literacy SuiteThe Choralosophy Vocal Ped Suite* Car Thoughts * Choir Director Probs * Choralosophy Book Club * Chris Munce * Community * Covid Conversations * Educational Philosophy * Human Diversity * Instruction and Assessment * International * Lori Sonnenberg * Oxford Series * Podcasts * Politics and Current Events * Student Perspectives * Uncategorized

View Details

Odell’s presentation was discussed in a recent Choral Journal article, but not named. This is his side of the story. Find more blogs at Choralosophy.Substack.comBy Odell Zeigler

March 23rd, 2024

In April of 2023, I was fortunate to present “An Unconventional Approach to the Urban Chorus Classroom” at the NAfME Eastern Division Conference, which was held in Rochester, New York. The objective of my presentation is that participants will be able to recognize their own challenges in the urban choral setting and combat them by implementing unconventional or modified strategies to foster music literacy growth and success in their programs.

Subscribe FREE to “Choralosophy Community.”Shop the MerchSupport ChoralosophyMy presentation speaks on today’s myths and barriers in urban education related to literacy in music education. I wholeheartedly believe in the mantra that is presented on Choralosophy. Namely, that “literacy is equity.” I highlight issues new choral directors may experience starting in the urban chorus classroom. Notably, I offer suggestions and pedagogical tips to bring success to their programs. The goal is to highlight music literacy “as a whole” and encourage teachers to give all students access to music literacy instruction. The unconventional part of the presentation speaks about the various routes to engage students in the classical style of choral music if they are unfamiliar with it. It speaks on unconventionality as a jumpstart to the main goal, music literacy. In this manner, we begin to debunk myths and embrace diversity for all learners.

www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students! While presenting on this topic, several questions were raised during my presentation, and I answered them as they came in instead of waiting until the end of my session. The main reason I decided to take questions throughout my presentation was due to the high level of engagement and passion from teachers from the start. Teachers were anxious and wanted an understanding of every step within the process in which I have successfully gotten students in the urban setting to learn and grow as musically literate musicians. I took questions as my objective for the presentation was being fulfilled through the participants’ inquisitiveness.

One particular educator raised several questions about my presentation. This person was concerned that my presentation was too focused on the reading of musical notation and believed teaching music literacy was a white-washed concept. I responded to each question asked, but I did pose a few questions for him. A few questions I asked him:

If you can read music, why wouldn’t you want your students to learn to read music?
If you were accepted into a music school, you were taught how to read music and navigate a score, so why shouldn’t we teach it?
Should we stop teaching minority students how to read in elementary school? Is literacy in the general education curriculum fine?
Do you feel the issue with getting all students to read music based on resources, or is it a teacher (pedagogy) problem?
Does the all-state audition rubric in your state only have sight reading as a criterion? How many points is it worth? I have never seen a state rubric anywhere that requires a perfect sight-reading score for students to earn a spot in the all-state choir. Please direct me to this rubric.

RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!I alluded to the idea that it is not equitable for minority learners not to learn how to read music. The clinician eventually ran out of questions and agreed to talk after my session. I connected with this person, and we agreed to disagree, and I was confident in a clear path to a resolution.

At any rate, I was alarmed to see the February 2024 issue of Choral Journal online, which featured an article titled “A Skills-First Approach to the All-State Choir Selection Process,” by Dr. Marshaun Hymon. (Who appeared on Choralosophy to discuss it in Episode 184.) The title grabbed my attention, so I began reading the article. After reading the first paragraph, I quickly identified the author before I jumped to conclusions. After discovering who the author was, I knew the article was about my presentation and my philosophy of music education.

Receive 10% Discount on your orders at graphitepublishing.com. Here you will find the worksocelyn Hagen, Eric Barnum, Timothy C. Takach, Paul Rudoi and MANY more. Notably, “A Skills-First Approach to the All-State Choir Selection Process” is a passable title with fair-to-middle supporting details. The article describes a skills-first approach to all-state choir selection as being broader than sight-reading only. In the author’s redefining attempt, he explicitly states what is already the standard, in which he brings up expressive singing, feeling the rhythm, internalizing the beat, and producing a quality tone. Are these the criteria on the rubric for all state auditions already? Have you ever seen an all-state rubric with sight reading as the only criterion? If this is the case, I agree with the author and everyone who has advocated for removing sight-reading. This makes the supporting points for removing sight-reading frivolous and futile. In addition, I have seen students make it into the all-state choir with less-than-perfect sight-reading scores, so this explains why the skills-first approach is already beyond just sight-reading. If a kid can flawlessly sight-read but bombs the solo audition piece, they will not make it into the all-state choir. Is sight-reading the only reason certain students are not making it into all-state choirs? People arguing for the removal of sight-reading are making a case that it’s a Eurocentric thing, and I want a better understanding as we should try to find a clear path to resolution. My biggest question would be, “Why do we bring up Eurocentrism when it comes to reading music only? Do we consider common core curriculum literacy Eurocentric? I’ll let you answer the question; however, we strongly encourage our children and students to read well. If they can’t read well, we see the reading coaches and reading interventionists pulling kids out of class to teach them how to read. As parents, we even read stories to them before bed, we may participate in summer reaching challenges at the library, and we reinforce reading after school by documenting reading logs, etc.

Listen to Odell on ChoralosophyA popular rationalization brought up by some educators is the lack of resources and how students cannot learn and develop literacy skills. I repeat it often and remind everyone that it is a pedagogy issue, not a resource issue. I remember a former teacher in Illinois who talked about teaching students to read music from his hand as his five fingers represented the five lines, and spaces between the fingers represented the four spaces. I often heard this process quoted by a retired choral director in Norfolk, Virginia. In other words, resources were never a hindrance for these teachers, and they ensured their students learned how to read music. I did not share that to say it is an ideal way to teach but to share that where there is a will (good pedagogy, too), there is a way.

The last point I want to bring forth from the article is learning music before an audition. The author expresses that not all districts can hire vocal teachers or accompanists to help students learn the music before arriving for the all-state audition because of poor funding. The point made here was the most significant substandard point I read throughout the article. Teachers should help students learn the music before all-state; once students’ reading skills develop, they can teach themselves the music, and vocal tracks can be created by “someone” or a music program.

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comThe entire article is about Eurocentrism, poor funding, no resources, and sight-reading, but never mentions anything about quality teaching, professional development, or the need for competent teachers with solid choral/vocal pedagogy. Many teachers struggle to teach the skill, which is the bottom line. When we begin here, we will talk less about sight-reading and more about professional development for teachers who do not have the skills to chunk, scaffold, and create a space where critical thinkers consistently engage in higher-order thinking skills and are in the work zone of proximal development.

“What are music educators bickering about? What are we really saying? Don’t we all agree?” I will not dare attempt to be a spokesperson for all. Still, I am finding more and more that several music educators agree, and the various perspectives on music literacy have caused philosophical bickering. What does music literacy mean? Let us separate the compound word “Music Literacy” and define it. Oxford Dictionary defines music as “the art or science of combining vocal or instrumental sounds to produce beauty of form, harmony, melody, rhythm, expressive content, etc. “Literacy is the quality, condition, or state of being literate; the ability to read and write.” I separated “Music Literacy” as we have dichotomized the two and inadvertently created a national music teacher contest/poll. Interestingly, once we filter through all the perspectives, we quickly realize that we are all on the same page, which ultimately means we are all on the same team. Nobody said we should only read music, and nobody said we should only learn by rote. The issue is creating unspoken polls, and folks are subconsciously voting for one or the other. We must be mindful that both the aural and visual components of music education work concurrently. The common goal is to make the music-making experience a joy for our students and create lifelong patrons of the arts.

If you think Literacy is Equity, you can wear it!My music career has been rewarding, and the most rewarding part has been seeing students grow as musicians, singers, and people. I find the most joy in seeing students mature over their time in my program. My passion has been urban education, primarily in settings with families with low socio-economic status. I have discovered that the most talented, resilient learners are in this setting. We must teach literacy to students in this setting. Nevertheless, as we all may agree to disagree, we all agree because learning music by rote and reading music go hand in hand. It is rote before the note, ear before the eye, and sound before the sound, so everyone should start without notation. The notation part starts after and sometimes in conjunction with the aural training. If you already focus more on the aural training, teaching them to read will not be a problem. The inverse cannot happen because students who do not have good aural skills cannot sight-read well. I would love to see more college professors speak up on this issue!

View Details

Queens is one of the most diverse places in the world. How can music serve as a “common language” for diverse students?This week, I am joined by Shanan Estreicher, a middle and elementary music teacher in Queens, New York. Shanan is also a composer, and songwriter who has found a magic formula to reach the students of a Title 1 school with a constantly in flux student population. The formula includes general music, chorus, songwriting and more to bridge cultural, language and prior knowledge gaps.

In this discussion, Mr. Estreicher and I discuss the challenges as well as the life enriching benefits of teaching at-risk students, as well as the mindset he developed as he began his teaching career hoping for that “dream gig” and discovering that he had the power to build the dream in Queens. Many teachers “burn out” in Title 1 schools, but Shanan provides an inspiring story of how a teacher can make a difference in the lives of kids that desperately need a reason to come to school.

Tune in, and have your thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com.

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Get SlidesChoralosophy CommunityNEW! Merch Store!Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok!

For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!

Shanan Estreicher is a composer and songwriter living in New York City. He studied music at the Manhattan School of Music and Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College.

He has composed orchestral, choral, and chamber music, art songs, and music for theater, TV, and film. His compositions have been performed at Carnegie Hall, featured on NBC, Lifetime, and Fox, and can be heard on Composer Concordance Records (Naxos). As a songwriter, he released five albums as a solo artist and with the alt-country group The Brown Trousers. Shanan has collaborated extensively with Grammy Award-winning producer Brian Forbes and received grants from New Music USA and Queens Council on the Arts.

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comRecent premieres include “A Concordance of Leaves”, a new cantata for choir and baritone soloist with poetry by Philip Metres (Copper Canyon Publishing) by choral director James John, the Queens College Vocal Ensemble, and baritone soloist Andrew Wannigman, “I Laughed So Hard I Cried” by the Overlook Quartet, “All You Shining Stars” by the Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra featuring multi-genre trumpeter Itamar Borochov, “Songs of Emily Dickinson” by Sarah Shafer (Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera) and the Chamber Orchestra of New York at Carnegie Hall, and various commissions for Composers Concordance and Access Contemporary Music.

As a founding board member of the Chamber Orchestra of New York, Shanan has helped lead the ensemble to international success and acclaim. He served as Co-Artistic Producer for the orchestra’s Naxos recordings of Respighi’s “The Birds”, Ralph Vaughan Williams’s “The Lark Ascending”, Respighi’s “Ancient Airs and Dances”, and Salvatore Di Vittorio’s Symphonies 3 and 4. Shanan has also designed and launched an educational outreach program called Maestro Juniors for the orchestra which brings live classical music performances to title-one schools in New York City.

One of Shanan’s greatest joys is sharing his passion for music with children. For over seventeen years he has taught music at a public school in Queens, NY. The documentary “Rise Up and Sing—The Movie” chronicles his work with the P.S./I.S. 127 Chorus. He is also the founder and director of the Queens County Choral Festival for elementary and middle school students.

RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!website

https://www.estreicher.com

Any other relevant links or Social Media pages you would like me to plug for you?

Links to stream or download his new album “A Concordance of Leaves”

https://songwhip.com/queenscollegevocalensemble/shanan-estreicher-a-concordance-of-leaves

Instagram Page

https://www.instagram.com/shanan_estreicher_composer

Receive 10% Discount on your orders at http://www.graphitepublishing.com where you will find the works of Jocelyn Hagen, Eric Barnum, Timothy C. Takach,
Paul Rudoi and MANY more. The Choralosophy Music Literacy SuiteThe Choralosophy Vocal Ped Suite* Car Thoughts * Choir Director Probs * Choralosophy Book Club * Chris Munce * Community * Covid Conversations * Educational Philosophy * Human Diversity * Instruction and Assessment * International * Lori Sonnenberg * Oxford Series * Podcasts * Politics and Current Events * Student Perspectives * Uncategorized

View Details

Dr. Bridget Sweet is the first scholar to examine adolescent female voice change through systematic research protocolsThis week, we fill in a major gap in programming on the Choralosophy podcast. This is the FIRST episode on the feed diving into research and teaching practice of the female changing voice in adolescence. There will be more to come! But, for this episode I am joined be one of our pre-eminent experts, Dr. Bridget Sweet. “The Larynx is not a vagina.” Bridget advocates that we spend more time teaching kids about the physiology. The kids may giggle when you show a picture of a larynx, but they will get over it.

In this episode we talk about the issues created by the gap in choral music education about this topic and related research, as well as strategies for teachers to address the changes in girls voices and to normalize the experience in the same way we should for boys. We also discuss the realities that teachers face that cause us to focus more on the voice changes of the boys. It gets more of our attention, so often, the girls needs go unaddressed. Part of this occurs with the overly common practice of voice part labels applied to girls at way too early an age. This episode is helpful, challenging and so important!

Dr. Sweet’s Books:Growing Musicians: Teaching Music in Middle School and Beyond

Thinking Outside the Voice Box: Adolescent Voice Change in Music Education

Tune in, and have your thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com.

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Get SlidesChoralosophy CommunityNEW! Merch Store!Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok!

For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comBridget Sweet is Associate Professor of Music Education at University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign, Illinois. After completing her Bachelors Degree in Music Education at Western Michigan University, Dr. Sweet enjoyed a successful tenure as a middle school choir teacher for nearly ten years. Her interests in adolescent music education intensified during her Masters and Doctoral programs in Music Education at Michigan State University, which contributed to her research focused on characteristics of effective and exemplary middle-level music teachers. Prior to her work at the University of Illinois, Dr. Sweet was Assistant Professor of Music Education at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA. At the University of Illinois, Dr. Sweet teaches secondary music education pedagogy, including choral methods and literature, graduate courses in music education, as well as a course focused on the development of healthy practices for all musicians. She is a Licensed Body Mapping Educator through the Association for Body Mapping Education.

RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!Dr. Sweet continues to work extensively with adolescent singers as a teacher, clinician, and conductor; she has been invited to conduct middle and high school All-State Choirs and Honors Choirs in many states. Dr. Sweet wrote the books Growing Musicians: Teaching Music in Middle School and Beyond (2016, Oxford University Press) and Thinking Outside the Voice Box: Adolescent Voice Change in Music Education (2020, Oxford University Press). Dr. Sweet’s research interests include middle level choral music education, [assigned at birth] female and male adolescent voice change, musician health and wellness, intersections of LGBTQ+ topics and the music classroom, as well as intersections of motherhood and academia.

Receive 10% Discount on your orders at http://www.graphitepublishing.com where you will find the works of Jocelyn Hagen, Eric Barnum, Timothy C. Takach,
Paul Rudoi and MANY more. Her research has appeared in publications of Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education, Choral Journal, International Journal of Music Education: Research, Journal of Research in Music Education and Update: Applications of Research in Music Education. She has authored chapters within The Oxford Handbook of Qualitative Research in American Music Education (2014) and The Oxford Handbook of Care in Music Education. Dr. Sweet was initiated as a Friend of the Arts to the Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity (2021). She is a member of the Editorial Committee of the Bulletin of the Council of Research in Music Education, International Journal of Research in Choral Music, Journal of Research in Music Education, and Qualitative Research in Music Education.

The Choralosophy Music Literacy SuiteThe Choralosophy Vocal Ped Suite* Car Thoughts * Choir Director Probs * Choralosophy Book Club * Chris Munce * Community * Covid Conversations * Educational Philosophy * Human Diversity * Instruction and Assessment * International * Lori Sonnenberg * Oxford Series * Podcasts * Politics and Current Events * Student Perspectives * Uncategorized

View Details

Is “Tough Love” outdated? Or is it the tool of caring parents and educators? Recently, a “Facebook post dialogue” of sorts went viral amongst music educators between Juilliard professor Geoffrey Keezer and James Falzone. Professor Keezer made a relatively short post related to the problems he is seeing in his teaching position related to reliability and accountability for students. It resonated with thousands of people as it got shared and discussed. But, it kind of had a “kids these days” feeling to it, so not everyone responded sympathetically. Enter, James Falzone. He crafted an essay in response encouraging a much more introspective approach to the very real issue that Professor Keezer was speaking to.

That’s where this episode comes in. I was clued in to this discourse when I saw it shared by this week’s guest, Dr. Jonathan Talberg. Jonathan has decades of experience teaching at the post-secondary level, so I asked him to join me to parse out some nuance in this discussion. We wrestle with questions about “tough love” and “holding students accountable.” How do these ideas mesh with this generation of students and their changing needs, values and sensibilities? And maybe most importantly, how do we navigate all of this while NOT lowering our academic standards?

Tune in, and have your thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com.

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Get SlidesChoralosophy CommunityNEW! Merch Store!Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok!

For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comRecipient of the President’s Award from the California Music Educators Association honoring “extraordinary accomplishments in music education,” Dr. Jonathan Talberg serves as Director of Choral Activities at the Bob Cole Conservatory, where he is conductor of the international award-winning Bob Cole Conservatory Chamber Choir and the CSULB University Choir. Recent career highlights include leading the Chamber Choir to first place at the Austrian Spittal International Choir Festival and the “Choir of the World” competition in Wales. Additionally, he and the choir have performed with groups as diverse as the Kronos Quartet, the Los Angeles Master Chorale, the Pacific Symphony and the Rolling Stones.

A passionate advocate for choral music education, Dr. Talberg is regularly engaged to conduct honor choirs across the US, including numerous all-state choruses, and National Association for Music Education conference choirs. His choirs from Long Beach State have performed in venues throughout Europe and Asia, including the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, and the Great Hall of the People in China.

RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!His professional experience includes appointments as Director of Music at the First Congregational Church of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Bach Festival. He also served as Conducting Assistant to the Cincinnati Symphony and the Aspen Music Festival and as principal choral conductor at Arrowbear Music Camp in Southern California. A past-president of the California Choral Directors Association, he serves as an editor at Pavane Music Publishing, where a choral series dedicated to outstanding quality, collegiate-level music is published under his name. He taught high school choral music and drama for five years before moving into higher education.

Of the many hats he wears each day, the one he is most proud of is mentor to the next generation of choral musicians. Alumni of the Bob Cole Conservatory Choral Studies program are teaching at elementary, middle and high schools, churches, community colleges and four-year universities throughout the country. Scores of alumni are professional singers—in opera, musical theater, choirs, church music, jazz and pop.

Receive 10% Discount on your orders at http://www.graphitepublishing.com where you will find the works of Jocelyn Hagen, Eric Barnum, Timothy C. Takach,
Paul Rudoi and MANY more. Bob Cole Conservatory choral studies graduates are currently earning—or have finished—their doctorates at some of the finest institutions in the country, including the University of Michigan, the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati, Indiana University, the University of Kentucky, the University of Iowa, the University of Houston, the University of Southern California and UCLA.

Dr. Talberg received his BM in Choral Conducting from Chapman University, where he received the Outstanding Alumnus in the Arts award in 2014. He earned his MM and DMA in Choral Conducting from the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music and completed a post-doctoral fellowship with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Pops, and the May Festival Chorus. His conducting teachers include Roger Wagner, William Hall, Earl Rivers, John Leman and Elmer Thomas.

The Choralosophy Music Literacy SuiteThe Choralosophy Vocal Ped Suite* Car Thoughts * Choir Director Probs * Choralosophy Book Club * Chris Munce * Community * Covid Conversations * Educational Philosophy * Human Diversity * Instruction and Assessment * International * Lori Sonnenberg * Oxford Series * Podcasts * Politics and Current Events * Student Perspectives * Uncategorized

View Details

Professor and researcher Martin Ashley from the UK is back to talk about more recent research related to the boys changing voice from both a biological and empirical view, as well as a qualitative experiential one. We discuss his latest compilation of crucial information, which he has made available for FREE. The eBook is called “Dead Composers and Living Boys.” It is a treasure trove of data, anecdote and advice for teachers of adolescent male singers.

“The word “boy” is more of a social term than a biological or medical one. It is not uncommon in choral work for the words “boy” and “treble” to be used interchangeably, but this is not helpful. A young male who sings a soprano or perhaps alto line could be either a child or an adolescent… Boys, it is often said, do not want to “sound like girls”, but until adolescence, boys’ and girls’ voices are physically the same. Any perceived differences in children’s voices will be learned cultural ones, not biological ones. Adolescence is when voices diverge and the male singing adventure really begins.” -an excerpt from Martin’s book.

In this episode, Martin and I discuss common misunderstandings and mythology around the boys changing voice, and some of the most vital pieces of information all teachers of adolescent boys need to know in order to address the biggest demographic access gap in choral music education. Boys aren’t singing.

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Get SlidesChoralosophy CommunityNEW! Merch Store!Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok!

For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comProfessor Martin Ashley PhD is editor-in-chief of ABCD Choral Singing Research, the peer-reviewed research journal of the Association of British Choral Directors, having retired from his position as Head of Research in the Faculty of Education at Edge Hill University in 2013. After working in sound recording for the BBC he trained as a middle school music teacher. He worked in a variety of school settings teaching both music and his other specialism of environmental science before moving into university work. Whilst at the University of the West of England in Bristol he designed and led a 3+1 route of degree + PGCE in primary education for teachers wishing to specialise in music and the performing arts. A post-doctoral fellowship awarded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council allowed him to develop a longstanding interest in the impact of boys’ understanding of voice on their musical learning.

RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!Since writing the book How High Should Boys Sing? he has published widely on the topic of male singing during early adolescence, collaborating with the late Don Collins of the Cambiata Vocal Institute of America. He has subsequently worked in collaboration with a paediatric specialist and phoniatrician on the timing of puberty and voice change and remains as consultant editor for OUP’s Emerging Voices series of cambiata vocal arrangements. His most recent book was Singing in the Lower Secondary School in the OUP music education series.

Receive 10% Discount on your orders at http://www.graphitepublishing.com where you will find the works of Jocelyn Hagen, Eric Barnum, Timothy C. Takach,
Paul Rudoi and MANY more. Immediately prior to the Covid-19 pandemic he was working on the consequences of earlier voice change and boys’ musical maturity in mixed gender settings and had published work on historical trends in puberty, Tudor pitch and the sixteenth century mean voice.In response to the covid pandemic, he assembled a small team of virologists and public health professionals to produce a rapid response review for ABCD and is currently working on studies of boys choirs responding to the covid pandemic around the world, and a UK study of community choirs and shared rehearsal spaces.

The Choralosophy Music Literacy SuiteThe Choralosophy Vocal Ped Suite* Car Thoughts * Choir Director Probs * Choralosophy Book Club * Chris Munce * Community * Covid Conversations * Educational Philosophy * Human Diversity * Instruction and Assessment * International * Lori Sonnenberg * Oxford Series * Podcasts * Politics and Current Events * Student Perspectives * Uncategorized

View Details

In the digital realm where voices meet ideas, there’s a podcast that’s become a community hub for Choral Music: The Choralosophy Podcast started in February 2019. It was just a small gathering of a few hundred colleagues, sharing their love for choral music.

Then, the unexpected happened. When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, episode 33 of the podcast seemed to strike a chord with thousands. Suddenly, it wasn’t just about music anymore – it sparked conversations among over 15,000 people and even caught the eye of the New York Times. That was the turning point. All the while, we have staid true to our mission of provided robust, well researched, and thoroughly presented professional development resources for FREE to educators on demand. Topics like Music Literacy, Vocal Pedagogy, Classroom Management and Grading procedures are regular features on the show.

What makes the Choralosophy Podcast special is its willingness to tackle the tough stuff. The guests and I dive into everything from music education to psychology, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and even broader topics like politics and education systems. As a result, the show has had its fair share of controversy. Generating buzz both positive and negative, but always having an impact on the conversation and expanding the Overton Window in Choral Music. Some think the show is “conservative,” some think it’s “too woke.” Some have called me the “Joe Rogan” of choir podcasts, or a “pusher of dangerous ideologies,” while still others thank me for speaking up for a lot of people who don’t feel safe to speak up themselves.

We’ve hosted some big names, sure, like Eric Whitacre, John Rutter, and Andre Thomas. But what really sets this podcast apart is its diverse range of voices. From educators to thought leaders in various fields, everyone brings something valuable to the table.

Now, five years later, the Choralosophy Podcast isn’t just a podcast – it’s a global community and multi-media platform. Thousands of listeners tune in regularly, not just for the professional resources, but for the conversations that challenge and inspire us all to learn and grow.

In a world where connection is more important than ever, the Choralosophy Podcast wants reminds us that our voices matter – and that together, we can create something truly beautiful. Tune in to this short episode as we look back, AND look forward to the next five years!

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Get SlidesChoralosophy CommunityNEW! Merch Store!Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok!

For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comRyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!Receive 10% Discount on your orders at http://www.graphitepublishing.com where you will find the works of Jocelyn Hagen, Eric Barnum, Timothy C. Takach,
Paul Rudoi and MANY more. The Choralosophy Music Literacy SuiteThe Choralosophy Vocal Ped Suite* Car Thoughts * Choir Director Probs * Choralosophy Book Club * Chris Munce * Community * Covid Conversations * Educational Philosophy * Human Diversity * Instruction and Assessment * International * Lori Sonnenberg * Oxford Series * Podcasts * Politics and Current Events * Student Perspectives * Uncategorized

View Details

Activist, author Chloé Valdary is a diversity and anti-racism trainer with a refreshingly loving approach. This week, on Valentine’s Day, I am encouraging us to approach our ensembles, our classes, our colleagues and our neighbors with Agape.

In music education, we have a very popular, and important euphemism: “I want my students to see themselves in the music, or in the ensembles I have them watch” based on the finding people who look like them. And this representation does matter! But what I don’t hear enough is, “I want my students to learn to see themselves in everyone, and in ALL of the music we learn.” This introspective approach is echoed in Chloé’s fascinating brand of Anti-Racism.

One of the core premises that Chloé likes to communicate is that if you can’t apply the principle James Baldwin describes here to YOURSELF, then it will not have any value in healing the rifts between us. If you see it only as a principle that applies to others, we will never enter important conversations as equals. She trains, teaches and advocates for a type of conversation about diversity in schools, groups and organizations that starts with introspection and search for our common humanity.

Be sure to weigh in on the Choralosophers facebook page, on Substack or any posts related to this episode! Be sure to check out DOJO and get the trainings for individuals!

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Get SlidesChoralosophy CommunityNEW! Merch Store!Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok!

For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comFrom Theory of Enchantment: One particular day, in a religious studies class, my professor, an agnostic, shows us a documentary called Jesus Camp. It follows a group of evangelical Christians at their summer camp for kids. The subjects are not portrayed in a positive light.

Suddenly, a student in our class starts to rail against the Christians in the movie, and I peg my agnostic professor as a person who won’t mind. How wrong I am. It becomes a shouting match between her and the student. My professor vigorously defends the Christians in the documentary, saying we all gravitate toward things that give us a feeling of meaning and significance, belonging, and community.
Then she says,

She defies the agnostic box I placed her in. The frameworks that I am using to find meaning in the world are no longer sufficient. I am desperate for one that is. Slowly but surely, I realize I am outgrowing
my religion.

I grew up in New Orleans with four sisters. We were an extremely atypical Christian family, and my parents deeply inculcated a strict religious philosophy. We didn’t observe Christian holidays, we observed Jewish holidays. Church was on Saturday instead of Sunday, and Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur were celebrated instead of Christmas and Easter.

RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!From my mother, a homemaker, I absorbed a deep inquisitiveness about human beings. From my dad, a banker, I gained a reverence for the numinous and the transcendent. But I also came out of childhood dogmatic in certain ways.

I went to a performing arts high school then to the University of New Orleans, where I became an activist.

Receive 10% Discount on your orders at http://www.graphitepublishing.com where you will find the works of Jocelyn Hagen, Eric Barnum, Timothy C. Takach,
Paul Rudoi and MANY more. The Choralosophy Music Literacy SuiteThe Choralosophy Vocal Ped Suite* Car Thoughts * Choir Director Probs * Choralosophy Book Club * Chris Munce * Community * Covid Conversations * Educational Philosophy * Human Diversity * Instruction and Assessment * International * Lori Sonnenberg * Oxford Series * Podcasts * Politics and Current Events * Student Perspectives * Uncategorized

View Details

Nicholas Weininger, software engineer and composer, joins me this week to discuss the power of the Hebrew language in choral settings. Both in terms of its sonority and aspects of diction, but also in the contributions many ancient Hebrew texts can make to our philosophical discourses to this day.

We discuss the difficulties finding choral music with rich Hebrew text, we also analyze a passage from Ecclesiastes that is the basis of a new Cantata that Nicholas composed after the pandemic. The discussion then moves to the coincidence of the new cantata’s birth into the world during a time of surging anti-Semitism and post pandemic searches for accountability and reflection. This was a very thought provoking discussion, and we hope you will join us!

Be sure to weigh in on the Choralosophers facebook page, on Substack or any posts related to this episode!

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Get SlidesChoralosophy CommunityNEW! Merch Store!Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok!

For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comNicholas Weininger (b. 1978) is a composer, singer, software engineering manager, and leadership coach. Nick’s works have been performed by the International Orange Chorale of San Francisco, Sacred and Profane, Choral Chameleon, Empire City Men’s Chorus, Coro Mundi, West Genesee High School Chorale, and the Germantown Friends School Concert Choir, among others. In March 2023, the Empire City Men’s Chorus premiered Nick’s cantata Hakol Hevel (All is Mere Breath) for TTBB chorus, orchestra, and soloists; the album of the same name, from Navona Records, is available on all major streaming services. Nick’s works are published through Personage Press and ArrangeMe.

Nick has sung with the International Orange Chorale of San Francisco (IOCSF) since 2007. He began composing for IOCSF in 2011 and in 2015-2016 served as IOCSF’s inaugural Composer-in-Residence; the ensemble has performed eleven of his works in all and recorded four on the albums The Unknown Region and Hope in Times of Disquiet. Nick’s 2016 setting of “As kingfishers catch fire”, commissioned by IOCSF, was awarded second prize in the Ithaca College Choral Composition Competition and was a finalist for the 2020 American Prize. Nick’s singing experience also includes stints with the San Francisco Symphony Chorus, Festival Napa Valley Volti Chorale, and Coro Mundi.

In Nick’s non-musical life, he has spent most of his career managing teams of software engineers and mentoring software engineering leaders, notably at Google from 2005 to 2020. He received a PhD in pure mathematics from Rutgers University in 2005. Initially an autodidact composer, Nick took up private composition study with Joseph Stillwell in 2014 and now studies with Vince Peterson. Nick lives in San Francisco with his wife and son.

RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!Receive 10% Discount on your orders at http://www.graphitepublishing.com where you will find the works of Jocelyn Hagen, Eric Barnum, Timothy C. Takach,
Paul Rudoi and MANY more. The Choralosophy Music Literacy SuiteThe Choralosophy Vocal Ped Suite* Car Thoughts * Choir Director Probs * Choralosophy Book Club * Chris Munce * Community * Covid Conversations * Educational Philosophy * Human Diversity * Instruction and Assessment * International * Lori Sonnenberg * Oxford Series * Podcasts * Politics and Current Events * Student Perspectives * Uncategorized

View Details

This podcast has become the place to go for Music Literacy pedagogical training tools for teachers over the last five years. As a result, I have never received as much correspondence about content NOT created by me, than Dr. Marshaun Hymon’s February 2024 Choral Journal Article called “A Skills First Approach to the All-State Choir Selection Process.” Let’s just say, this piece has made a splash!

Literacy is EquityDr. Pittman’s Past EpisodeRead Marshaun’s ArticleWe center the conversation around the ideas presented in the article including whether or not learning to read music is analogous to having to learn to read and write “standard English” vs. African American vernacular, whether “music literacy” can be a useful term when NOT referencing the reading/writing of music, a dissection of how different states assess sight singing, and possible improvements to current systems of assessment. And, of course, we dissect the usefulness of the idea that “a primary focus on music reading does center whiteness.”

Be sure to weigh in on the Choralosophers facebook page, on Substack or any posts related to this episode!

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Get SlidesChoralosophy CommunityNEW! Merch Store!Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok!

For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comDr. Marshaun R. Hymon is the Co-Founder & Managing Partner of True Change Alliance, LLC. He most recently finished a consulting contract with the Getty Museum & Trust where he develop equity-focused programming for their summer internship programs. Aside from various training commitments, he is now on contract with One Workplace supporting in developing organizational DEI strategy. Dr. Hymon is an Assistant Professor and he teaches college, career and employment readiness courses.

Dr. Chantae D. Pittman is the proud director of 3 choral ensembles at Campbell High School. She is in her 14th year of teaching and her 5th at CHS.

RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!Dr. Pittman has been involved in various forms of Fine Arts since she was a small child. Growing up she participated in choirs, band, dance groups, as well as participating in the drama club. She was highly active in her high school Performing Arts program graduating from Lovejoy High School in 2006 with a Fine Arts Seal of Distinction.

She then went on to pursue her Bachelor’s degree at Tennessee State University where she graduated Cum Laude in 2010, and then her Master’s Degree in 2013 from VanderCook College of Music. Dr. Pittman most recently completed her Doctoral degree in Music Education from the University of Georgia on May 2021. GO DAWGS!!

Receive 10% Discount on your orders at http://www.graphitepublishing.com where you will find the works of Jocelyn Hagen, Eric Barnum, Timothy C. Takach,
Paul Rudoi and MANY more. Dr. Pittman continues to perform at the professional level through various solo efforts as well as with the Atlanta Women’s Chorus as well as the Atlanta Symphony Chorus where she has performed at Carnegie Hall in New York and the Kennedy Center in Washington DC.

The Choralosophy Music Literacy SuiteThe Choralosophy Vocal Ped Suite* Car Thoughts * Choir Director Probs * Choralosophy Book Club * Chris Munce * Community * Covid Conversations * Educational Philosophy * Human Diversity * Instruction and Assessment * International * Lori Sonnenberg * Oxford Series * Podcasts * Politics and Current Events * Student Perspectives * Uncategorized

View Details

Are there core skills that MUST be acquired in order to teach music? Should there be? This week, I welcome Lynn Atkins to discuss the current challenges we face getting young teachers ready to teach music in an era when our current students and recent graduates had a pretty serious interruption in their education. In addition to this, we have debates raging about whether or not music degree recipients should even be required to be proficiently literate in notation. Throw in a rapidly increasing cost of tuition, AND a rapidly increasing pressure on collegiate faculties to recruit and retain tuition paying students, and we may have a boiling pot on our hands.

Tune in as Lynn shares his experience teaching at a college in California. We share thoughts about the need for different types of music ed training programs with different barriers to entry, the right of students to be taught be highly competent teachers, and the aspirational goals of an excellent teacher training program.

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Get SlidesChoralosophy CommunityNEW! Merch Store!Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok!

For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comA passionate educator and musician, Lynn Gary Atkins, Jr. promotes honoring the world of his musicians in every choral rehearsal. From 2013-2019, he served as the Artistic Director of One Voice Chorus Richmond, who’s mission is to promote racial reconciliation in the City of Richmond through choral music. An 18 year veteran of teaching choir in schools in Virginia and New Jersey, Lynn is in his second year as Assistant Professor of Music, Director of Choral Activities, and Voice Area Coordinator at California State University Dominguez Hills. He is also Director of Music Ministries at Faith United Methodist Church in Torrance, CA; and Artistic Director of LA Bronze Handbell Ensemble.

Visit Lynn’s websiteRyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!Receive 10% Discount on your orders at http://www.graphitepublishing.com where you will find the works of Jocelyn Hagen, Eric Barnum, Timothy C. Takach,
Paul Rudoi and MANY more. The Choralosophy Music Literacy SuiteThe Choralosophy Vocal Ped Suite* Car Thoughts * Choir Director Probs * Choralosophy Book Club * Chris Munce * Community * Covid Conversations * Educational Philosophy * Human Diversity * Instruction and Assessment * International * Lori Sonnenberg * Oxford Series * Podcasts * Politics and Current Events * Student Perspectives * Uncategorized

View Details

We are doing something different and fun this week! Just me, and three young colleagues about half my age. Over the last few months, I have gotten several requests to do an episode dedicated to the issues and concerns faced by the next generation of educators. What better way to do that than host a panel?!

In this lively discussion with Amenah Ghani, Madelyn Merrell and Victoria Devine, we compare notes on life as a music major in the post-pandemic era and the late 1990’s when I was in undergrad. We also talk about ways young teachers should approach that first job search, and how our educational philosophies evolve over time from that first paper we write about it Junior year. Finally, the guests and I dig in to some keys to success and mindset for young educators.

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Get SlidesChoralosophy CommunityNEW! Merch Store!Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok!

For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comMadelyn Merrell is a singer, pianist, and educator that strives to make music learning responsive to students’ needs and interests. She received her Bachelor of Music Education degree in voice with honors from Jacobs School of Music, with minors in Conducting and General Music Education. She is presently pursuing a Master of Music Education Degree from Cincinnati Conservatory of Music.

Madelyn has performed with Indiana University’s Singing Hoosiers, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, and the Fort Wayne Philharmonic. Besides her classical training, she has experience with musical theatre, contemporary music, and jazz.

www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!She currently works in Chicago Public Schools at Westinghouse College Preparatory High School, where she serves as the choir and piano teacher, as well as the music director for musicals and sponsor of Glee Club and Piano Club. Outside of her this, Madelyn teaches private voice and piano lessons at Pilsen Music Studio. She is dedicated to sharing the joy of music with students of all ages and backgrounds!
Her “Teachergram”: @MsMerrellMusic

RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!Amenah Ghani (she/her) is currently a sophomore general/choral Music Education major at the University of Delaware. From a young age, Amenah displayed an extraordinary affinity for music which was fostered through high level music making with the Princeton Girlchoir from ages 9-18 under the direction of Dr. Lynnel Joy Jenkins.

So far during her time at the University of Delaware, Amenah has been involved in community service organizations and her school of music student council. In addition, she serves as the treasurer of the UD ACDA chapter and the president of the UD NAfME chapter. Through the UD Community Music School, Amenah has taught early childhood music classes, ukulele, and middle school choir. Learning to embrace her solo voice, Amenah is involved with the UD Lyric Theatre and has the immense pleasure of studying voice under Dr. Noël Archambeault.

Receive 10% Discount on your orders at http://www.graphitepublishing.com where you will find the works of Jocelyn Hagen, Eric Barnum, Timothy C. Takach,
Paul Rudoi and MANY more. She has a deep rooted passion for social justice and advocacy work. With patience and creativity, she hopes to instill not just technical expertise but also a deep appreciation for the language of music in her students.

Victoria Devine is in her second year of teaching at Manorhaven Elementary School in Port Washington, NY, as the General Music and Chorus Teacher. She also works as the music director for the Spring Musical at Valley Stream South High School. She received her Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Ithaca College, and will be starting her Masters in Music Education this summer.

The Choralosophy Music Literacy SuiteThe Choralosophy Vocal Ped Suite* Car Thoughts * Choir Director Probs * Choralosophy Book Club * Chris Munce * Community * Covid Conversations * Educational Philosophy * Human Diversity * Instruction and Assessment * International * Lori Sonnenberg * Oxford Series * Podcasts * Politics and Current Events * Student Perspectives * Uncategorized

View Details

This week, I welcome a colleague who shares my crusade of teaching teenagers to be the best they can be through choral music. Jimmy Robertson is a veteran teacher from Garland, TX. In this episode we discuss the ways in which being a teacher can, at times, drain us of our joy. We both love our jobs, but it takes intentionality, and sense of community to feel fulfilled in our careers.

Jimmy offers his insights on our tendency to “burn out” from overwork, unsupportive administrators, lack of connection with colleagues, our OWN need to prepare for the job, and possibly the greatest dragon of them all: the comparison game. “Do I measure up to other choir teachers?” Be sure listen, comment, and share your related experiences.

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Get SlidesChoralosophy CommunityNEW! Merch Store!Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok!

For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comMr. Jimmy Lee Robertson III, aectionately known by his students as “Mr. Rob”, is one of five children and a native of Longview, TX. He is in his fourteenth year of teaching currently serving as Head Director of Choral Activities at Naaman Forest High School in Garland, TX.
Robertson holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Stephen F. Austin State University, and a Master’s in Choral Conducting from Texas Tech University.

www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!His passion for choral music is infectious in that several of his former and current students are All-Region Members, Texas Music Scholars, State Solo and Ensemble Qualifiers, and/or Texas All-State Choir Members. Students under Robertson’s tutelage have gone on to pursue music education at some of the finest music institutions in the country.
Robertson’s professional memberships include Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity, TMEA, TCDA, ACDA, SWACDA, and the Texas Music Adjudicators Association .

When not in the choral classroom, Robertson is in great demand as a UIL
Contest adjudicator, Festival Guest Conductor, All Region clinician, music education advocate, and soloist for weddings, church services, and (most recently) the Dallas Mavericks, performing the Star Spangled Banner there December of 2021.
Robertson is excited for his upcoming Carnegie Hall debut conducting Faure’s Requiem in June of 2025. He looks forward to joining his passion with other like-minded musicians all throughout the world. This choral podcast is dedicated to music education, and choral teachers all over world.

RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!Receive 10% Discount on your orders at http://www.graphitepublishing.com where you will find the works of Jocelyn Hagen, Eric Barnum, Timothy C. Takach,
Paul Rudoi and MANY more. The Choralosophy Music Literacy SuiteThe Choralosophy Vocal Ped Suite* Car Thoughts * Choir Director Probs * Choralosophy Book Club * Chris Munce * Community * Covid Conversations * Educational Philosophy * Human Diversity * Instruction and Assessment * International * Lori Sonnenberg * Oxford Series * Podcasts * Politics and Current Events * Student Perspectives * Uncategorized

View Details

The quest for diversity in Western art music has led to the influx of ‘Westernized’ African music into the choral canon, albeit tagged as ‘world music’. This approach to the inclusion of diverse repertoire has led to the homogenization of indigenous
African folk tunes by non-indigenous composers, thus creating Western-sounding African music.

In this episode, we cover more than just the “how to.” We discuss issues of diversity and access, and the possibility that many popular approaches to these ideals are counterproductive. We also discuss the peculiar and reductive ways that we in the Western World discuss diversity while using extremely reductive terms like broad skin color categories, and continents of origin etc. After all, if we use reductive terms like “African” music, we are missing out on most of the beautiful diversity that the vast continent of Africa has to offer.

Ebuka suggests a helpful, easy to remember framework he calls the “3 Re-s.” Resource-Research-Resolve. We discuss the mistakes many directors make along this continuum as it applies to the Music of Sub-Saharan African musical traditions as well as music of any culture that is not our own.

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Get SlidesChoralosophy CommunityNEW! Merch Store!Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok!

For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comEbuka Ezeakacha, born on February 4, 1988, is a Nigerian-American Choral Conductor and Composer. As the fourth of five siblings and the youngest of four boys, he developed a passion for music early in life. Currently pursuing his doctoral studies in Choral Conducting at the University of Oklahoma, he combines his academic pursuits with his role as the Choir Director at the First Unitarian Church of Oklahoma City.

www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!Ebuka is a devoted advocate for accessible and inclusive programming of Indigenous African Choral Music, aiming to bridge cultural gaps and celebrate the rich musical heritage of the continent. Beyond his choral expertise, he applies his talents as a part-time audio/visual editor and producer, proficient in tools such as Adobe Audition, Adobe Premiere Pro, and FL Studio.

His educational journey includes a Bachelor’s degree in Theater Arts from Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Nigeria, a Master’s degree in Communication from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and a Master’s in Choral Conducting from the University of Oklahoma. In addition to his professional pursuits, Ebuka is a loving husband and father to an incredible boy, with the anticipation of welcoming a beautiful girl as the family expands. His commitment to music, cultural inclusivity, and family exemplifies a harmonious blend of professional and personal achievements.

RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!Receive 10% Discount on your orders at http://www.graphitepublishing.com where you will find the works of Jocelyn Hagen, Eric Barnum, Timothy C. Takach,
Paul Rudoi and MANY more. The Choralosophy Music Literacy SuiteThe Choralosophy Vocal Ped Suite* Car Thoughts * Choir Director Probs * Choralosophy Book Club * Chris Munce * Community * Covid Conversations * Educational Philosophy * Human Diversity * Instruction and Assessment * International * Lori Sonnenberg * Oxford Series * Podcasts * Politics and Current Events * Student Perspectives * Uncategorized

View Details

Another year of Choralosophy has come to a close! In this episode I have collected short clips, commentary and show highlights from the top 10 episodes and milestones of the year!

The criteria is a a bit complex, because the longer the episode is out, the more total people will hear it. So, to make it fair to all episodes over the year, I have come up with a system.

My rubric has evolved to include:

Total downloads/streams
FASTEST to 1000 audience members
Social media splash

The Top 10* #1 Episode 135: The A Cappella Rehearsal * #2 Episode 176: Cementing the Spiritual in American Art * #3 Episode 146: The Vibrato Question * #4 Episode 136: Remaking History * #5 Episode 160: Practical Vocal Acoustics * #6 Episode 137: Literacy is Equity * #7 Episode 171: The Culture of Choral Musicianship * #8 Episode 152: Prioritizing Context and Connection * #9 Episode 172: Dispelling Middle School Myths * #10 Episode 163: Maslow’s Sailboat

I hope you will drop YOUR personal favorites in the comments! I would also love to hear what you want to hear about in 2024! You can also apply to appear on the show to discuss your passion points at Choralosophy.com

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Get SlidesChoralosophy CommunityNEW! Merch Store!Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok!

For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comwww.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!Receive 10% Discount on your orders at http://www.graphitepublishing.com where you will find the works of Jocelyn Hagen, Eric Barnum, Timothy C. Takach,
Paul Rudoi and MANY more. The Choralosophy Music Literacy SuiteThe Choralosophy Vocal Ped Suite* Car Thoughts * Choir Director Probs * Choralosophy Book Club * Chris Munce * Community * Covid Conversations * Educational Philosophy * Human Diversity * Instruction and Assessment * International * Lori Sonnenberg * Oxford Series * Podcasts * Politics and Current Events * Student Perspectives * Uncategorized

View Details

Over the last few weeks I have noticed a storm after the calm in choral music circles. We saw a boil over in Texas when a clinician withdrew from a conference based on a letter from two members that made her feel unwelcome, and a downstream fallout stemming from how the organization handled the issue. We saw a terribly offensive presentation given at a conference in New York that referred to some schools as “Hood” schools and the justified outrage at this affront. Not too long ago, there were arguments about cancelling Jingle Bells, and I am not even mentioning all of the controversies.

As many may know, the mission here at Choralosophy is to HAVE the conversation when others just want to lob social media bombs back and forth. In this episode I do a deep dive on some of the ideas at the root of these disagreements. I do this by telling a story of an online discussion I had about “Colonization and Classical Music.” Because here is the thing: Political footballs have been made of terms like “Critical Race Theory,” and “Intersectionality,” and “Decolonization.” Many, and I would say most, do not use these terms correctly whether they are “for” or “against” the ideas.

It kind of reminds me also of some conversations we had back in 2020 about an infamous essay on Choral Cancel Culture…

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Get SlidesChoralosophy CommunityNEW! Merch Store!Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok!

For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comwww.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!Receive 10% Discount on your orders at http://www.graphitepublishing.com where you will find the works of Jocelyn Hagen, Eric Barnum, Timothy C. Takach,
Paul Rudoi and MANY more. The Choralosophy Music Literacy SuiteThe Choralosophy Vocal Ped Suite* Car Thoughts * Choir Director Probs * Choralosophy Book Club * Chris Munce * Community * Covid Conversations * Educational Philosophy * Human Diversity * Instruction and Assessment * International * Lori Sonnenberg * Oxford Series * Podcasts * Politics and Current Events * Student Perspectives * Uncategorized

View Details

This week, Dr. Anthony Trecek-King joins the Choralosophy conversation by joining me to discuss two related topics. The teaching of musical fundamentals in our classrooms AND how we can have better and more productive conversations about social justice and the inequities in our society.

We range from concrete, in class activities to try with a choir to develop the inner ear, all the way to the core tenets of Anthony’s “Face Your Neighbor” training related to facilitating IN CLASS social justice conversations. We even discuss the annual controversy surrounding “removing sight reading from honor choir and All State auditions. You don’t want to miss this!

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Get SlidesChoralosophy CommunityNEW! Merch Store!Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok!

For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comDr. Anthony Trecek-King is a highly acclaimed choral conductor, scholar, pedagogue, and media personality with a career spanning over 20 years. He is an active guest conductor and serves as a Resident Conductor (chorus) with the Handel and Haydn Society. Recognized for his ability to create moving performances that exhibit a surprising range of dynamics and depth of expression, Dr. Trecek-King excels at cultivating vocal and instrumental musicians at all levels. Through his collaborative rehearsal style, he bridges the gap between high art and humanity, captivating audiences while maintaining exceptional sonic quality.

www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!Ensembles under his direction were integral to projects that have won a Pulitzer Prize (Madam White Snake, Zhou Long), received a Grammy (Fantastic Mr. Fox, Boston Modern Orchestra Project), and earned the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award from Presidential Committee on the Arts (Boston Children’s Chorus). Dr. Trecek-King has worked with a variety of artists and ensembles including Leslie Odom Jr., Melinda Doolittle, the San Francisco Symphony Chorus, The Houston Chamber Choir, Seraphic Fire, Keith Lockhart, John Williams, Gil Rose, Simon Halsey, Yo Yo Ma, and Roomful of Teeth.

RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!He has led performances in world-renowned venues including Boston Symphony Hall, the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., Carnegie Hall in New York City, Royal Albert Hall in London, and the Sydney Opera House. In addition to his conducting work, he is currently the host of the classical radio show “The Silent Canon” which airs on KNVO 90.7. He can also be seen on-air and online on the Emmy nominated WGBH television series Sing That Thing, and two TEDx Boston talks. He holds a B.M. in Cello Performance from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, an M.M. in Orchestral Conducting from the Florida State University, and a D.M.A. in Choral Conducting from the Boston University. He currently lives in the Boston area with his partner Melanie (of Thinking is Power) and their cat.

Receive 10% Discount on your orders at http://www.graphitepublishing.com where you will find the works of Jocelyn Hagen, Eric Barnum, Timothy C. Takach,
Paul Rudoi and MANY more. The Choralosophy Music Literacy SuiteThe Choralosophy Vocal Ped Suite* Car Thoughts * Choir Director Probs * Choralosophy Book Club * Chris Munce * Community * Covid Conversations * Educational Philosophy * Human Diversity * Instruction and Assessment * International * Lori Sonnenberg * Oxford Series * Podcasts * Politics and Current Events * Student Perspectives * Uncategorized

View Details

Over the last year, I have seen Dr. Thomas present twice on the importance of ensuring that the African American Spiritual is passed on to the next generations through our choral ensembles and music classrooms. In these presentations he also speaks eloquently about the challenges we face in doing so. We have parents, students and administrators worried about being accused of appropriation. We have directors worried about being criticized for inauthenticity, and governors pushing laws making it a minefield to teach the histories of race and racism in some states.

How do we see the challenges, and choose to move forward in the face of them? In this episode Dr. Thomas advocates for a performance practice, and linguistically informed approach to the spiritual. One in which, we the teachers, enter the classrooms armed to teach both the how and the why of the spiritual.

Find Dr. Thomas’ book “Beulah Land” here! Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Get SlidesChoralosophy CommunityNEW! Merch Store!Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok!

For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comANDRÉ J. THOMAS is a Professor Emeritus of Music at Florida State University. He was visiting Professor of Choral Conducting at Yale University from 2020-2022. He also served as a faculty member at the University of Texas, Austin. He is presently an Associate Artist with the London Symphony Orchestra.

www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!Dr. Thomas received his degrees from Friends University (B.A.), Northwestern University (M. M.), and The University of Illinois (D.M.A). He is in demand as a choral adjudicator, clinician, and director of Honor/All-State Choirs throughout North America, Europe, Asia, New Zealand, Australia, and Africa. Dr. Thomas has conducted choirs at the state, division, and national conventions of the Music Educators National Conference (NAFME) and the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA). His international conducting credits are extensive.

RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!He has led numerous prestigious orchestras and choirs around the world, including the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra in England, the Berlin Radio Choir and the North German Radio Choir in Germany, the Netherlands Radio Choir, the Bulgarian Radio Choir & Orchestra, the Seoul Metropolitan Chorus, Ansan City Choir, Jeju Provincial Seogwipo Chorale in South Korea, the Charlotte Symphony, China’s People’s Liberation Orchestra, the Czech National Symphony Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra.

Receive 10% Discount on your orders at http://www.graphitepublishing.com where you will find the works of Jocelyn Hagen, Eric Barnum, Timothy C. Takach,
Paul Rudoi and MANY more. The Choralosophy Music Literacy SuiteThe Choralosophy Vocal Ped SuiteThomas is a distinguished composer/arranger with Hinshaw Music Company, Mark Foster Music Company, Fitzsimons Music Company, Lawson Gould, Earthsongs, Choristers Guild, and Heritage Music Company.

Various musical organizations have recognized Thomas with the Living Legend Award, the Distinguished Service Award, the Robert Shaw Award, the NCCO (National Collegiate Choral Organization) Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Southern Region of ACDA Award of Excellence. In January 2019, he was inducted into the Florida Music Educator’s Hall of Fame, and in 2022 he was presented the Samuel Simons Sanford Medal, the most prestigious honor conferred by the Yale School of Music.

Car Thoughts
Choir Director Probs
Choralosophy Book Club
Chris Munce
Community
Covid Conversations
Educational Philosophy
Human Diversity
Instruction and Assessment
International
Lori Sonnenberg
Oxford Series
Podcasts
Politics and Current Events
Student Perspectives
Uncategorized

View Details

In a world characterized by constant social criticism and a perpetual desire for progress, the often-overlooked emotion of gratitude emerges as a powerful catalyst for personal and societal improvement.

While constructive criticism and a drive for change are essential elements in fostering growth, without a foundation of gratitude for what we DO have, individuals and societies may find themselves trapped in a cycle of discontent. I often see Gratitude conflated with “complacency” or resting on our laurels. I believe that this is a fundamental error in our perception of human nature. It misses the human need to reflect on past successes or W’s as the kids say, as motivation for future efforts of improvement.

This episode also features statements of Gratitude related to Choral Music collected in the Choralosophers FB page!You can read and share the rest of this episode’s essay on Choralosophy.Substack.com !!Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Get SlidesChoralosophy CommunityNEW! Merch Store!Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok!

For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comVisit stageright.com for top of the line, affordable staging options like risers, acoustical shells and more!www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!Receive 10% Discount on your orders at http://www.graphitepublishing.com where you will find the works of Jocelyn Hagen, Eric Barnum, Timothy C. Takach,
Paul Rudoi and MANY more. The Choralosophy Music Literacy SuiteThe Choralosophy Vocal Ped Suite* Car Thoughts * Choir Director Probs * Choralosophy Book Club * Chris Munce * Community * Covid Conversations * Educational Philosophy * Human Diversity * Instruction and Assessment * International * Lori Sonnenberg * Oxford Series * Podcasts * Politics and Current Events * Student Perspectives * Uncategorized

Discussion of “Critical Choral Theory.”

View Details

In this episode, In this episode I will be referencing a few resources, provided in the Patreon Google Folder. The “Science of Reading” refers to a large body of interdisciplinary evidence. The past 40 years has yielded tremendous, interdisciplinary insights into the process of learning to read, gathered from developmental psychology, cognitive neuropsychology, developmental linguistics, and educational intervention research. In Music Education, we are behind this body of research as it relates to our discipline. In this short episode, I have taken on the task of adapting MY favorite Science of Reading take away for a music literacy context. “Scarborough’s Reading Rope.”

Consider this episode, the next installment in the “Choralosophy Literacy Suite.”

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions.

Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok! Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Get SlidesChoralosophy CommunityNEW! Merch Store!

For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comDr. Jeffrey Allen Murdock is internationally known as a conductor and clinician. He currently serves as Director of Choral Activities, Founding Director of the Arkansas Center for Black Music, and Associate Professor of Music at the University of Arkansas. He is the 2016 Connor Endowed Faculty Fellow in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Science, and 2019 Most Outstanding Faculty at the University of Arkansas. He is the 2021 GRAMMY Music Educator of the Year.

Visit stageright.com for top of the line, affordable staging options like risers, acoustical shells and more!Dr. Murdock has conducted regional and state honor choirs, and headlined conferences in 26 states and 5 countries. With research interests inclusive of Culturally Responsive Pedagogy in the Choral Classroom, Music in Urban Schools, and Social Justice in Music Education, he has presented at state, regional and national conferences of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), the International Society for Music Education (ISME), and the American Choral Director’s Association, where he serves as president-elect of the Southwestern Division, past-president of Arkansas ACDA, and serves on the national diversity subcommittee. Choirs under Dr. Murdock’s direction have performed at the Arkansas All-State Conference and the Southwestern Division Conference of the American Choral Directors Association. In addition to being an accomplished conductor of western choral music, Dr. Murdock is also a skilled gospel musician and conductor. He has served on the conducting staff of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., has collaborated with numerous world-renown Gospel recording artists.

www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!Dr. Murdock holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education and a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting, both from the University of Southern Mississippi, and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in Music Education from the University of Memphis.

Receive 10% Discount on your orders at http://www.graphitepublishing.com where you will find the works of Jocelyn Hagen, Eric Barnum, Timothy C. Takach,
Paul Rudoi and MANY more. The Choralosophy Music Literacy SuiteThe Choralosophy Vocal Ped Suite* Car Thoughts * Choir Director Probs * Choralosophy Book Club * Chris Munce * Community * Covid Conversations * Educational Philosophy * Human Diversity * Instruction and Assessment * International * Lori Sonnenberg * Oxford Series * Podcasts * Politics and Current Events * Student Perspectives * Uncategorized

View Details

This week I am excited to bring you a compelling discussion with the esteemed, and often outspoken Dr. Jeffrey Allen Murdock. In this episode we mainly center on three distinct, but not unrelated topics. First, Dr. Murdock shares his passion for Culturally Relevant pedagogy in the choral context as we discuss what it this concept requires, as well as it’s common misunderstandings. We also get to hear the case for the creation of the FIRST Graduate program in Black Sacred Music. Jeff makes the performance practice argument for this area of academic study that I found incredibly convincing. The University of Arkansas’ “Center For Black Music” is now a reality that is the first of its kind.

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Finally, we discuss advice for Choir Directors when navigating the landscape of online “Music Educator Personae.” How do separate the pedagogue from the marketing? How do we know if the person we are hiring to present a session, can justify their claim of expertise? Jeff and Chris discuss this new phenomenon in our field over the last few years. Of course, I felt personally connected to this topic as a person who makes a living from choral pedagogy marketing!

Past Episode On “Defining Success” in Choral MusicBe Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok! Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Get SlidesChoralosophy CommunityNEW! Merch Store!

For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comDr. Jeffrey Allen Murdock is internationally known as a conductor and clinician. He currently serves as Director of Choral Activities, Founding Director of the Arkansas Center for Black Music, and Associate Professor of Music at the University of Arkansas. He is the 2016 Connor Endowed Faculty Fellow in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Science, and 2019 Most Outstanding Faculty at the University of Arkansas. He is the 2021 GRAMMY Music Educator of the Year.

Visit stageright.com for top of the line, affordable staging options like risers, acoustical shells and more!Dr. Murdock has conducted regional and state honor choirs, and headlined conferences in 26 states and 5 countries. With research interests inclusive of Culturally Responsive Pedagogy in the Choral Classroom, Music in Urban Schools, and Social Justice in Music Education, he has presented at state, regional and national conferences of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), the International Society for Music Education (ISME), and the American Choral Director’s Association, where he serves as president-elect of the Southwestern Division, past-president of Arkansas ACDA, and serves on the national diversity subcommittee. Choirs under Dr. Murdock’s direction have performed at the Arkansas All-State Conference and the Southwestern Division Conference of the American Choral Directors Association. In addition to being an accomplished conductor of western choral music, Dr. Murdock is also a skilled gospel musician and conductor. He has served on the conducting staff of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., has collaborated with numerous world-renown Gospel recording artists.

www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!Dr. Murdock holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education and a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting, both from the University of Southern Mississippi, and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in Music Education from the University of Memphis.

Receive 10% Discount on your orders at http://www.graphitepublishing.com where you will find the works of Jocelyn Hagen, Eric Barnum, Timothy C. Takach,
Paul Rudoi and MANY more. The Choralosophy Music Literacy SuiteThe Choralosophy Vocal Ped Suite* Car Thoughts * Choir Director Probs * Choralosophy Book Club * Chris Munce * Community * Covid Conversations * Educational Philosophy * Human Diversity * Instruction and Assessment * International * Lori Sonnenberg * Oxford Series * Podcasts * Politics and Current Events * Student Perspectives * Uncategorized

View Details

Over the years, this Podcast has been a place for many types of conversations, on a variety of topics. But, one of the recurring passions of mine has been the reimagining of the way we teach literacy. Drawing upon the literature known as the “science of reading,” I started noticing that in music education, we have been woefully behind the times. In the Choralosophy Music Literacy Suite, I have collected several resources from the show’s catalogue to attempt to address this. Since, we started I have heard from hundreds of colleagues that are revolutionizing their classroom environments. They are using the piano less, or not at all. Spending less and less time after school making practice tracks, and putting more responsibility on their students.

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. While this is exciting, the “a cappella rehearsal” concept has not been without it’s detractors. Especially from teachers of younger students. “Sure, this may work with advanced kids, but not my 6th graders.” Or, “that sounds like something that would work great in a privileged suburban high school, but not at my school.” Or, simply, “my kids aren’t ready for this. Maybe I will try it when they are more advanced.” Ultimately, all of these impulses are off the mark. Music is a language, and language acquisition is easier the younger we are! We should be starting the process of audiation and literacy as SOON as possible. We don’t have time to wait.

For this episode, I spoke to TWO middle school choir teachers who have students in grade 6-8 who are having incredible growth and success in a short time encorporating “Choralosophy” Concepts like not playing notes for kids on the piano, and small group testing, and individual literacy assessments for accountability and individual feedback. Tune in as Ian and Jacob describe passionately the ways that they have taken the ideas they have heard here, and adapted them and made them their own. We also get to hear the ways these things have revolutionized their classroom culture and behavior.

Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok! Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Get SlidesChoralosophy CommunityNEW! Merch Store!

For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

Visit stageright.com for top of the line, affordable staging options like risers, acoustical shells and more!

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comJacob Garcia is the choir director at Tennyson Middle School in Waco, Texas. He is in his 4th year of teaching and enjoys empowering his students to be independent and creative musicans. Jacob graduated with a Bachelor in Music Education from Stephen F. Austin State University and a Master in Choral Conducting from Texas Tech. While he enjoys teaching he also enjoyes learning mee ways to decolp hos craft and further his knowledge of music education.

www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!Ian Henning is the 6-12 Choir Teacher at Peak to Peak Charter School in Lafayette, Colorado. An Illinois native, Ian graduated from North Central College with a Bachelor of Arts in Voice Performance before moving to Colorado in the summer of 2020. Since then he has been teaching and performing throughout the state in a variety of roles, honing his craft as a musician and mentor. Ian is a dedicated learner who is always striving to improve in his personal and professional pursuits, and hopes one day to become a teacher capable of giving his students the music education they deserve. Ian is a member of the Colorado Chorale, the state’s premier volunteer community choir, and The Storytellers, an a cappella quartet delivering memorable and meaningful performances via musical storytelling in and around the Denver area.

RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!Receive 10% Discount on your orders at http://www.graphitepublishing.com where you will find the works of Jocelyn Hagen, Eric Barnum, Timothy C. Takach,
Paul Rudoi and MANY more. The Choralosophy Music Literacy SuiteThe Choralosophy Vocal Ped Suite* Car Thoughts * Choir Director Probs * Choralosophy Book Club * Chris Munce * Community * Covid Conversations * Educational Philosophy * Human Diversity * Instruction and Assessment * International * Lori Sonnenberg * Oxford Series * Podcasts * Politics and Current Events * Student Perspectives * Uncategorized

Resource shared by Ian Henning

View Details

This week, I have the honor of crossing the pond virtually to discuss the profound yet often overlooked concept of “vocal musicianship.” Joining me is a distinguished guest, David Hill whose passion and advocacy for choral music spans from the professional to the amateur singer. David is the conductor of London’s renowned Bach Choir. We discuss a variety of advocacy topics including the importance of the amateur and youth choir maintaining a high level of quality, as well as disparities in payment faced by singers compared to their instrumental counterparts. For this topic we dissect the recent controversy of the near loss of the BBC Singers.

David also shares his thoughts about reaching out to new audiences and expanding our concept of what “choir building” means. In this episode, we unravel the layers of talent and dedication it takes to be a professional singer. We address the stereotypes and misconceptions that often surround vocal artists, shedding light on the immense skill, discipline, and artistry that define their craft. David’s wide range of choral experiences makes him an excellent guide on this important journey as we try to bring choral music into its next era.

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok! Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Get SlidesChoralosophy CommunityNEW! Merch Store!

For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

Renowned for his fine musicianship, David Hill is widely respected as both a choral and orchestral conductor. His talent has been recognised by his appointments as Musical Director of The Bach Choir, Music Director of Leeds Philharmonic Society, Associate Guest conductor of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Principal Conductor of Yale Schola Cantorum, and International Chair in Choral Conducting at the Royal Northern College of Music. He was Chief Conductor of the BBC Singers from September 2007 to September 2017 and is a former Music Director of Southern Sinfonia.

www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!Born in Carlisle and educated at Chetham’s School of Music, of which he is now a Governor, he was made a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists at the remarkably young age of 17. Having been Organ Scholar at St John’s College, Cambridge, David Hill returned to hold the post of Director of Music from 2004-2007. His other appointments have included Master of the Music at Winchester Cathedral, Master of the Music at Westminster Cathedral and Artistic Director of the Philharmonia Chorus. He holds an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Southampton for Services to Music, and in March 2018, he was honoured with the prestigious Royal College of Organists medal, in recognition of distinguished achievement in choral conducting and organ playing.

Receive 10% Discount on your orders at http://www.graphitepublishing.com where you will find the works of Jocelyn Hagen, Eric Barnum, Timothy C. Takach,
Paul Rudoi and MANY more. David Hill has a broad-ranging discography covering repertoire from Thomas Tallis to a number of world premiere recordings. As well as achieving prestigious Grammy and Gramophone Awards, many of his discs have been recommended as Critic’s Choices, with his ongoing series of English choral music for Naxos, and discs for Hyperion with the Yale Schola Cantorum receiving particular acclaim.

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comHill has appeared with the BBC Symphony and BBC Philharmonic orchestras, London Philharmonic, London Symphony Orchestra, City of London Sinfonia, English Chamber Orchestra, Royal Northern Sinfonia, the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, the Orchestra and Chorus of Welsh National Opera, the Orchestra and Chorus of Opera North, Ulster Orchestra, Hallé Orchestra, RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra, Orchestre Philharmonique de Strasbourg, Réal Filharmonia de Galicia, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, the Minnesota Orchestra, the Omaha Symphony, and Portland Baroque Orchestras as well as the Netherlands Radio Choir, the National Youth Choir of Australia, and RIAS Chamber Choir, Berlin.

Visit stageright.com for top of the line, affordable staging options like risers, acoustical shells and more!His commitment to new music has led to him premiering works from leading composers including Judith Bingham, Carl Rütti, Francis Pott, Bob Chilcott, Gabriel Jackson, James Macmillan, Philip Moore, Naji Hakim, Sir John Tavener, Philip Wilby and Jonathan Dove. Recent highlights include the world premiere of Gabriel Jackson’s The World Imagined with the Philharmonia at Three Choirs Festival.

RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!In January 2019 David Hill was awarded an MBE for services to music.

The Choralosophy Music Literacy SuiteThe Choralosophy Vocal Ped Suite* Car Thoughts * Choir Director Probs * Choralosophy Book Club * Chris Munce * Community * Covid Conversations * Educational Philosophy * Human Diversity * Instruction and Assessment * International * Lori Sonnenberg * Oxford Series * Podcasts * Politics and Current Events * Student Perspectives * Uncategorized

View Details

This week, I connect with yet another instrumental music educator! Don’t worry, I will be fine… It was a great pleasure to speak with Dr. Angela Ammerman about many music education topics including some “controversial truths” that I found on her Instagram account, “The Music Teachers Guide.” We discussed the idea that the best music teacher doesn’t necessarily need to be the best musician. Often times, we should be trying to facilitate our students’ skill surpassing our own. We also discussed the contradiction in arts education communities that on hand presents itself as liberal and supporting of freedom of expression, while on the other displaying a culture of conformity and intolerance toward diverse ideas and viewpoints. Angela shares her experience as tenure track professor who left Academia to be a “stay at home mom,” as well as a clinician, consultant and host of the #MusicEdLove Podcast. Tune in and as always, chime in with your thoughts on Facebook, Patreon or Substack.

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok! Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Get SlidesChoralosophy CommunityNEW! Merch Store!

For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comRecognized by Fairfax County Public Schools as a Top Teacher in 2017 and the Virginia House of Delegates in 2016 for her dedication to instilling a life-long passion for music in all of her students, Angela Ammerman diligently works to now pass along these teaching and mentorship qualities to her own Music Education students. In 2016, Dr. Ammerman was named the Virginia Orchestra Director of the Year, a finalist for the Fairfax County Public Schools’ Teacher of the Year and Washington Post Teacher of the Year. Dr. Ammerman recently completed a chapter for the book: Rehearsing the Middle School Orchestra edited bySandy Goldieand is hard at work on a workbook for breaking language barriers in the music classroom.

The Choralosophy Music Literacy SuiteAmmerman is a passionate and dedicated music education professor and music educator, and is published in the String Research Journal, the American String Teachers Journal and Teaching Music. Dr. Ammerman is in high demand as a guest conductor, speaker, and clinician for sessions and workshops at local, state, national, and international conferences and in-services. Currently living in Virginia with her husband and newborn son, Dr. Ammerman works at George Mason University where she supervises student teachers, teaches Lab Orchestra and Aural Skills. Ammerman is known for an emphasis on play-based learning, humor, a unique style, and for the creation of the first ever Future Music Educators Camp as well as her Music Education Podcast: #MusicEdLove.

The Choralosophy Vocal Ped Suite* Car Thoughts * Choir Director Probs * Choralosophy Book Club * Chris Munce * Community * Covid Conversations * Educational Philosophy * Human Diversity * Instruction and Assessment * International * Lori Sonnenberg * Oxford Series * Podcasts * Politics and Current Events * Student Perspectives * Uncategorized

View Details

Well, now I have! And so can you. In this conversation, I welcome Kelsey Burkett to discuss the magical, mystical world in which she teaches choir. I was floored to hear about the way her district structures their choral program! We also discuss personal identity, and our thoughts about the ways we can move our inclusion conversations in education forward to a place of greater empathy, understanding and progress. We also discussed the ways in which racial bias can manifest in school systems and much more. Kelsey is very open about her own “identity crisis” as a biracial woman and how that identity has evolved over time. I believe it is this very identity journey that equips Kelsey to approach this issue with compassion for others. Tune in for this conversation with a colleague I think we should all get to know.

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok! Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Get SlidesChoralosophy CommunityNEW! Merch Store!

For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.com* Car Thoughts * Choir Director Probs * Choralosophy Book Club * Chris Munce * Community * Covid Conversations * Educational Philosophy * Human Diversity * Instruction and Assessment * International * Lori Sonnenberg * Oxford Series * Podcasts * Politics and Current Events * Student Perspectives * Uncategorized

View Details

I am excited to bring back the “Student Perspectives” category on the Podcast this week with the Glacier High School Concert Choir. Beth and I traveled from KC almost to literal Canada to Kalispell, MT to visit Nathan Connell and his Concert Choir for their Fall Retreat.

How can teachers make their space safe for singing? What do our groups mean to kids? Is it possible that we don’t always truly know the impact we have, and the impact our groups have on students? I believe that at times, kids will wait to be invited to say how they really feel. So, I invited them.

For close to 24 hours solid, I worked on group rehearsal techniques and literacy concepts, while Beth gave small group vocal instruction. We also spent time interpreting music, group building and of course, philosophizing about Choral Music. This small portion was recorded to give you a sense of the way young people can process these types of important questions. If you would like to have Choralosophy come to your classroom contact me via this form.

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok! Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Get SlidesChoralosophy CommunityNEW! Merch Store!

For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

Learn more about Nathan and the Wolfpack Choir here. Glacier High School Choirs in Kalispell, Montana, is made up of 5 curricular choirs and 2 extracurricular choirs, including 150 students in 9th-12th grades. Nathan Connell is in his 5th year of serving as the director at GHS. Nathan double majored in percussion performance and vocal education at Morehead State University in Morehead, Kentucky. Nathan serves as the HS Repertoire and Resource chair for the NW ACDA region. He loves connecting kids with current composers and hosts an annual composer festival bringing Montana students together to work with composers like Jake Runestad, Ryan Main, Ethan Sperry, and more. As a percussionist, Nathan performs regularly in the Glacier Symphony percussion section, and has performed and taught with the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps from Denver, Colorado.

www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!Receive 10% Discount on your orders at http://www.graphitepublishing.com where you will find the works of Jocelyn Hagen, Eric Barnum, Timothy C. Takach,
Paul Rudoi and MANY more. RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!Visit stageright.com for top of the line, affordable staging options like risers, acoustical shells and more!Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.com* Car Thoughts * Choir Director Probs * Choralosophy Book Club * Chris Munce * Community * Covid Conversations * Educational Philosophy * Human Diversity * Instruction and Assessment * International * Lori Sonnenberg * Oxford Series * Podcasts * Politics and Current Events * Student Perspectives * Uncategorized

The Choralosophy Music Literacy Suite

Car Thoughts
Choir Director Probs
Choralosophy Book Club
Chris Munce
Community
Covid Conversations
Educational Philosophy
Human Diversity
Instruction and Assessment
International
Lori Sonnenberg
Oxford Series
Podcasts
Politics and Current Events
Student Perspectives
Uncategorized

The Choralosophy Vocal Ped Suite

View Details

Often times, the most confident and assertive person you will ever meet is an 8 or 9 year old girl. Then, somewhere along the way society teaches her that “like a girl” is not a compliment. For a discussion about this in the world of composition, I am joined this week by prolific composer, publisher and performer Jocelyn Hagen. Our conversation centers around the concepts of feminism in choral music as well as in society at large. We spend a good amount of energy discussing the move from the second wave choral feminists who paved a lot ground for the women of today, as well as the need to build on what they achieved to move to an even better place. To move beyond equal access, and move toward authentic collaboration. We discussed “pretty privilege” as well as the ways women can reclaim the power of the “like a girl” expression.

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok! Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Get SlidesChoralosophy CommunityNEW! Merch Store!

For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!Receive 10% Discount on your orders at http://www.graphitepublishing.com where you will find the works of Jocelyn Hagen, Eric Barnum, Timothy C. Takach,
Paul Rudoi and MANY more. RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!Visit stageright.com for top of the line, affordable staging options like risers, acoustical shells and more!Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.com* Car Thoughts * Choir Director Probs * Choralosophy Book Club * Chris Munce * Community * Covid Conversations * Educational Philosophy * Human Diversity * Instruction and Assessment * International * Lori Sonnenberg * Oxford Series * Podcasts * Politics and Current Events * Student Perspectives * Uncategorized

View Details

Often times, the most confident and assertive person you will ever meet is an 8 or 9 year old girl. Then, somewhere along the way society teaches her that “like a girl” is not a compliment. For a discussion about this in the world of composition, I am joined this week by prolific composer, publisher and performer Jocelyn Hagen. Our conversation centers around the concepts of feminism in choral music as well as in society at large. We spend a good amount of energy discussing the move from the second wave choral feminists who paved a lot ground for the women of today, as well as the need to build on what they achieved to move to an even better place. To move beyond equal access, and move toward authentic collaboration. We discussed “pretty privilege” as well as the ways women can reclaim the power of the “like a girl” expression.

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok! Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Get SlidesChoralosophy CommunityNEW! Merch Store!

For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!Receive 10% Discount on your orders at http://www.graphitepublishing.com where you will find the works of Jocelyn Hagen, Eric Barnum, Timothy C. Takach,
Paul Rudoi and MANY more. RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!Visit stageright.com for top of the line, affordable staging options like risers, acoustical shells and more!Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.com* Car Thoughts * Choir Director Probs * Choralosophy Book Club * Chris Munce * Community * Covid Conversations * Educational Philosophy * Human Diversity * Instruction and Assessment * International * Lori Sonnenberg * Oxford Series * Podcasts * Politics and Current Events * Student Perspectives * Uncategorized

View Details

Easily the most frequent request I get from the audience is for more teaching examples, rehearsal videos, samples, demonstrations etc. I have decided to stop dragging my feet about this and start creating more of this type of content. Due to the type of media it requires, I will be posting most of this on TikTok and Instagram. But in this episode, I have gathered some audio from some recent rehearsals of Lee’s Summit High School’s “Sounds of Summit” that I think might be a good representation of the rehearsal procedures that I have advocated over the last few years. You will hear my high school chamber choir rehearsing David Childs’ “Where Your Barefoot Walks” as well as “My Spirit is Uncaged” by Paul Rardin. Enjoy, and let me know if you have questions or curiosities about the process! Special thanks to our Staff Accompanist RuthAnn Wagoner for being ready to rock on this tough music! Also, please pardon all of my under the breath noises into the mic that I am horrified that you will hear.

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok!

For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Get SlidesChoralosophy CommunityNEW! Merch Store!YouTube Version!

www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!Receive 10% Discount on your orders at http://www.graphitepublishing.com where you will find the works of Jocelyn Hagen, Eric Barnum, Timothy C. Takach,
Paul Rudoi and MANY more. RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!Visit stageright.com for top of the line, affordable staging options like risers, acoustical shells and more!Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.com* Car Thoughts * Choir Director Probs * Choralosophy Book Club * Chris Munce * Community * Covid Conversations * Educational Philosophy * Human Diversity * Instruction and Assessment * International * Lori Sonnenberg * Oxford Series * Podcasts * Politics and Current Events * Student Perspectives * Uncategorized

View Details

In this episode I draw on a few sources, including audience comments to present an advocacy conversation. To make the case for Choral Music classrooms, infrastructure support, and educational priorities. You will see or hear a video I made all the way back in 2012 in response to the popular TV show “Glee,” as well as a video I made in late summer 2020 arguing that my choral classroom was an essential service to my students. You also hear portions of a livestream I did recently in the Choralosophers FB page as well as some audience thoughts about the question, “What IS Choral Music?”

From “So, You’re a Choir Teacher?” “I may teach the broadest curriculum of any academic subject in school. We study languages, diction, history, music theory, cultural interactions and on and on…You can get a PhD in Choral Music. You can’t get a PhD in football.”

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. We also spend a bit of time keeping you up to speed on excited things happening on Choralosophy! Tune in, and as always, let us know what you think!

Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Get SlidesFREE NewsletterThe excerpted videos from the episode can be found below.www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!Receive 10% Discount on your orders at http://www.graphitepublishing.com where you will find the works of Jocelyn Hagen, Eric Barnum, Timothy C. Takach,
Paul Rudoi and MANY more. RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!Visit stageright.com for top of the line, affordable staging options like risers, acoustical shells and more!Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.com* Blogs * Car Thoughts * Choir Director Probs * Choralosophy Book Club * Covid Conversations * Educational Philosophy * Human Diversity * Instruction and Assessment * International * Lori Sonnenberg * Oxford Series * Podcasts * Politics and Current Events * Student Perspectives * Uncategorized

View Details

Stephen Cox has the honor of being the FIRST band director and educator to appear on the show! His perspective on music education brings some different insights to the big picture so to speak. This created a very productive conversation about the pros and cons of our traditional models of music delivery in schools. From … Continue reading "Episode 164: Is “Music Education for All” Realistic? with Stephen Cox"

View Details

This week, I am PUMPED to be joined by renowned Psychologist, researcher, author and host of the Psychology Podcast, Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman. We in the Performing Arts education sphere are in a unique position to have an impact on the whole person in a way that is not accessible to our other teacher colleagues. … Continue reading "Fixed Audio: Catching the Wind in Our Sails with Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman"

View Details

This week, I am PUMPED to be joined by renowned Psychologist, researcher, author and host of the Psychology Podcast, Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman. We in the Performing Arts education sphere are in a unique position to have an impact on the whole person in a way that is not accessible to our other teacher colleagues. … Continue reading "Episode 163: Catching the Wind in Our Sails with Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman"

View Details

This episode was a product of a submission on the main page here at Choralosophy.com. The prompt really grabbed me. Guest Joshua Mazur suggested that we need to have a grown up discussion about the way we in Music Education think about and use the word “talent.” I agree. From Joshua: “Our society approaches talent … Continue reading "Episode 162: The Problem with “Talent” with Joshua Mazur"

View Details

Recently, David Simmons Wood made a splash by writing an article for Early Music America called “Toward a Rebirth of Renaissance Choral Repertoire.” In the article, David drew attention to what I see as a troubling gap in our collective repertoire and programming trends. Namely, the near disappearance of Polyphony from our performances, classrooms and … Continue reading "Episode 161: Where Has All the Polyphony Gone? with David Simmons Wood"

View Details

I am excited to welcome Kenneth Bozeman to the podcast this week to blow your minds! Ken is a voice teacher, author and prominent lecturer presenting all over the world to help teachers of singing understand the importance of the marriage between voice science and the emotive capabilities of the human voice. I have frequently … Continue reading "Episode 160: Practical Vocal Acoustics with Kenneth Bozeman"

View Details

Could it be that the new era of “the choral entrepreneur” is what we need to save Choral Music? After the pandemic, we have seen a resurgence of enthusiasm for Choral Music amongst the already initiated. But, program enrollments are down, concert attendance is down, positions have been cut, and conference attendance has not recovered. … Continue reading "Episode 159: The Entrepreneurial Future of Choral Music with Ryan Main"

View Details

Composer Melissa Dunphy believes that artistic expression is inherently connected to the socio-political landscape of the world. Artists often create work that reflects their personal beliefs, experiences, and values. Even when an artist does not intend for their work to be explicitly political, it is influenced by the social and cultural contexts in which it … Continue reading "Episode 158: Is All Art is Political? With Melissa Dunphy"

View Details

Last week, instead of a typical adult getaway for our anniversary, Beth and I attended the National Conference of Braver Angels. From the Mission Statement: Americans on opposite sides of the political spectrum don’t only disagree on issues — they increasingly dislike one another. This growing partisan animosity is the crisis of our time and … Continue reading "Episode 157: Civic Renewal Through Ensemble with Chris and Beth Munce"

View Details

Last week, instead of a typical adult getaway for our anniversary, Beth and I attended the National Conference of Braver Angels. From the Mission Statement: Americans on opposite sides of the political spectrum don’t only disagree on issues — they increasingly dislike one another. This growing partisan animosity is the crisis of our time and … Continue reading "Episode 157: Civic Renewal Through Ensemble with Chris and Beth Munce"

View Details

This week’s episode is a fast paced conversation between myself and members of the “Choralosophers” Facebook page. Choralosophers is one of the most drama free choir director’s groups on the internet, and the desire of the members there to have interesting, and thoughtful conversations about our profession and art form is refreshing and such a … Continue reading "Episode 156: Choralosophers Livestream on Burnout, Literacy Instruction and the Moral Injury of Educators"

View Details

In this week’s episode I welcome John Hughes to discuss the things we wish we had known when we were starting out as teachers and conductors. We discuss the cynicism that develops over the years in many of us, as well as the loss of “awe” when hearing choral music and how to get it … Continue reading "Episode 155: What I Wish I Knew As A Young Conductor with John C. Hughes"

View Details

One of the “elephant’s in the room” within education discussions related to merit, opportunity and access is the wide range and disparity of challenges that teachers face in creating quality programs within their schools. Mark Bailey believes that music, but most importantly the PEOPLE IN music, changes the lives of those around them. And crucially, … Continue reading "Episode 154: Turning Title 1 Challenges into Success with Mark Bailey"

View Details

In May of 2023, American Choral Directors dedicated an issue of their “Choral Journal” to Gender Inequity in Choral Music. The Research Report in this issue was penned by Dr. Melissa Baughman from the University of Oklahoma. In the article, she summarizes the current state of research on the topic of Women in Conducting careers. … Continue reading "Episode 153: Going Deeper on Gender Equity in Music Ed with Dr. Melissa Baughman"

View Details

In this special Oxford Series episode, I catch Dr. Zanaida Robles for a conversation about her philosophy as a composer, as well as the way all of her musical and personal identities mingle to create a context for her music making. We discuss the compositional process, including the philosophy she holds related to the “end … Continue reading "Episode 152: Prioritizing Context and Connection with Zanaida Robles"

View Details

What does it mean to be an Omni-American? An Omni-Citizen, or an Omni-Musician? How can Jazz be taught as a metaphor for American culture and democracy? In what ways do our modern conversations about diversity and inclusion badly need to include some Albert Murray in the mix? Greg Thomas joins me this week to discuss this as well as the gaps in our understanding of Jazz as a musical tradition, as well as an intellectual salon of American philosophy and culture. We discuss Greg’s work with the Jazz Leadership Project and the utility of Jazz as a metaphor to help us understand conflict, productivity, racism, culture and so much more.

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Albert Murray, an American writer and cultural critic, coined the term “Omni-American” to describe a distinctive American identity that encompasses and celebrates the diverse cultural influences that have shaped the United States. According to Murray, being an Omni-American means recognizing and embracing the intermingling of various ethnic, racial, and cultural backgrounds that have contributed to American society.

Murray argued that the United States is not a melting pot where different cultures blend into a homogeneous whole, but rather a rich tapestry of interconnected and overlapping traditions. He believed that the strength and vitality of American culture come from its ability to absorb and incorporate diverse cultural expressions, creating a dynamic and ever-evolving national identity.

Being an Omni-Musician would mean having a deep understanding and respect for the cultural contexts and historical roots of different musical styles. It would involve studying, collaborating, and learning from musicians representing diverse traditions and backgrounds. By doing so, an Omni-Musician would create a unique and dynamic musical voice that combines and synthesizes various influences.

Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Get SlidesGreg is CEO of the Jazz Leadership Project, a private company that uses jazz music as a model to enhance leadership success and team excellence. Along with his wife and partner Jewel, the Jazz Leadership Project works with notable firms such as JPMorgan Chase, Verizon, TD Bank, and Google. The leadership blog TuneIntoLeadership.com features their writings.

Find episodes on YouTube!The best sight singing tool on the market. A must have for any band/choir or orchestra teacher and their students. In class and at home tools to build their literacy at their own pace. Enter “choralosophy” at checkout to get 10% off every time you renew at http://www.sightreadingfactory.comGreg has been a professional journalist for over 25 years. As an educator, Greg recently taught a course, “Cultural Intelligence: Transcending Race, Embracing Cosmos,” and co-facilitated a six-month class in 2022, titled “Stepping Up: Wrestling with America’s Past, Reimagining Its Future, Healing Together.”

As a Co-Director of the Omni-American Future Project, Greg co-facilitated a two-day broadcast and awards ceremony, “Combating Racism and Antisemitism Together: Shaping an Omni-American Future” in October 2021, and the second annual event in November 2022, “Straight Ahead: An Omni-American Future, Fighting Bigotry Together.” In Sept. 2022, he co-led a one-day conference, “Resolving the Race-ism Dilemma.” He also serves on the advisory boards of The Consilience Project, and FAIR, the Foundation Against Intolerance and Racism. (Omni-Americans by Albert Murray.)

tuneintoleadership.com

@gregthomas22

@Omni_American_

Visit stageright.com for top of the line, affordable staging options like risers, acoustical shells and more!Enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% Discount. Own your own site license with each PDF purchased. Print as many as you need!Receive 10% Discount on your orders at http://www.graphitepublishing.com where you will find the works of Jocelyn Hagen, Eric Barnum, Timothy C. Takach,
Paul Rudoi and MANY more. Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.com* Blogs * Car Thoughts * Choir Director Probs * Choralosophy Book Club * Covid Conversations * Educational Philosophy * Human Diversity * Instruction and Assessment * International * Lori Sonnenberg * Oxford Series * Podcasts * Politics and Current Events * Student Perspectives * Uncategorized

View Details

Now that the pandemic is officially over, I thought it would be a good time to release this audio I captured back in April of 2021. About 30 of us brave Choralosophers gathered in Atlanta back when NO ONE was doing in person conventions to have a mini choral summit. One of those sessions was led by Emmy Burch and myself about the things that spark us to create, and the fears that hold us back from creating them. At the time this conversation occurred, we were all afraid of what was to come. I find this to be a fascinating time capsule to a time a little over two years ago, in which many of us had nothing else to do other than dream.

You will hear thoughts about the gaps we have between our abundance of choral instructors, and the much needed “choral entrepreneur,” that I think is so crucial to the future of our profession. We will also hear from session attendees about their ideas and fears. Tune in!

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Get Slideswww.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comEnter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% Discount. Own your own site license with each PDF purchased. Print as many as you need!Get the POWERFUL tool for your classroom with the Choralosophy Discount!Pandemic Coverage on Choralosophy

View Details

This week, I FINALLY respond to the many requests I got to share my thoughts on the movie “Tár,” starring Cate Blanchett. So, consider this my review of the movie. I talk about the tension in the film between the stereotypes of the “conductor” as a male, power abusing, egomaniac alongside the movie’s portrayal of this character as a woman and as a Lesbian. In addition to an analysis of Marin Alsop’s take on the movie, I discuss the value of these types of inversions in social commentary as well as the interesting dynamic created by a highly competent musician and thinker interacting in the world as kind of a crappy human being. And yes, of course I also break down the “White, male, cis composers just aren’t my thing” scene as well. So tune in and let me know what you think as well!

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Get SlidesThe best sight singing tool on the market. A must have for any band/choir or orchestra teacher and their students. In class and at home tools to build their literacy at their own pace. Enter “choralosophy” at checkout to get 10% off every time you renew at http://www.sightreadingfactory.comMarin Alsop interviewEnter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comReceive 10% Discount on your orders at http://www.graphitepublishing.com where you will find the works of Jocelyn Hagen, Eric Barnum, Timothy C. Takach,
Paul Rudoi and MANY more. Visit stageright.com for top of the line, affordable staging options like risers, acoustical shells and more!Enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% Discount. Own your own site license with each PDF purchased. Print as many as you need!* Blogs * Car Thoughts * Choir Director Probs * Choralosophy Book Club * Covid Conversations * Educational Philosophy * Human Diversity * Instruction and Assessment * International * Lori Sonnenberg * Oxford Series * Podcasts * Politics and Current Events * Student Perspectives * Uncategorized

View Details

In this episode, we are honored to have Dr. Matt Zakreski, a clinical psychologist, joining us to discuss neurodiversity, autism, and gifted children in our classrooms. Dr. Zakreski brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our conversation, and we will be delving into various considerations for such kids in education, and in Fine Arts education in particular.

One of the topics we will be exploring is the importance of the arts in helping neurodivergent kids express themselves. As singers and educators, we know firsthand the transformative power of music, and Dr. Zakreski will be sharing his insights on how the arts can provide a safe and nurturing environment for neurodivergent kids to explore their creativity and connect with others.

So, whether you are a music educator, a parent of a neurodivergent child, or simply interested in learning more about the intersection of psychology and the arts, this episode is not to be missed. Let’s dive in!

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Get SlidesEnter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comVisit stageright.com for top of the line, affordable staging options like risers, acoustical shells and more!Enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% Discount. Own your own site license with each PDF purchased. Print as many as you need!Matthew “Dr. Matt” Zakreski, PsyD is a high energy, creative clinical psychologist who utilizes an eclectic approach to meet the specific needs of his neurodivergent clients. He is proud to serve the Gifted community as a consultant, a professor, an author, and a researcher. He has spoken over 200 times all over the world about supporting neurodivergent kids. Dr. Zakreski is a member of Supporting the Emotional Needs of the Gifted (SENG), the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC), the New Jersey Association for Gifted Children (NJAGC), and Pennsylvania Association for Gifted Education (PAGE). Dr. Zakreski graduated from Widener University’s Institute for Graduate Clinical Psychology (IGCP) in 2016. He is the co-founder of The Neurodiversity Collective.

The best sight singing tool on the market. A must have for any band/choir or orchestra teacher and their students. In class and at home tools to build their literacy at their own pace. Enter “choralosophy” at checkout to get 10% off every time you renew at http://www.sightreadingfactory.comReceive 10% Discount on your orders at http://www.graphitepublishing.com where you will find the works of Jocelyn Hagen, Eric Barnum, Timothy C. Takach,
Paul Rudoi and MANY more. Find Dr. Matt on Facebook* Blogs * Car Thoughts * Choir Director Probs * Choralosophy Book Club * Covid Conversations * Educational Philosophy * Human Diversity * Instruction and Assessment * International * Lori Sonnenberg * Oxford Series * Podcasts * Politics and Current Events * Student Perspectives * Uncategorized

View Details

In this unique episode of Choralosophy, we are taking it into the future that is now with a very special guest. It’s ChatGPT, a cutting-edge artificial intelligence language model that has been trained to understand and communicate with humans. ChatGPT is here to share its insights on topics relevant to choir directors, including innovative ways to use AI to automate music teacher tasks, as well as answer questions about music theory and educational philosophy.

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. As teachers and music directors, we are constantly looking for new ways to improve our teaching methods and streamline our workflows. With the advancements in artificial intelligence, we now have access to powerful tools that can help us achieve these goals. ChatGPT is at the forefront of this technology and is ready to share its knowledge and expertise with us.

Whether you are excited about new technology, or the type that is typically pretty skeptical, ChatGPT and programs like will be an unavoidable part of the information landscape. So tune in for this primer.

Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Get SlidesSing in KC June 21-25Visit stageright.com for top of the line, affordable staging options like risers, acoustical shells and more!Enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% Discount. Own your own site license with each PDF purchased. Print as many as you need!Will Shakespeare’s Perfect Choir90’s Will Smith’s Perfect ChoirEnter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comThe best sight singing tool on the market. A must have for any band/choir or orchestra teacher and their students. In class and at home tools to build their literacy at their own pace. Enter “choralosophy” at checkout to get 10% off every time you renew at http://www.sightreadingfactory.comReceive 10% Discount on your orders at http://www.graphitepublishing.com where you will find the works of Jocelyn Hagen, Eric Barnum, Timothy C. Takach,
Paul Rudoi and MANY more.

View Details

In today’s episode, we have a special guest, Jennaya Robison, who is an accomplished conductor, vocalist, and music educator.

In this episode, we delve into the topic of vibrato in choral singing. Dr. Robison would like to advocate for a world where female voices in particular are freer to vibrate in choral singing. Jennaya recently presented with a panel at National ACDA on a session called “Let Vibrate!” in which she and her colleagues urged us to rethink our aesthetic preferences related to vibrato. I asked Jennaya to join me because, as always, I only MOSTLY agreed.

Throughout the discussion, we explore the technical aspects of choral singing and the role of vibrato in creating a particular sound. We also discuss the importance of individual voice training, the concept of blend and a clash between philosophies that either honor the aesthetics of the past, or discard them due to the injustices of the era.

This episode was recorded in person in our home studio, providing a more intimate and personal conversation about the nuances of choral music. Don’t miss Jennaya Robison on the Choralosophy podcast!

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Get SlidesSing in KC June 21-25Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comDr. Robison is one of the leading choral directors in North America, and is consistently in demand as a clinician both nationally and internationally. She has presented at ACDA and NATS conferences and is a national leader of choral artistry, pedagogy, and innovation. She has held previous positions at Luther College, the University of Arizona, and the University of New Mexico, and has an active performance career as a soprano soloist and chorister.

Dr. Robison is in demand as a conductor, clinician, and soprano throughout the United States. She has conducted orchestras at the University of Arizona, Luther College, and as well as community orchestras in Tucson and Phoenix, Arizona. As a public-school educator, she has taught in Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.

Visit stageright.com for top of the line, affordable staging options like risers, acoustical shells and more!Enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% Discount. Own your own site license with each PDF purchased. Print as many as you need!As a soprano, she has sung as a soloist with the Grammy award-winning True Concord, Tucson Symphony, Arizona Opera, Scottsdale Arts Orchestra, Scottsdale Symphony, St. Andrews Bach Society, Phoenix Youth Symphony, Tucson Masterworks Chorale, Rochester Choral Arts, and Chamber Orchestra of Albuquerque.

The best sight singing tool on the market. A must have for any band/choir or orchestra teacher and their students. In class and at home tools to build their literacy at their own pace. Enter “choralosophy” at checkout to get 10% off every time you renew at http://www.sightreadingfactory.comHer primary area of research is in the field of vocal health within the choral ensemble. She has been an invited conductor and clinician at numerous festivals including All State Choirs in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota, Wisconsin Middle Level Honors Choirs, Texas Collegiate Women’s Honor Choir, Montreat Music Conference Festival Choir and various regional and state honor choirs in Texas, Nevada, Arizona, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.

She holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting from the University of Arizona, Master of Music in conducting and voice from the University of New Mexico, and Bachelor of Arts in music from Luther College. She is the coordinator of Collegiate Repertoire and Standards and director of Student Activities for the North Central chapter of the American Choral Directors Association. Her choral series is published with Pavane Music.

Blogs
Car Thoughts
Choir Director Probs
Choralosophy Book Club
Covid Conversations
Educational Philosophy
Human Diversity
Instruction and Assessment
International
Lori Sonnenberg
Oxford Series
Podcasts
Politics and Current Events
Student Perspectives
Uncategorized

Receive 10% Discount on your orders at http://www.graphitepublishing.com where you will find the works of Jocelyn Hagen, Eric Barnum, Timothy C. Takach,
Paul Rudoi and MANY more. Episode ResourcesChristopher Lowrey Article

View Details

This week, I am excited to have Melanie Trecek-King as our guest. Melanie is a science educator who specializes in teaching science to non-science majors. In addition to her expertise in the field of science, Melanie is passionate about helping individuals improve their thought processes and metacognition. She is making major waves online with her highly recommended websites ThinkingIsPower.com and the Mental Immunity Project.

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Today’s episode will explore the value of improving one’s own thought processes and metacognition. We will dive deep into the concepts of metacognition, critical thinking, and the power of self-reflection. Melanie will share her insights and experiences as an educator, and provide practical advice and strategies that can be applied to any discipline or profession.

Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Get SlidesSing in KC June 21-25Whether you’re a musician, teacher, student, or simply someone who wants to improve their cognitive abilities, this episode is for you. So, sit back, relax, and get ready to explore the fascinating world of metacognition with our guest, Melanie Trecek-King.

Get the POWERFUL tool for your classroom with the Choralosophy Discount!Melanie Trecek-King is the creator of Thinking Is Power, an online resource that provides critical thinking education to the general public. She is currently an Associate Professor of Biology at Massasoit Community College, where she teaches a general-education science course designed to equip students with empowering critical thinking, information literacy, and science literacy skills. An active speaker and consultant, Trecek-King loves to share her “teach skills, not facts” approach with other science educators, and help schools and organizations meet their goals through better thinking. Trecek-King is also the Education Director for the Mental Immunity Project and CIRCE (Cognitive Immunology Research Collaborative), which aim to advance and apply the science of mental immunity to inoculate minds against misinformation.

The best sight singing tool on the market. A must have for any band/choir or orchestra teacher and their students. In class and at home tools to build their literacy at their own pace. Enter “choralosophy” at checkout to get 10% off every time you renew at http://www.sightreadingfactory.comTweets by ThinkingPowersVisit stageright.com for top of the line, affordable staging options like risers, acoustical shells and more!Enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% Discount. Own your own site license with each PDF purchased. Print as many as you need!Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.com* Blogs * Car Thoughts * Choir Director Probs * Choralosophy Book Club * Covid Conversations * Educational Philosophy * Human Diversity * Instruction and Assessment * International * Lori Sonnenberg * Oxford Series * Podcasts * Politics and Current Events * Student Perspectives * Uncategorized

View Details

In this episode, I am thrilled to be joined by guest Jasmine Fripp, a music educator and advocate for cultural sensitivity and anti-racism in music education. Many of us FIRST met Jasmine when she posted a viral letter on Facebook.

We will be discussing the importance of cultural sensitivity within music education, and why it’s crucial for music educators to be aware of the diverse cultural backgrounds of their students AND their colleagues. Jasmine will be sharing her personal experiences and insights on the topic, and will be providing specific examples of how music educators can create a culturally responsive classroom environment.

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. As music educators, it’s important for us to recognize that music is not a one-size-fits-all experience. Every student brings their own unique cultural background to the classroom, and it’s our job as educators to create an environment that is inclusive and welcoming for all students. So sit back, relax, and join us for this insightful and thought-provoking conversation on “Choralosophy.”

Human Diversity, PodcastsClinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Get SlidesSing in KC June 21-25Visit stageright.com for top of the line, affordable staging options like risers, acoustical shells and more!Enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% Discount. Own your own site license with each PDF purchased. Print as many as you need!The best sight singing tool on the market. A must have for any band/choir or orchestra teacher and their students. In class and at home tools to build their literacy at their own pace. Enter “choralosophy” at checkout to get 10% off every time you renew at http://www.sightreadingfactory.comReceive 10% Discount on your orders at http://www.graphitepublishing.com where you will find the works of Jocelyn Hagen, Eric Barnum, Timothy C. Takach,
Paul Rudoi and MANY more. * Blogs * Car Thoughts * Choir Director Probs * Choralosophy Book Club * Covid Conversations * Educational Philosophy * Human Diversity * Instruction and Assessment * International * Lori Sonnenberg * Oxford Series * Podcasts * Politics and Current Events * Student Perspectives * Uncategorized

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comJasmine Fripp is a Grammy-nominated music educator and the founder of The Passionate Black Educator, an educational platform that grew out of her passion for empowering educators and providing Black and Brown students with a quality holistic education through music. With seven years of teaching experience in public and charter schools, she has built award-winning choral programs and provided Black and Brown students with various opportunities to excel within and outside the world of music.

As The Passionate Black Educator, Jasmine encourages and empowers music educators of all cultural backgrounds to create student-centered classroom environments that promote anti-racism, culturally responsive pedagogy, and healing-centered teaching. Jasmine’s ability to fuse hip-hop, choral music, student-centered dialogue, and creative teaching strategies have led to her being heavily sought after as a clinician by universities, school districts, and professional organizations Worldwide. Jasmine holds a Bachelor of Music Education with a concentration in Choral Music from Winthrop University and is currently pursuing her master’s degree at Belmont University.

View Details

I was recently exploring the recent rise in the use of the word “trauma” to describe the events of our lives. From small inconveniences to major life events, it seems that we are quick to label them as traumatic experiences. However, is this overuse of the term causing us to overlook the true meaning of trauma and its impact on mental health?

In this podcast, we also delve into the concept of anti-fragility, introduced by Nassim Taleb in his book “Antifragile: Things That Gain from Disorder.” This concept suggests that instead of striving for resilience, we should aim for anti-fragility, where we can thrive and benefit from chaos and uncertainty. How can this concept be applied to education, and how can it help students become more resilient and prepared for the challenges of the future? To do this, I have clipped out a fascinating conversation I had years ago with Eric Barnum about this topic.

Join us as we discuss these thought-provoking topics, and their related performing arts off shoots like performance anxiety and the pursuit of best practices. Resources mentioned:

Myths of Trauma by Joel Paris, 5 Myths of Trauma

Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Get SlidesSing in KC June 21-25Get the POWERFUL tool for your classroom with the Choralosophy Discount!Find the Original Episode with Eric here:Enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% Discount. Own your own site license with each PDF purchased. Print as many as you need!Receive 10% Discount on your orders at http://www.graphitepublishing.com where you will find the works of Jocelyn Hagen, Eric Barnum, Timothy C. Takach,
Paul Rudoi and MANY more. The best sight singing tool on the market. A must have for any band/choir or orchestra teacher and their students. In class and at home tools to build their literacy at their own pace. Enter “choralosophy” at checkout to get 10% off every time you renew at http://www.sightreadingfactory.comVisit stageright.com for top of the line, affordable staging options like risers, acoustical shells and more!Enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% Discount. Own your own site license with each PDF purchased. Print as many as you need!

Antifragile: Things That Gain from Disorder (Incerto)

View Details

This episode is a pastiche of sorts from several sources. We will start with the introduction from my “Togetherness Activism” live presentation from Colorado in January. In that segment I tell the story of what I have learned about discourse and discussion from starting a show in which I put forward opinions in public for the last four years. Some of those experiences have been gratifying, frustrating, fun and stressful. But in all situations, I have learned SO MUCH, and have actually changed my opinion about many things. One of the things I have learned is how oversimple our understanding of each other can be do to online interactions. During this presentation, I launched a survey to the audience there in person which helped us explore the ways in which we may be diverse BEYOND what is visible. Over the next few weeks, I plugged the survey in choir director groups and got a nice sample of responses. I will discuss those responses here as well. This is a fun and varied discussion that I hope stimulates more discussion!

In some ways, I am thinking of this episode as an important “Where We Are Now” discussion for the beginning of year 5 of Choralosophy Podcasts. So, tune in chew on some ideas!

Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Get SlidesSing in KC June 21-25Get the POWERFUL tool for your classroom with the Choralosophy Discount!Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comVisit stageright.com for top of the line, affordable staging options like risers, acoustical shells and more!Enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% Discount. Own your own site license with each PDF purchased. Print as many as you need!Receive 10% Discount on your orders at http://www.graphitepublishing.com where you will find the works of Jocelyn Hagen, Eric Barnum, Timothy C. Takach,
Paul Rudoi and MANY more. * Blogs * Car Thoughts * Choir Director Probs * Choralosophy Book Club * Covid Conversations * Educational Philosophy * Human Diversity * Instruction and Assessment * International * Lori Sonnenberg * Oxford Series * Podcasts * Politics and Current Events * Student Perspectives * Uncategorized

View Details

In this episode, I have renowned composer and publisher Dan Forrest on the show to talk about the current state of the publishing industry. In addition to his own story about how he got involved in the publishing and composition world, as well as his thoughts about the history of music publishing, the changes due to recent technology and self publishing etc. We even get into our thoughts about ways the system can still be improved including ways to rethink the formula to ensure that composers are fairly compensated, as well as thoughts about whether or not copyright law also needs to change to keep up with the technology. Tune in for this important discussion!

Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Get SlidesSing in KC June 21-25Dan Forrest (b. 1978) has been described as having “an undoubted gift for writing beautiful music….that is truly magical” (NY Concert Review), with works hailed as “magnificent, very cleverly constructed sound sculpture” (Classical Voice), and “superb writing…full of spine-tingling moments” (Salt Lake Tribune). His music has sold millions of copies, has received numerous awards and distinctions, and has become well established in the repertoire of choirs around the world via festivals, recordings, radio/TV broadcasts, and premieres in prominent international venues.

The best sight singing tool on the market. A must have for any band/choir or orchestra teacher and their students. In class and at home tools to build their literacy at their own pace. Enter “choralosophy” at checkout to get 10% off every time you renew at http://www.sightreadingfactory.comDan’s work ranges from small choral works to instrumental solo works, wind ensemble works, and extended multi-movement works for chorus and orchestra. His Requiem for the Living (2013) and Jubilate Deo (2016) have become standard choral/orchestral repertoire for ensembles around the world, and his more recent major works LUX: The Dawn From On High (2018) and the breath of life (2020) have also received critical acclaim.

Get the POWERFUL tool for your classroom with the Choralosophy Discount!Dan holds a doctorate in composition and a master’s degree in piano performance, and served for several years as a professor and department head (music theory and composition) in higher education. He currently serves as Editor at Beckenhorst Press, Chair of the American Choral Director’s Association Composition Initiatives Committee, and Artist-In-Residence at Mitchell Road Presbyterian Church (Greenville, SC). Details about Dan and his work can be found at www.danforrest.com.

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comEnter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% Discount. Own your own site license with each PDF purchased. Print as many as you need!Receive 10% Discount on your orders at http://www.graphitepublishing.com where you will find the works of Jocelyn Hagen, Eric Barnum, Timothy C. Takach,
Paul Rudoi and MANY more. * Blogs * Car Thoughts * Choir Director Probs * Choralosophy Book Club * Covid Conversations * Educational Philosophy * Human Diversity * Instruction and Assessment * International * Lori Sonnenberg * Oxford Series * Podcasts * Politics and Current Events * Student Perspectives * Uncategorized

View Details

Did you know that boys have fallen behind girls in almost every measurable academic category? Boys are 3-6 times more likely to have an ADHD diagnosis, 3-5 times more likely to be expelled, 2-3 times more likely to die from suicide, and are reporting higher levels of loneliness on average. There are a lot of reasons to be concerned. This episode is for everyone. A relevant discussion for all educators as well as parents, and just people interested in how masculinity and our perceptions of it shape our world. The obvious elephant in the room here is also that there is a small, but vocal school of thought that the category of boy, girl, woman or man, due to their elements that are socially constructed, leading some to not see this issue as critical or existential.

As choir directors, we famously struggle to get boys to keep singing, or even to start singing. Dr. Brendan Kwiatkowski, a researcher specializing in adolescent boys’ relationship to their emotions joins me this week to discuss his findings and the broader science about a crucial educational issue. age 13-15 was the most difficult for boys in feeling “pressured” to appear masculine. Do you see any parallels to WHEN we typically lose the most boys in choir? I do…

Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Get SlidesSing in KC June 21-25Brendan successfully defended his Ph.D. in Education at the University of Edinburgh at the end of 2022. His research spans multiple disciplines (psychology, sociology, and education) and investigated Canadian teenage boys’ emotions, masculinities, and schooling experiences.

Get the POWERFUL tool for your classroom with the Choralosophy Discount!He is a mixed-methods researcher and believes very strongly in positive-focused and person-centred research that humanizes and empowers participants, as well as gives “voice” to their lived experiences. He is focused on making academic knowledge accessible for all and on conducting research that is transformative and practically useful for helping people in the real-world.

Before his Ph.D. Brendan was a secondary school teacher near Vancouver, BC for 5 years where he taught psychology, history, biology, and social justice. He received his MA in 2016 in Special Education where he created and co-led a yearlong social-emotional intervention for boys with behavioural needs. He loves teaching and has taught Gender and Education courses at the university level.

Visit stageright.com for top of the line, affordable staging options like risers, acoustical shells and more!Enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% Discount. Own your own site license with each PDF purchased. Print as many as you need!Receive 10% Discount on your orders at http://www.graphitepublishing.com where you will find the works of Jocelyn Hagen, Eric Barnum, Timothy C. Takach,
Paul Rudoi and MANY more. Brendan loves nature, breathwork, cold plunges, quality conversations, and music. He is also a husband and is a father to his three young children

The best sight singing tool on the market. A must have for any band/choir or orchestra teacher and their students. In class and at home tools to build their literacy at their own pace. Enter “choralosophy” at checkout to get 10% off every time you renew at http://www.sightreadingfactory.com* Blogs * Car Thoughts * Choir Director Probs * Choralosophy Book Club * Covid Conversations * Educational Philosophy * Human Diversity * Instruction and Assessment * International * Lori Sonnenberg * Oxford Series * Podcasts * Politics and Current Events * Student Perspectives * Uncategorized

View Details

The beautiful challenge is that in vocal music ensemble instruction, every instrument is unique. So unique in fact that an instruction that helps one student sound better can make another sound worse. In the instrumental classroom there are MANY technical instructions that can be delivered in a way that applies to EVERY trombone or every drum in the
room. They may even be the same manufacturer! We don’t realistically have time in a choral rehearsal to give customized vocal instruction like a voice teacher can in a one on one setting. In this live presentation, turned podcast, Beth and I discuss and provide suggestions for balancing the need for a solid foundation in vocal pedagogy presented by choral directors to their students with the reality that their isn’t enough time in choir rehearsal to give fully individualized instruction. How can we focus on the universal aspects of singing, and speak in the most efficient and clear ways about the voice?

As always, when you see the LIVE logo, video is recommended. Patreon members are able to access all of my live presentation slides and resources.

Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Get SlidesSing in KC June 21-25Visit stageright.com for top of the line, affordable staging options like risers, acoustical shells and more!Enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% Discount. Own your own site license with each PDF purchased. Print as many as you need!Receive 10% Discount on your orders at http://www.graphitepublishing.com where you will find the works of Jocelyn Hagen, Eric Barnum, Timothy C. Takach,
Paul Rudoi and MANY more. Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comThe best sight singing tool on the market. A must have for any band/choir or orchestra teacher and their students. In class and at home tools to build their literacy at their own pace. Enter “choralosophy” at checkout to get 10% off every time you renew at http://www.sightreadingfactory.com* Blogs * Car Thoughts * Choir Director Probs * Choralosophy Book Club * Covid Conversations * Educational Philosophy * Human Diversity * Instruction and Assessment * International * Lori Sonnenberg * Oxford Series * Podcasts * Politics and Current Events * Student Perspectives * Uncategorized

View Details

Last week, I attended the first national gathering of the American Choral Directors since 2019. I had some incredible experiences, saw incredible choirs, heard wonderful and challenging thoughts presented in PD sessions. In this episode, I will recap my highlights, as well as presenting the highlights of some conference attendees that I interviewed during my takeover of the KI Concerts booth. And of course, as you would expect on the Choralosophy Podcast, I will philosophize a bit about the ideas that heard as well as the MANY conversations that I heard from “people on the street” during the convention. I asked them questions about their convention highlights as well as going back into their rehearsals inspired during a time when “burnout” is high.

You will also hear me reflect on the roll this show serves in the landscape of choral thought development and practices based on these conversations in person with listeners. It was a fantastic convention, and I am excited to share thoughts with you from many colleagues that you won’t hear anywhere else. Special thanks to Connor Doran, Maria Ellis, Johnny Edwards, Raymund Ocampo, Chris Brush, Alan Denney and Jeff Moshur for being brave and sitting down in the hot seat!

Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Get SlidesSing in KC June 21-25Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comVisit stageright.com for top of the line, affordable staging options like risers, acoustical shells and more!Enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% Discount. Own your own site license with each PDF purchased. Print as many as you need!Receive 10% Discount on your orders at http://www.graphitepublishing.com where you will find the works of Jocelyn Hagen, Eric Barnum, Timothy C. Takach,
Paul Rudoi and MANY more. https://www.instagram.com/choralosophy/

Blogs
Car Thoughts
Choir Director Probs
Choralosophy Book Club
Covid Conversations
Educational Philosophy
Human Diversity
Instruction and Assessment
International
Lori Sonnenberg
Oxford Series
Podcasts
Politics and Current Events
Student Perspectives
Uncategorized

View Details

In this episode, I am excited to once again, go OUTSIDE of the music education sphere to seek some important and relevant expertise. I invited neuroscientist Dr. Alan Harvey on to give a different perspective on how music and language interact with human evolution. He is well known for a wonderful TED Talk on music and the brain, well as for writing a fascinating book on the evolution of music in the species. (Linked below.) I was fascinated listening to Dr. Harvey lay out the reasons humans may have developed music as a necessary evolutionary adaptation, from a common precursor of our spoken language as well as a way to stimulate the production of oxytocin and much more. “We needed another communication system whose primary role was to bring us together in groups. To drive altruism, cooperation, social interaction, and cooperation. That is why music and dance evolved in parallel with spoken language.”

Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Get SlidesSing in KC June 21-25Born in London, UK. BA and MA from the University of Cambridge, PhD in visual neurophysiology from the Australian National University, Canberra. After time in the USA and at Flinders University in Adelaide, Alan Harvey came to UWA in 1984. He was promoted to Professor in 2001 and in 2016 became an Emeritus Professor. He was for a number of years a member of the WA Reproductive Technology Council, a Board member of the Neurological Council of WA, and a Board Member of the Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science. He was Chair of the Perron Scientific Advisory Committee. He has also been a Board Member of the The University Club of Western Australia, and the Perth Symphonic Chorus.

Get the POWERFUL tool for your classroom with the Choralosophy Discount!Enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% Discount. Own your own site license with each PDF purchased. Print as many as you need!Receive 10% Discount on your orders at http://www.graphitepublishing.com where you will find the works of Jocelyn Hagen, Eric Barnum, Timothy C. Takach,
Paul Rudoi and MANY more. Receive 10% Discount on your orders at http://www.graphitepublishing.com where you will find the works of Jocelyn Hagen, Eric Barnum, Timothy C. Takach,
Paul Rudoi and MANY more. Research interestsContinued studies on the use of gene therapy, transplantation and other bioengineering technologies in CNS repair, with increasing focus on spinal cord. Harvey has ongoing collaborations with Dr Stuart Hodgetts, Dr Jenny Rodger, Dr Dave Nisbett, Dr Vince Wallace, and Dr A Akari.

Publication by Oxford University Press in 2017 of his book: “Music, Evolution and the Harmony of Souls”, combines Harvey’s neuroscience and music interests. Increasingly working with colleagues on neuroscience/music related topics.

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comVisit stageright.com for top of the line, affordable staging options like risers, acoustical shells and more!Enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% Discount. Own your own site license with each PDF purchased. Print as many as you need!Receive 10% Discount on your orders at http://www.graphitepublishing.com where you will find the works of Jocelyn Hagen, Eric Barnum, Timothy C. Takach,
Paul Rudoi and MANY more. * Blogs * Car Thoughts * Choir Director Probs * Choralosophy Book Club * Covid Conversations * Educational Philosophy * Human Diversity * Instruction and Assessment * International * Lori Sonnenberg * Oxford Series * Podcasts * Politics and Current Events * Student Perspectives * Uncategorized

Visit Oxford’s Expansive Choral Catalogue!

View Details

This presentation is the second part, or “why” sequel to Episode 135. In that episode, I lay out processes and procedures to build independent literacy skills in a beginning choir. In this presentation, I expanded into the moral and scientific case for centering literacy in our curricula, as well as support for my contention that there are neurologically correct and incorrect ways to teach the reading of ANY language.

Music is a language, just like any other in a really important sense. “Music reading is a
complex process involving at least two distinct skills: the reading skill and the mechanical skill (Wolf 1976). From a cognitive perspective, music reading requires several simultaneous processes including coding of visual information, motor responses and visual-motor integration.” -Gudmunsdottir, 2010

Fluent Music Literacy is VERY rare in education in the Western World. I believe this has two main causes. Many vocal and general music teachers don’t believe that it is a crucial part of the curriculum. Many who DO see it as crucial are not empowered with the best possible systems, processes and skills. Video Recommended! The slides are available on Patreon.

Clinician/Presenter RequestsSupport the Show/Get SlidesSing in KC June 21-25Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comVisit stageright.com for top of the line, affordable staging options like risers, acoustical shells and more!Enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% Discount. Own your own site license with each PDF purchased. Print as many as you need!Receive 10% Discount on your orders at http://www.graphitepublishing.com where you will find the works of Jocelyn Hagen, Eric Barnum, Timothy C. Takach,
Paul Rudoi and MANY more. * Blogs * Car Thoughts * Choir Director Probs * Choralosophy Book Club * Covid Conversations * Educational Philosophy * Human Diversity * Instruction and Assessment * International * Lori Sonnenberg * Oxford Series * Podcasts * Politics and Current Events * Student Perspectives * Uncategorized

Get the POWERFUL tool for your classroom with the Choralosophy Discount!

View Details

This week, welcome BACK to the show Dr. Marques Garrett, who last appeared in episode 17, “Beyond Elijah Rock,” where many of us were introduced to the concept of “non-idiomatic” music of Black composers. In this episode, part of the “Oxford Series,” Marques returns to celebrate his latest contribution to the growing canon of music by Black composers from around the world. Just last week, Oxford Press published his Anthology, “The Oxford Book of Choral Music by Black Composers.” Tune in to hear us pick up where that conversation left off by discussing the importance of a term like “non-idiomatic” in teaching people that Black musicians cannot be accurate boxed in to genres like spirituals, jazz and gospel.

Visit Oxford’s Expansive Choral Catalogue!In addition to discussing the genesis of this project and its contents, we also have a candid conversation LIVE in my home studio about the state of progress in incorporating music of non-white composers into the expanded canon, the danger of possible overcorrection that comes from our continued struggle with terminology that conflates concepts of race with culture, language and nationality, and the growing and profound legacy in choral music of HBCU alumni and much more. Don’t miss it. Video recommended!

Visit stageright.com for top of the line, affordable staging options like risers, acoustical shells and more!A Virginia native, Marques L. A. Garrett is an Assistant Professor of Music in Choral Activities at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the Glenn Korff School of Music. His responsibilities include conducting the auditioned Chamber Singers and non-auditioned University Chorale (soprano-alto) as well as teaching graduate choral literature. Before earning his PhD in Music Education (Choral Conducting) at Florida State University, he was the Director of Choral Activities at Cheyney University of Pennsylvania. Additionally, he holds an MM from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and a BA from Hampton University.

An active conductor, Dr. Garrett is the artistic director of the Omaha Symphonic Chorus and founding conductor of the Nebraska Festival Singers. He serves as a guest conductor or clinician with school, church, community, and festival/honor choirs throughout the country. In addition to his conducting classes at UNL, he leads conducting workshops at other universities and conferences. His formal conducting studies were with Dr. André J. Thomas, Dr. Carole J. Ott, Dr. Carl G. Harris, Jr., and Mr. Royzell Dillard.

www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!A versatile voice that performs both as a baritone and countertenor, Dr. Garrett has sung with several community, church, and university groups as both a chorister and soloist. He was the baritone soloist for the Germantown Concert Chorus’s performance of Haydn’s Missa in Angustiis. His premiere as a countertenor in Dan Forrest’s Jubilate Deo served as the work’s European premiere in Limerick, Ireland. Additionally, he performed the role of Lil Lud in Bernstein’s White House Cantata with the Tallahassee Community Chorus. Currently, he sings with First-Plymouth Congregational Church, Festival Singers of Florida, and the Jason Max Ferdinand Singers.

Take the Survey!Dr. Garrett is an avid composer of choral and solo-vocal music whose compositions have been performed to acclaim by high school all-state, collegiate, and professional choirs including Seraphic Fire and the Oakwood University Aeolians. His music is available through more than ten publishers. He has been commissioned by organizations such as Harvard University and Westminster Choir College. Among his latest commissions is his largest work to date, Dreamland: Tulsa 1921. This collaborative work with librettist Sandra Seaton for tenor-bass chorus, soloists, and chamber orchestra was commissioned by the Turtle Creek Chorale to tell the story of the Greenwood district of Tulsa, Oklahoma.

As a researcher, his most advantageous topic is the non-idiomatic choral music of Black composers. His lectures at state and regional conferences of the American Choral Directors Association and at other local and national venues afford him the opportunity to showcase this underrepresented area of music. He serves as co-editor of the “Out from the Shadows” Series with Gentry Publications.

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comDr. Garrett holds membership in the American Choral Directors Association; American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers; National Association of Negro Musicians; National Collegiate Choral Organization; and Pi Kappa Lambda. For more information, visit http://www.mlagmusic.com.

Blogs
Car Thoughts
Choir Director Probs
Choralosophy Book Club
Covid Conversations
Educational Philosophy
Human Diversity
Instruction and Assessment
International
Lori Sonnenberg
Oxford Series
Podcasts
Politics and Current Events
Student Perspectives
Uncategorized

View Details

Last week I had the incredible honor to headline at CMEA in Colorado Springs. I was able to introduce the A Cappella rehearsal (no piano played while singing, and without hearing the piece first.) This is the first part of my concept that I proposed for my rejected National ACDA session. So I did it here, and want to share it with you all! I had a blast giving this presentation and met an audience brimming with questions. You will see the beginning of the 9th grade year to the end, and then a fast forward to the first day of school in an advanced choir. I will take you through the concepts, the step by step process and what to watch for when implementing this type of literacy system. I hope you find it helpful, or at least thought provoking. As always, you may need to tweak these ideas to make them work for you! Don’t forget to head over to Choralosophers FB page to discuss!

Clinician/Presenter RequestsAmazon IdeasSupport the Show/Get SlidesThe FIRST OF TWO parts! YouTube version highly recommended!

Visit stageright.com for top of the line, affordable staging options like risers, acoustical shells and more!Receive 10% Discount on your orders at http://www.graphitepublishing.com where you will find the works of Jocelyn Hagen, Eric Barnum, Timothy C. Takach,
Paul Rudoi and MANY more. YouTube Recommended!Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comwww.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!Enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% Discount. Own your own site license with each PDF purchased. Print as many as you need!* Blogs * Car Thoughts * Choir Director Probs * Choralosophy Book Club * Covid Conversations * Educational Philosophy * Human Diversity * Instruction and Assessment * International * Lori Sonnenberg * Oxford Series * Podcasts * Politics and Current Events * Student Perspectives * Uncategorized

View Details

This week, I welcome the “Father of Contemporary A Cappella,” Deke Sharon onto the show. We discuss the origins of the modern “A Cappella” genre as well as the “family tree” of other types of A Cappella vocal music genres and their crucial connections with each other. We also get to hear the story of how the actors in Pitch Perfect learned to sing from scratch in a month! We covered the importance of commercial viability in our art forms as well as the incredible power of group music making to heal political divides, and encourage cooperation. Deke is a compelling story teller, so I KNOW you will want to listen to the end!

Clinician/Presenter RequestsAmazon IdeasSupport the Show/Get Slides
Born and still living in San Francisco, California, Deke Sharon has been performing professionally since the age of 8. As a child he toured North America and shared the stage performing in operas with the likes of Pavarotti. Heralded as “The Father of Contemporary A Cappella” this performer, arranger, music producer, author, producer and coach is credited by many as being responsible for the current sound of modern a cappella. While at college, he pioneered the dense vocal-instrumental sound that we today take for granted as the sound of contemporary a cappella.

Deke founded the Contemporary A Cappella Society while in college, and is responsible for creating many seminal a cappella programs, including the CARAs (Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards), the ICCAs (International Championship of College A Cappella), the BOCAs (Best of College A Cappella Compilations), the first contemporary a cappella conference (the A Cappella Summit), the Contemporary A Cappella League, several professional ensembles including DCappella, as well as the educational residential program Camp A Cappella. He’s a frequent emcee at events, and gives corporate speeches on business lessons from vocal harmony to companies like Google and Facebook.

www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!He is also contemporary a cappella’s most prolific arranger, having arranged over 2,000 songs, with over a thousand of them in print worldwide. He has written 6 books: “A Cappella Arranging” (2012), “A Cappella” (2015), “The Heart of Vocal Harmony” (2016), “A Cappella Warmups for Pop and Jazz Choir” (2017), “So You Want To Sing A Cappella” (2017) and “Teaching Music Through Performance In Contemporary A Cappella” (2020).

As the founder, director and arranger for the House Jacks for almost 25 years, the original “Rock Band Without Instruments,” Deke shared the stage around the world with countless music legends, including Ray Charles, James Brown, Crosby Stills and Nash, Run DMC, The Temptations, LL Cool J and the Four Tops, and even a performance of the “Monday Night Football Theme” with Hank Williams Jr. in 2011. He is also the vocal orchestrator for and a producer of the Broadway’s first a cappella musical: In Transit (2016), as well as the opening number of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Unmasked (2019).

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comDeke has produced dozens of award winning a cappella albums (including Straight No Chaser, Committed, Nota, Street Corner Symphony and the Tufts Beelzebubs), created a cappella groups for Disneyland and Disneyworld, and frequently tours the world teaching a variety of topics to students and professional singers. His voice can be heard in commercials and video games, including “Just Dance Kids 2.” He is one of only 20 honorary members of the Barbershop Harmony Society since 1938, as well as an honorary member of BYU Vocal Point, and has received CASA’s lifetime achievement award in 2016 and the PT Barnum Award for Excellence from Tufts University in 2017.

Deke has also helped popularize a cappella in the mainstream. He vocally produced five seasons of The Sing Off for NBC in the US as well as international versions in the Netherlands, South Africa and China, and served as music director for Disney+ Best in Snow. He was arranger, on-site music director and vocal producer for all three of Universal’s hit films in the Pitch Perfect franchise. He was featured on camera in Lifetime Television’s Pitch Slapped, coaching the group Stay Tuned and on BBC1’s Pitch Battle as music director and guest judge. 2022 saw him working on two television shows: “Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin” (Peacock) and “Best in Snow” (Disney+).

Enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% Discount. Own your own site license with each PDF purchased. Print as many as you need!Receive 10% Discount on your orders at http://www.graphitepublishing.com where you will find the works of Jocelyn Hagen, Eric Barnum, Timothy C. Takach,
Paul Rudoi and MANY more. * Blogs * Car Thoughts * Choir Director Probs * Choralosophy Book Club * Covid Conversations * Educational Philosophy * Human Diversity * Instruction and Assessment * International * Lori Sonnenberg * Oxford Series * Podcasts * Politics and Current Events * Student Perspectives * Uncategorized

View Details

In this special car thoughts I will not only DESCRIBE how I use sectionals in rehearsal, I will show you! (Video recommended) I am a big believer in student ownership, and there are few better ways to accomplish this than building a culture of student led sectional work at all levels of choir. EVEN young singers can learn to work independently! Join me as a drive while describing the progression from a beginner’s first introduction to sectionals all the way to the point where they don’t need me anymore.

Clinician/Presenter RequestsAmazon IdeasSupport the Show/Get SlidesEnter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comwww.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!Enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% Discount. Own your own site license with each PDF purchased. Print as many as you need!Visit stageright.com for top of the line, affordable staging options like risers, acoustical shells and more!* Blogs * Car Thoughts * Choir Director Probs * Choralosophy Book Club * Covid Conversations * Educational Philosophy * Human Diversity * Instruction and Assessment * International * Lori Sonnenberg * Oxford Series * Podcasts * Politics and Current Events * Student Perspectives * Uncategorized

View Details

Is student teaching a “class?” or a “job?” Does this practice need a revamp in the face of the current teacher shortage? In this episode, I invited Tina Beveridge on to hash out a disagreement. A few months ago, I created a TikTok expressing my opinion that student teachers don’t “deserve” a paycheck. Mostly based on the idea that student teaching is a class, and a crucial final course in the training of teachers. Turning it into a job could potentially create a perverse incentive structure for entering the profession. Dr. Beveridge disagrees and responded with this blog by saying, “First, the internship is not a “class.” Yes, it’s credits they have to register and pay for, and in that respect it’s a “class” but it’s not a class in the respect that we expect them to go in knowing nothing. In fact, we expect them to go in and actually be able to do the full job.”

In keeping with the spirit and ethos of this show, I invited Tina on to discuss because a conversation is MUCH more productive than social media posts. The resulting conversation is proof of that. When the episode is done, please weigh in your thoughts in the comments!

Catch up on the conversation on TikTokClinician/Presenter RequestsAmazon IdeasSupport the Show/Get SlidesDr. Beveridge is an Assistant Professor of Music Education at George Mason University. Before entering higher education, Dr. Beveridge spent 17 years teaching music in K-12 public schools and community colleges, and her research on policy, equity and access in music education has been published in Update: Applications of Research in Music Education as well as Arts Education Policy Review.

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comwww.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!Receive 10% Discount on your orders at http://www.graphitepublishing.com where you will find the works of Jocelyn Hagen, Eric Barnum, Timothy C. Takach,
Paul Rudoi and MANY more. Enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% Discount. Own your own site license with each PDF purchased. Print as many as you need!Resources Cited in the EpisodeVisit stageright.com for top of the line, affordable staging options like risers, acoustical shells and more!* Michigan Future Teacher Fund —you will also see they have proposed legislation to pay mentor teachers (through block grants to districts) to host student teachers, and that there are requirements for how interns can use the money (1 semester tuition at a state university in Michigan is about $7000, the stipend can be up to $9600). * Choralosophy Episode with Maria Ellis * The Elpus and Abril 2019 study —this is free to view for anyone who is a NAfME member (you have to log in to NAfME and then click on the link, the full article should pop up. The statistic I referenced (African American students being less likely to enroll in music as achievement goes up) is “Predictive Margins of Race” just above the discussion section. * Dr. Beveridge wants to issue a correction: In Virginia, student teachers need 300 TOTAL hours. 150 need to be independent teaching. * Blogs * Car Thoughts * Choir Director Probs * Choralosophy Book Club * Covid Conversations * Educational Philosophy * Human Diversity * Instruction and Assessment * International * Lori Sonnenberg * Oxford Series * Podcasts * Politics and Current Events * Student Perspectives * Uncategorized

View Details

Is it possible that the over-politicization of classroom education could be contributing in some way to the epidemic of mental health problems amongst teens and young adults? Clinical Psychologist, and child of Egyptian immigrants, Christine Sefein thinks we should not ignore this possibility. The modern vogue for activism that kids are learning focuses on the “systemic,” and actually valorizes victimhood. We are framing things for them within a problematic oppressor vs. oppressed framework. To a young person, when confronted with ideas that present a “really big, really bad” world, these problems can seem so big that they are powerless to confront them. This perpetual victim/hero complex could be leading to nihilism and hopelessness in a generation of students. Christine and I share a candid conversation about the basic principals of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy that are being ignored or even contradicted in education. We discuss building gratitude cultures, the value of anxiety, and understanding the importance of “exposure therapy” when facing even the horror of performance anxiety!

Clinician/Presenter RequestsAmazon IdeasSupport the Show/Get SlidesChristine Sefein, LMFT(Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist), specialises in grief and trauma work and has held positions such as Clinical Director of OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center and Clinical Supervisor of the Interpersonal Violence programs at California Lutheran University. She has worked most extensively with grieving adults and children in a variety of communities and settings including dual-diagnoses residential facilities, intensive outpatient treatment, homeless shelters and in private practice. Christine was a full time Teaching Faculty in the Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology program at Antioch University Los Angeles until 2021. She currently works as a diversity training consultant, public speaker, parental rights advocate in K-12 education.

Contact info: csefein@christinesefeinmft.com

www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!Enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% Discount. Own your own site license with each PDF purchased. Print as many as you need!Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comVisit stageright.com for top of the line, affordable staging options like risers, acoustical shells and more!Receive 10% Discount on your orders at http://www.graphitepublishing.com where you will find the works of Jocelyn Hagen, Eric Barnum, Timothy C. Takach,
Paul Rudoi and MANY more. * Blogs * Car Thoughts * Choir Director Probs * Choralosophy Book Club * Covid Conversations * Educational Philosophy * Human Diversity * Instruction and Assessment * International * Lori Sonnenberg * Oxford Series * Podcasts * Politics and Current Events * Student Perspectives * Uncategorized

View Details

2022 was an exciting year on this show! The first solid year of weekly episodes, a wide range of topics. (Only ONE Covid episode, thank God.) We saw lots of growth in the audience, exciting LIVE recordings, and so much more. In this episode, I have curated some of my favorite moments from YOUR 10 favorite episodes:

Each episode is linked below so that you can find each in their fullness. * Episode 90: Sound Before Sight With Carol Krueger * Episode 28: The Strange Relationship Between Choral Music Ed and Vocal Ped * Episode 112: Arts of Personhood and Shining Eyes LIVE at Alabama ACDA * Episode 121: When the Magic Happens with Chanticleer * Episode 88: Music is Inherently Raceless with Theron Jenkins * Episode 95: Your PD is not Evidence Based with Kristina Mitchell * Episode 130/131: LIVE Conversations with ACDA Executive Robyn Hilger * Episode 93: Togetherness Activists with Micah Hendler * Episode 96: “Real Mean” Sing? with Braeden Ayres * Episode 104: Don’t Abandon the Canon with Anika Prather

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comwww.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!Receive 10% Discount on your orders at http://www.graphitepublishing.com where you will find the works of Jocelyn Hagen, Eric Barnum, Timothy C. Takach,
Paul Rudoi and MANY more. Visit stageright.com for top of the line, affordable staging options like risers, acoustical shells and more!Enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% Discount. Own your own site license with each PDF purchased. Print as many as you need!

View Details

In part two of my conversation with ACDA Executive Director Robyn Hilger, we pick up right where we left off last week in Episode 130. I begin by asking Robyn about the ACDA national conventions session line up. We discuss what is there, and what is missing. We move from there into a deep discussion of ACDA’s Diversity Initiatives and how we would measure success or progress. At what point does the intersectionality of our diverse membership simply become “unique individuals” with unique wants and needs? How does a large membership organization respond to this challenge? For example, a recent region conference had all male conductors on the slate. What no one knows is whether or not we had a diverse pool to choose from. This matters because you have to understand the problems in order to solve them.

We discuss this, and the idea that I call “Trickle Down Social Justice.” Are we focused on composers on the program or who conducts at conventions? Or are we focused on the lack of equity in music training of fourth graders? Could this be bias toward what is visible?

Clinician/Presenter RequestsAmazon IdeasSupport the ShowReceive 10% Discount on your orders at http://www.graphitepublishing.com where you will find the works of Jocelyn Hagen, Eric Barnum, Timothy C. Takach,
Paul Rudoi and MANY more. The best sight singing tool on the market. A must have for any band/choir or orchestra teacher and their students. In class and at home tools to build their literacy at their own pace. Enter “choralosophy” at checkout to get 10% off every time you renew at http://www.sightreadingfactory.comVisit stageright.com for top of the line, affordable staging options like risers, acoustical shells and more!Robyn Hilger is beginning her second year as executive director of the American Choral Directors Association. A native Oklahoman, Hilger is a classically trained clarinetist. She graduated with high honors in 1999 from Oklahoma City University with a bachelor’s degree in instrumental music education. She earned her master’s degree in school administration from the University of Central Oklahoma and is currently pursuing her doctorate of education in administration and leadership at Southern Nazarene University. She is a National Board-Certified Teacher in early adolescence/young adult music with specialization in band.

The overarching theme of her work is meeting the identified needs of historically marginalized and under-resourced communities. Robyn began her career as the band and strings teacher at Belle Isle Enterprise Middle School, in Oklahoma’s largest urban school district, where she created the fine arts department. In 2006, she was recognized as Oklahoma’s State Teacher of the Year and she served as Oklahoma’s Ambassador of Teaching, traveling more than 20,000 miles delivering some 200 workshops and speeches focused on teaching, advocacy, and education policy.

In 2007, she joined the staff of the Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools as the chief programs officer. In 2013, she supported the launch of El Sistema Oklahoma as a volunteer. In 2014, she was asked to join the organization as the executive director. El Sistema Oklahoma facilitates the development of empowered youth who use music to make strong positive change in their lives, their communities, and the world. El Sistema Oklahoma operates every day after-school and is completely free for participating families.

View Proposed Bylaw Changes HereEnter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.com

In 2017, she was named New Fundraiser of the Year by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Oklahoma City Chapter. Robyn also serves on the advisory board for the Oklahoma Youth Orchestras and is a board member for Oklahoma Youth Sing! (formerly known as the Norman Children’s Chorus).

Enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% Discount. Own your own site license with each PDF purchased. Print as many as you need!Robyn is a connector of people, organizations, and opportunities. She lives in Oklahoma City with her husband Stephen and their three cats.

To get in touch with Robyn, you can add her on Facebook (@robynhilger or @robynhilgeracda) or email her at executivedirector@acda.org.

Blogs
Car Thoughts
Choir Director Probs
Choralosophy Book Club
Covid Conversations
Educational Philosophy
Human Diversity
Instruction and Assessment
International
Lori Sonnenberg
Oxford Series
Podcasts
Politics and Current Events
Student Perspectives
Uncategorized

View Details

The American Choral Directors Association is the largest organization of choral musicians in the world. ACDA sets the tone and direction of choral music in the US and has a major impact on the global choral music community as well. The newly appointed Executive Director of the organization, Robyn Hilger seeks to usher in a new era for the organization, hopefully leading to a bright future for Choral Music. It is my belief that the needs of the community of choral musicians have changed since ACDA’s founding. I also believe that ACDA has a bully pulpit in communicating about and advocating for the direction of the profession. This makes their decisions intimately woven into the lives and livelihoods of their members. In this episode AND the next one, you will hear me discuss the past present and future of choral music in America and how ACDA will help to shape it. I drove all the way from KC to OKC to record in person, which I think was very helpful.

In the first part of this two part interview, we discuss the “purpose” or “reason for being of ACDA,” how changes are made, how conventions are planned, and the importance of member engagement and feedback and much more.

Clinician/Presenter RequestsAmazon IdeasSupport the ShowThe best sight singing tool on the market. A must have for any band/choir or orchestra teacher and their students. In class and at home tools to build their literacy at their own pace. Enter “choralosophy” at checkout to get 10% off every time you renew at http://www.sightreadingfactory.comRobyn Hilger is beginning her second year as executive director of the American Choral Directors Association. A native Oklahoman, Hilger is a classically trained clarinetist. She graduated with high honors in 1999 from Oklahoma City University with a bachelor’s degree in instrumental music education. She earned her master’s degree in school administration from the University of Central Oklahoma and is currently pursuing her doctorate of education in administration and leadership at Southern Nazarene University. She is a National Board-Certified Teacher in early adolescence/young adult music with specialization in band.

The overarching theme of her work is meeting the identified needs of historically marginalized and under-resourced communities. Robyn began her career as the band and strings teacher at Belle Isle Enterprise Middle School, in Oklahoma’s largest urban school district, where she created the fine arts department. In 2006, she was recognized as Oklahoma’s State Teacher of the Year and she served as Oklahoma’s Ambassador of Teaching, traveling more than 20,000 miles delivering some 200 workshops and speeches focused on teaching, advocacy, and education policy.

In 2007, she joined the staff of the Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools as the chief programs officer. In 2013, she supported the launch of El Sistema Oklahoma as a volunteer. In 2014, she was asked to join the organization as the executive director. El Sistema Oklahoma facilitates the development of empowered youth who use music to make strong positive change in their lives, their communities, and the world. El Sistema Oklahoma operates every day after-school and is completely free for participating families.

In 2017, she was named New Fundraiser of the Year by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Oklahoma City Chapter. Robyn also serves on the advisory board for the Oklahoma Youth Orchestras and is a board member for Oklahoma Youth Sing! (formerly known as the Norman Children’s Chorus).

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comReceive 10% Discount on your orders at http://www.graphitepublishing.com where you will find the works of Jocelyn Hagen, Eric Barnum, Timothy C. Takach,
Paul Rudoi and MANY more. Enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% Discount. Own your own site license with each PDF purchased. Print as many as you need!Robyn is a connector of people, organizations, and opportunities. She lives in Oklahoma City with her husband Stephen and their three cats.

To get in touch with Robyn, you can add her on Facebook (@robynhilger or @robynhilgeracda) or email her at executivedirector@acda.org.

Visit stageright.com for top of the line, affordable staging options like risers, acoustical shells and more!

View Details

There is an often felt, but rarely quantified sense within ensemble music experiences that something truly MAGICAL is happening that changes us profoundly. However, recent
scientific discoveries (link to sources below) are adding a more concrete validity to that which experienced musicians already intuitively know. Studies that reveal the physiological and psychological processes of cooperative effort, especially musical collaboration. The implications of these ideas are beginning to shape our very definition of “ensemble,” while providing new understandings of the benefits of group musical expression on the individual. Dr. Gary Seighman joins me to make some truly crucial observations about our art form and the human instrument.

“Presently, topics pertaining to musical perception and creativity are highly popular in neuroscience research. A major development in the field was the proposing of a human mirror neuron system. After the discovery in rhesus monkeys of “mirror neurons” that fire during both action and observation of motor behavior, scientists detected a similar working system in the fronto-parietal region of humans.” -From Gary’s related Choral Journal Article

Clinician/Presenter RequestsAmazon IdeasSupport the ShowGary Seighman is Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at Trinity University in San Antonio, TX where he oversees a comprehensive choral program and teaches courses in conducting and music education. Under his direction, Trinity’s choral ensembles have garnered regional and national accolades with invited performances at conferences including TMEA, the College Music Society, the National Collegiate Choral Organization, frequent international touring, and most recently, 3rd place for the 2022 The American Prize Competition as the smallest university in the country among the finalists. Recent professional engagements include Nashville, New York City, Taipei, Vienna, London, and Dublin. Dr. Seighman holds degrees from Westminster Choir College, the University of Oklahoma, and the University of Maryland. His wife, Dr. Jennifer Seighman, is also a choral conductor and they have 2 children, Justin and Gabrielle.

Gary’s “Choir IQ”Notes and SourcesYouTube ChannelFor more on this topic from Gary, visit Forward MotionVisit stageright.com for top of the line, affordable staging options like risers, acoustical shells and more!The best sight singing tool on the market. A must have for any band/choir or orchestra teacher and their students. In class and at home tools to build their literacy at their own pace. Enter “choralosophy” at checkout to get 10% off every time you renew at http://www.sightreadingfactory.com* Blogs * Car Thoughts * Choir Director Probs * Choralosophy Book Club * Covid Conversations * Educational Philosophy * Human Diversity * Instruction and Assessment * International * Lori Sonnenberg * Oxford Series * Podcasts * Politics and Current Events * Student Perspectives * Uncategorized

Enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% Discount. Own your own site license with each PDF purchased. Print as many as you need!Receive 10% Discount on your orders at http://www.graphitepublishing.com where you will find the works of Jocelyn Hagen, Eric Barnum, Timothy C. Takach,
Paul Rudoi and MANY more. Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.com

View Details

One of the oddest things about Vocal Music Education as a profession, is how little we are required to learn in our schooling about the voice. Vocal Pedagogy courses are often the purview of voice performance majors, which is very odd considering how many more students will be impacted with vocal instruction by a person with a Music Ed degree.

View Details

The Music Department is an alternate universe where pupils are often unrecognizable from who they are outside of it. The shy become confident. The agitated become calm. The lonely become included. The quiet become heard. And the lost become found. Music reveals the real child.

View Details

Humans aren't capable of completely original ideas. Everything is borrowed.

View Details

Advocacy Episode! Our jobs as music educators, sadly, MUST include the ability to persuasively and passionately make the case in our communities that group singing opportunities are crucial. That includes keeping choirs in our churches and in our schools and community organizations. It includes having conversations with local leaders, fundraising and more. But, what makes … Continue reading "Episode 125: Making the Case for Choir with Tom Metzger"

View Details

So, what happens when you post a video on the internet from inside your classroom and it goes viral with millions and millions of views?! It’s up to you! This happened Myles Finn and he decided to use his powers for good, creating a TikTok account with approaching SEVEN HUNDRED THOUSAND followers that shows life … Continue reading "Episode 124: Teaching in a Famous Classroom with Myles Finn"

View Details

So, what happens when you post a video on the internet from inside your classroom and it goes viral with millions and millions of views?! It’s up to you! This happened Myles Finn and he decided to use his powers for good, creating a TikTok account with approaching SEVEN HUNDRED THOUSAND followers that shows life … Continue reading "Episode 124: Teaching in a Famous Classroom with Myles Finn"

View Details

Obvious: All humans need to feel connected and have a sense of belonging. Less obvious: Teacher’s have less power to actually achieve this with all students than we think. We can WELCOME all students. But belonging has to be mutual and organic. Hot take: not ALL students need this from their school or ALL of … Continue reading "Episode 123: The Belonging Buffet"

View Details

Will, the host of the show invited me on to share some the experiences that I have had in conversations with colleagues who may be "missing the point" when they try to connect certain types of music and certain musical practices to a skin color, or the social construct that is "race."

View Details

The twelve men of Chanticleer and I had a fast paced round table discussion about what it's like to be at the Choral music mountaintop in the ensemble, about the vocal gymnastics of counter tenors, the unique space that the group occupies somewhere between "choir" and "chamber ensemble" as well as their thoughts about what it takes to create truly MAGICAL performances and moments in music making.

View Details

In this episode, filmed in front of a “live studio audience” in the form of my students, I have the opportunity to sit down with one of our generations finest compositional voices, Jake Runestad. With the help of my students, we have a spirited conversation about the value and genesis of creativity, the special nature … Continue reading "Episode 120: Jake Runestad Live in My Classroom!"

View Details

In this episode I sit down with THE Middle School choir guru, Dale Duncan to talk about sweet spot for success in Middle School vocal music. Middle School Singers are often overlooked and underestimated. What they need is an educator that believes in them, and provides high quality instruction in a school that supports them. … Continue reading "Episode 119: Yes Middle Schoolers CAN! with Dale Duncan"

View Details

On this episode Dr. Chantae Pittman joins me in the ongoing conversation surrounding the philosophy of choral music education. Why are we there? What is our function? Just how critical is it that students who complete a term or more in vocal music in school are able to reach some level of music reading proficiency. … Continue reading "Episode 118: Leveling the Playing Field with Dr. Chantae Pittman"

View Details

In this episode I have a chat with GRAMMY nominated conductor and composer, Benedict Sheehan of the St. Tikhon Monastery Choir. This passionate conversation begins with Benedict’s advocacy for people, like himself, who stutter. As you will hear, it is important that we remember that EVERYONE has something to say. We need only listen. We … Continue reading "Episode 117: Finding My Voice with Benedict Sheehan"

View Details

Is creating a welcoming, inclusive, fun, engaging and safe learning environment enough to be an excellent choir teacher? I say no. Is choir an activity or an academic course of study? You can get a PhD in it. It is an academic subject. In this episode, I “dialogue” with many of you who joined a … Continue reading "Episode 116: What is Our MAIN Job?"

View Details

A Cappella guru Rob Dietz joins me this week to tell his story of passion for the “Pop A Cappella” genre of ensemble vocal music. Rob is well known in this sub-genre of choral music for his work on “The Sing Off” and collaborations with groups as wide ranging as Pentatonix, to Flo Rida and … Continue reading "Episode 115: The A Cappella Revolution with Rob Dietz"

View Details

In this episode, I reflect on the psychology of gratitude, and on the importance of helping our students develop a healthy relationship with their own mistakes, and even flaws and weaknesses. Not because we don’t care about high achieving ensembles, but precisely for this reason.

View Details

A Choralosophy Oxford Series episode! One of the most challenging aspects of being a teacher of singing is dealing with the male changing voice. Not only are we undereducated on the physiology of the issue, we are often inconsiderate of the psychology as well. In this conversation, I have called in a true expert to … Continue reading "Episode 114: Boys Keep Singing! With Martin Ashley"

View Details

Anxiety from within is normal. The belief that students can’t overcome the anxiety can often come from the teacher’s approach. It is critically important to normalize “singing without fear.” In this car thoughts conversation, we reflect on starting the first “normal” school year in three years. This is a significant opportunity to return normalcy to … Continue reading "Car Thoughts: Back to School with No Masks and Normalizing Noise Making"

View Details

A Summer Refresher on Grading and Assessment at Alabama ACDA This episode is in many ways, the live presentation SEQUEL to Episode 21: Everyone Can Get an A. In music Education, we frequently lament cultural attitudes about music not being a “real class.” If we present courses without rigor, academic standards or measurable achievements, we … Continue reading "Everyone CAN Get an A, But Not Everyone Will"

View Details

Racism is the social construction that necessitates our continued & (mostly) blind belief in & upholding of “race” ideology & its correlated languages/practices. We just continue to fool ourselves into thinking that “race” is just “skin color,” phenotype, DNA, or culture. Dr. Sheena Mason With the rise of anti-racist discourse and initiatives, many people are … Continue reading "Episode 113: Are We Doing Anti-Racism Wrong? with Dr. Sheena Mason"

View Details

LIVE at Alabama ACDA “Who am I being that my children’s eyes are not shining?” Benjamin Zander This week I had the honor and privilege visiting with ACDA members in Alabama at their state Conference. We must turn the mirror on ourselves to ensure that we are WORTHY to stand in front of our students. … Continue reading "Episode 112: Arts of Personhood and Shining Eyes"

View Details

True diversity is the varied life experiences and cultural upbringings that lead us to our widely disparate moral “palettes.” As we gather together in classrooms, ensembles, businesses and organizations we talk a good diversity game. But rarely do we attempt to measure these things in our diversity matrix. This episode is a “Choralosophy Book Club” … Continue reading "Ep 111: The Righteous Musician with Reena Esmail"

View Details

Classrooms have become ground zero for the problem of political polarization. What is being taught, who is teaching it, how it’s being taught, how it is funded, etc. Are we teaching Critical Race Theory, or are we not? Should we be? If the Roe v. Wade case comes up, what is the teacher’s posture? These … Continue reading "Episode 110: Creating Laboratories for Friction with Mónica Guzmán"

View Details

Do you think of yourself as a “choir leading business person?” I am going to guess that most of you don’t, and I’m going to suggest that maybe you should. There are aspects of leading any type of choral program that require business acumen in order to excel. This makes many of us bristle as … Continue reading "Episode 109: Doing the Business of Choir with Alex Gartner"

View Details

The Return of Covid Conversations! Sadly, many of us in education have lived at the epicenter of the Covid Wars. Possibly the biggest political football during the pandemic has been what to do with the kids, and what to do with schools. For those of us in choral music, we lived at that intersection along … Continue reading "Episode 108: Dropping the Covid Ball with Dr. Nikki Johnson"

View Details

Straight out of the archives! Most of my live presentations are reserved for Patreon Subscribers, but I felt so strongly about the ideas in this presentation, I decided to air it out for everybody. It is my belief that when we talk about building choral programs, or any program for that matter, we do WAY … Continue reading "Episode 107: Retention Matters MORE than Recruitment"

View Details

Many people think they are speaking truth to power, but they are really just preaching to the choir. This episode deals with the role of political discourse in the lives of all citizens, and educators in particular. The future of education is hanging in the balance right now as I see it, based on the … Continue reading "Episode 106: If Every One Agrees, We Can’t Have the “Difficult Conversations” with Micah Horton"

View Details

Sound too good to be true? Well, it is if you are thinking that there is a quick and easy pill to swallow in order to get to that next level in your career. You know, the one where you simply, issue wisdom, wave your arms, say inspirational things, and the choir just SINGS! In … Continue reading "Episode 105: Work Less Hard, Have Better Choirs"

View Details

Like many topics in education, we have strains of the same philosophical divides in music education as we do in other areas of education. This week, my guest Dr. Anika Prather is the perfect person to address and offer a bridge to one of those divides. She has a background in both Music Education as … Continue reading "Episode 104: Don’t Abandon the Canon! With Dr. Anika Prather"

View Details

In Collaboration with Oxford University Press to Bring You Great Conversations In the next edition of the Oxford Series, I am excited to bring you a new voice in their catalog, Brittney E. Boykin. I had an open and refreshing conversation with her about her journey through the choral world as a conductor, teacher and … Continue reading "Episode 103: Finding My Voice with Brittney E. Boykin"

View Details

A hybrid episode! We run the risk of oversimplifying educational concepts, packaging them in seminars and professional development sessions for sale, and actually HARMING students. Or at least not helping them. Educational theories often carry precious little evidence, but we as educators frequently feel ill equipped to question them. Often times these oversimplifications are simply … Continue reading "Episode 102: Belonging Isn’t Top-Down"

View Details

Dr. Seth Pendergast of Colorado State University joins me to dig through the critical aspects of recruiting and retention. As we are (hopefully) coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, my sense is that many K-12 choral music educators are looking to grow or rebuild their choral programs. The pandemic often limited singing and many choral … Continue reading "Episode 101: The Science of Program Building with Dr. Seth Pendergast"

View Details

This episode is a milestone. The 100th full length episode of the podcast. Since my wife Beth was the FIRST guest on the show, I thought it would be good to go full circle, and bring her on again! Being a music teacher is an important job. It is, or should be about SO MUCH … Continue reading "Episode 100: Sing Softer, You’re Off Key with Beth Munce"

View Details

Part of the Oxford Series on the Choralosophy Podcast Dig into the mind of Gabriel Jackson, one of my FAVORITE composers. His ability to mix the modern with the ancient really makes my “Spidey Sense” tingle! We discuss his music, and journey to composition, as well his feelings about Orchestral musicians seeming to live in … Continue reading "Episode 99: The World Imagined with Gabriel Jackson"

View Details

A New Initiative from a New Organization: FAIR in the Arts is a program from the Foundation Against Intolerance and Racism We have to think about group identity and immutable characteristics, and how they shape our experience as humans in the world. We can’t ignore those things. But they are not the only things. We … Continue reading "Episode 98: You Are Your Story with Brent Morden, Michelle Pollino and Angel Eduardo"

View Details

I did a live episode recently on Teacher Burnout, and another one in December about teacher burnout leading up the Holiday Break, but STUDENT burn out is a thing too. Call it senioritis, or apathy, or “checked out.” Regardless of what you name it, it must be fought intentionally through the culture built in the … Continue reading "Senioritis vs. The Last Concert"

View Details

A Podcast Exchange! Emily Williams Burch is back. What makes us tick? Can we be collegial without knowing each other? What was it like for me to traipse around uninvited at Southern Region ACDA? Why do in person conventions matter so much? These and many more questions answered! A candid and jam-packed conversation between podcast … Continue reading "Episode 97: Intentions Matter with Emily Williams Burch"

View Details

Dr. Braeden Ayres is a teacher, conductor and composer with a passion point related to concepts of masculinity in choral music. What stereotypes are we stuck too, what challenges to we face when discussing it, and what are the best ways to engage young adolescent boys in our school choral programs? We discussed some of … Continue reading "Episode 96: “Real Men” Sing? with Braeden Ayres"

View Details

Teachers, this is the episode you want to send to your admin! “Hi, Dr. Principal. I listened do an expert on a podcast that says our new district educational model is not backed by evidence.” I’m sure they will be very excited… Dr. Kristina Mitchell is an education researcher who specializes in instructional methodology. She … Continue reading "Episode 95: Your School’s PD is Not Evidence Based with Dr. Kristina Mitchell"

View Details

An episode inspired by the Oxford Handbook of Vocal Studies by Dr. Alisha Jones called “Singing High: Black Countertenors and Gendered Sound in Gospel Performance.” The article dropped into my email box and I immediately thought, THIS is a podcast. I was so right. Patrick’s story is not only fascinating, but his experience is emblematic … Continue reading "Episode 94: Singing High, Singing “Us” with Patrick Dailey"

View Details

The Third Anniversary Episode of the Choralosophy Podcast! The serendipity of having this episode ready to publish this week, on the third anniversary of the show is incredible. After all, three years ago I was motivated to launch this show because I saw a need stemming from how divided we were becoming as a nation. … Continue reading "Episode 93: Togetherness Activists with Micah Hendler"

View Details

LIVE conventions are back! I am so excited, because this online thing does not do it for me. So, I was itching to talk to people! So, I traveled with a portable kit to get the opinions and stories of people at the the convention. It was great to talk to college professors, band directors, … Continue reading "Episode 92: Live at Missouri Music Educators"

View Details

You need to create music that reflects you. Start with who you are. I tend to tell students not to filter out aspects of their lives from their music. If you start with who you are, then you are the only one who can come up with the best solutions. Trevor Weston Trevor Weston is … Continue reading "Episode 91: Music is My Culture with Trevor Weston"

View Details

Teaching students to be literate requires teachers who are trained for it. The episode you have been asking for for over a year is finally here! It is jam packed full of ideas and solutions. The music literacy guru herself, Carol Krueger and I discuss the crisis facing music education that few are talking about. … Continue reading "Episode 90: Sound Before Sight with Carol Krueger"

View Details

For this Oxford Press conversation, I was able to speak to composer Alan Bullard about his life, career and approach to choral music. We talked about what it was like to study with Herbert Howells, the need for music for flexible voicings, the contrasting economy of sheet music sales in the US and UK, as … Continue reading "Episode 89: Writing Music People LIKE to Sing with Alan Bullard"

View Details

When discussing how music and education intersects with race, gender and culture, I find that we are often pretty quick to apply reductionist labels to the idea or concept. For example, phrases I have come across too often include “That’s a boy’s song,” or “Choral Music is an inherently white art form,” or “sight reading … Continue reading "Episode 88: Music is Inherently Raceless with Theron Jenkins"

View Details

Teacher morale has reached a crisis point. If you’ve ever felt the crisis or seen the crisis, this episode is for you. In this Livestream episode I got input from some of my Patreon supporters, as well as people listening on Facebook which was fun, and kept the conversation spinning to topics of teacher pay, … Continue reading "Teacher Burnout Town Hall- Live Stream"

View Details

John Rutter, JD Frizell, Odell Ziegler, a Newsweek writer and an Epidemiologist walk into a bar… What do all of these people have in common? They, along with several others, have made the Choralosophy TOP 10 of 2021. The episodes and post that created the most buzz this year are listed, linked and reviewed below! … Continue reading "YOUR 10 Favorite Episodes of 2021"

View Details

John Rutter, JD Frizell, Odell Ziegler, a Newsweek writer and an Epidemiologist walk into a bar… What do all of these people have in common? They, along with several others, have made the Choralosophy TOP 10 of 2021. The episodes and post that created the most buzz this year are listed, linked and reviewed below! … Continue reading "YOUR 10 Favorite Episodes of 2021"

View Details

Perform! And be proud of it! Audiences NEED us this Holiday season. Our singers need to perform. Children need to see smiles. We inject so much joy into the world when we perform. In this short episode I discuss a few topics briefly that I felt the need to get off my chest. Including the … Continue reading "Performance is Virtuous, Unmasked Concerts and Teacher Burnout"

View Details

One of the most COMMON questions to pop up, almost weekly, on choir director Facebook groups is “what do I do to help these (usually boys, not always) match pitch?!” It is usually a panic induced, “I’ve tried everything” kind of post. This short episode brings in the expert, Donald Brinegar, choral director, professor and … Continue reading "Episode 87: Demystifying Pitch Matching Struggles with Don Brinegar"

View Details

An Unconventional Approach to the Urban Choral Classroom I believe one of the biggest goals is getting the students interested in singing choral music before we start trying to operate out of formality. How do we get students interested in something they are not familiar with? Odell Zeigler IV Recently, I came across a shining … Continue reading "Episode 86: All Students DESERVE Music Literacy with Odell Zeigler IV"

View Details

I could NOT do this show without you. Please take 6 minutes and let me thank the various people that make this show possible. Most of all YOU! Past Thanksgiving Episodes! (Click photos)

View Details

Next stop, Oxford University and St. Edmund Hall. Betsy and I are joined by composer, conductor, teacher James Whitbourn. Or as he describes himself, a musician. We discussed the Oxford system of colleges and the wide range of choral opportunities it provides. I was fascinated by this because I had never taken the time to … Continue reading "Episode 85: “Exploring the Choirs of Europe” with James Whitbourn of St. Edmund Hall"

View Details

The Second Installment Betsy Cook Weber’s Sabbatical Series! In this stop, Betsy visits Stockholm, Sweden to see Gary Graden and the St. Jacobs Kammerkör. Betsy, Gary and I discuss how an American born director ended up learning from Eric Ericsson and never leaving. We also dive into the philosophies, practices and approaches that lead to … Continue reading "Episode 84: Exploring the Choirs of Europe with Gary Graden of St. Jacobs Kammerkör"

View Details

The First Installment of the a new series following Betsy Cook Weber on her Sabbatical I am honored to present to you a new series of podcasts and videos with Dr. Betsy Cook Weber. Dr. Weber is on Sabbatical this semester, and she reached out to me to partner in documenting her travels across Europe. … Continue reading "Episode 83: “Exploring the Choirs of Europe” Rupert Gough of Royal Holloway"

View Details

Author of the Newsweek article “Why Calling Merit Racist Erases People of Color.” One of the raging debates today in education centers around the ways in which we can expand access to fruits of high quality education to more students. And that is a wonderful debate to have, and an important one. However, a troubling … Continue reading "Episode 82: Are Merit-BasedStandards Racist? With Angel Eduardo"

Racecraft: The Soul of Inequality in American Life

View Details

One of the foundational principles of this show is that we, as humans AND as colleagues don’t have to agree about everything. In fact I will take it a step further: we NEED disagreement and dialogue in order to learn and grow. This episode is based on that principle. I recently came across Kirsten Oberoi … Continue reading "Episode 81: Can Auditions be Inclusive? With Kirsten Oberoi"

View Details

At some point, we have to come back to choir, (or quit) and the Covid risk will not be zero. So, it is now unavoidable that we will have to become comfortable engaging with humans in close proximity because they NEED us. Choir is essential. Nicola Dedmon recently wrote a great article in the ACDA … Continue reading "Episode 80: Finding Connection Again with Nicola Dedmon"

View Details

Brought to you by members of my Patreon, who have collaborated with me to create this episode. This is the first time I have done a MULTI topic show. I think you will enjoy it! Topics in this short episode include: How are you navigating the return to “normal” activities? Do you get flack for … Continue reading "Ask Me Literally ANYTHING! Vol. 1"

View Details

In this episode, I read some recent reviews from the Apple Podcasts App, as well as some questions that came in through the website. Then, I have clipped out a portion of episode one of Reconstructing the Dialogue. A new podcast on which I am but one voice of many. Journalist Mónica Guzman, Professor Erec … Continue reading "Chris Reads from the Audience Mailbag and Joins the Cast of a NEW Podcast"

View Details

We can expect “Excellence” and be inclusive of all ability levels at the same time! That’s it. That’s the Blog. Just kidding. There’s more. On the Choralosophy Podcast over the last several years, I have presented my thoughts on choral music curriculum in several episodes. From grading policies, to literacy instruction, as well a the … Continue reading "Car Thoughts: Elite without elitism, merit without meritocracy"

View Details

Panel discussion featuring three insightful Professors In this week’s special panel conversation, I am finally responding to what has been a frequent listener suggestion for a podcast topic. A “no BS” discussion on the Choral Grad School decision that weighs so heavily on many of us, sometimes more than once in our careers. So, I … Continue reading "Episode 79: Is Grad School Right For Me?! André Thomas, Jennaya Robison and Giselle Wyers"

View Details

This special episode is something a bit different, in that it is a recap of a shared experience. All the way back on Episode 17, Marques Garrett challenged me to intentionally find an opportunity to be an “only” in the room. I had reflected in that conversation that, as a white guy, I don’t think … Continue reading "Episode 78: The Only White Guy in the Room with Maria and Chris"

View Details

Removing Barriers To Honest and Emotional Singing J.D. Frizzell is a standout educator and clinician. In this episode, we discuss Dr. Frizzell’s successful approach to getting his singers to come out of their shells! We all want our ensembles to sing with passion, honesty, and expression, but how do we achieve this in an objective, … Continue reading "Episode 77: Singing Without Fear with Dr. J.D. Frizzell"

View Details

Part of the Oxford Series on the Choralosophy Podcast The next installment of the Oxford Series is THE John Rutter. We have all grown up knowing the name and legacy that John represents. In this conversation, my goal was to give you a peak behind the curtain revealing the human side of the legend. We … Continue reading "Episode 76: Finding a Niche with John Rutter"

View Details

CDC published epidemiologist returns to the show to discuss the science of schools in the shifting sands of Delta. Since appearing on the show in November on Episode 49, Dr. Høeg has been very busy both researching and making public commentary about the issues surrounding Covid, kids and schools. Since her first Choralosophy appearance, she … Continue reading "Episode 75: The Delta Variables with Dr. Tracy Hoeg (part 2)"

View Details

CDC published epidemiologist returns to the show to discuss the science of schools in the shifting sands of Delta. Since appearing on the show in November on Episode 49, Dr. Høeg has been very busy both researching and making public commentary about the issues surrounding Covid, kids and schools. Since her first Choralosophy appearance, she … Continue reading "Episode 75: The Delta Variables with Dr. Tracy Hoeg (Part 1)"

View Details

A Back to School Special From Choralosophy Podcast Listen in, or watch on YouTube for the complete presentation focusing on the practices, philosophies and RESULTS made possible by Sight Reading Factory. I discuss the “first day of school” reading activity, the way I rip off the bandaid by removing all keyboard assistance for note reading, … Continue reading "Mastering Literacy Instruction- Live at Iowa ACDA"

View Details

A Back to School Special from the Choralosophy Podcast This time, we have William Bennett of Cane Bay High School in the hot seat to reflect on Carol Dweck’s “Mindset” research and practice as well as its implication in the choral rehearsal setting. Warning: sportsball metaphors are used gratuitously. In this short discussion, we will … Continue reading "Bite Sized Choral Tips: “Mindset” in Rehearsal with William Bennett"

View Details

A Back to School Special from Choralosophy Podcast Zach Singer weighed in on the main page of Choralosophy.com with an idea to share with us. He calls it being a “cultural custodian.” As we get back to being busy, I thought you might enjoy a few bite sized episodes with some practical, usable ideas. Tune … Continue reading "Bite Size Back to School Thoughts- “Cultural Custodians” with Zach Singer"

View Details

Expertise Cannot Be Earned as a student. We must test our academic ideas in the real world. I recently had a lot of time to think and reflect while driving home from the convention circuit, so I went LIVE in the Choralsophers FB group to discuss some reactions to audience feedback from the Success Rubrics … Continue reading "Car Thoughts Live: What is Expertise in Choral Music?"

View Details

Who is in the Choral Cool Kids Club? Our current rubric is based almost entirely on two factors. What degree do you have? And what level of choir do you direct? That’s not enough. One of the hot items of choral discussion recently has been “Choral Elitism.” I have done episodes on the show about … Continue reading "Reimagining the Rubric For “Success” In Choral Careers"

View Details

For the Midsummer installment of the show, I am encouraging you to take a professional development break from your summer fun, not to “do work,” but to begin thinking ahead. To start hoping, dreaming, and scheming for your BEST academic year yet. In fact, I believe that in order to be a a”professional educator,” the … Continue reading "The Essential PD Library: Starting Your School Year With Momentum"

View Details

Over the past year, I began to notice a breath of fresh air in the online choral discourse in the form of Reginal Wright. Like many of you, I have used Facebook to network with other choral directors that I don’t know in real life. This has benefits for me as a Podcast host, but … Continue reading "Episode 74: Is the Choral Ecosystem a Political Monolith? With Reginal Wright"

View Details

Executive producer and host of the television program African Ascent, W.E.B Du Bois fellow at Harvard, Professor of Philosophy at Berklee College of Music, Author “I try to argue that they can become better musicians if they become philosophically trained. They will become sensitive to aesthetics in their lives, to the role that art plays … Continue reading "Episode 73: Love Supreme with Professor Teodros Kiros"

View Details

Singers often have the mentality that if they go to the audition and don’t get the gig, they have failed. Choral directors often feel that if someone doesn’t hire them for the tenure track, or the honor choir gig, then they have sufficiently been told “no.” “I guess this isn’t for me after all.” The … Continue reading "Episode 72: Artists! It’s OK to be an Entrepreneur with Brian Witkowski"

View Details

And other silly traps we fall in to due to the nature of our job and its subsequent ego pitfalls. Tune in for this short reflection on the overbearing conductor stereotype. I think it’s possible that we don’t appreciate what constantly having our job evaluated in front of people does to our Psyche… Changing Your … Continue reading "Car Thoughts: The Conductor is ALWAYS Right?"

View Details

Episode 71: It’s All in the Story with Cecilia McDowall Another Installment of the Oxford Series on the Choralosophy Podcast Episode 71 Cecilia McDowall has long been one of my favorite Choral composers. If I were to boil down my reasons for this it would come to her masterful ability to transport both audience and performer through … Continue reading "Episode 71: It’s All in the Story, with Cecilia McDowall"

View Details

Another Installment of the Oxford Series on the Choralosophy Podcast Cecilia McDowall has long been one of my favorite Choral composers. If I were to boil down my reasons for this it would come to her masterful ability to transport both audience and performer through space and time with her writing. In this conversation, I … Continue reading "Episode 71: It’s All in the Story with Cecilia McDowall"

View Details

In this episode, Dr. Ryan Board of Pepperdine University and I discuss the role we see for Choral Music education in filling the void of psychological and emotional development of young people and adults. The epidemic of the loss of resiliency in young people is well documented. Dr. Board walks us through the work of … Continue reading "Episode 70: Legitimate Love and Suffering in the Music Classroom with Dr. Ryan Board"

View Details

Want your singers to make less mistakes while sight reading? In this episode I outline some approaches, philosophies and even a rubric. But first, one obvious tip, and one counterintuitive one: Obvious: SRF assignments, quizzes and most importantly daily class work, and test EACH kid individually at the level appropriate for their current aptitude. Not … Continue reading "Episode 69: Higher Standards-Lower Anxiety"

View Details

I say it’s steering them. And I think that’s bad news. I believe that Social Media has a tremendous upside and potential for good. But only if it is reflective of the common humanity that we experience when we are in person. My concern is that this has been reversed. That, as we begin to … Continue reading "Car Thoughts: Is Social Media Steering or Reflecting Choir Conversations?"

View Details

For the first time on Choralosophy, I have written a blog to accompany the podcast episode! This post is not specific to music or musicians. But, as with many topics, we are all trying to navigate a rapidly changing social landscape. I think, write and speak quite a bit about how the quality of conversation … Continue reading "A Rhetorical Analysis of Toxic Discourses with Dr. Erec Smith"

View Details

I am very unlikely to to give much credence to a person who is critical of the music education practices of colleagues, if they have nothing better to point to. Criticizing is easy. Building something better is hard. Show me your program and how your ideas have shown results, then I am more likely to … Continue reading "Episode 67 Part 2: Growing Access in a Greenhouse with Vince Peterson"

View Details

Then, be sure to tune in to Part 2 next week, as Vince discusses his brainstorm that is “Greenhouse Music” and why he thinks some of the problems with music education, and educator training need real solutions by rethinking the model, the access and the outcomes. Vince Peterson is a respected choral conductor, composer/arranger, and teacher … Continue reading "Episode 67 Part 1: How to Create your Musician’s Credo with Vince Peterson"

View Details

Another Installment of the Oxford Series on the Choralosophy Podcast I had the joy and privilege of chatting with Oxford Choral Composer, Sarah Quartel. We centered our conversation around the ideas of collaborative music making, and choral music specifically, and their ability to build community, increase well being, flourishing and growth. We ranged also to … Continue reading "Episode 66: “I Shine!” Music as Self Care with Sarah Quartel"

View Details

Spoiler- Don’t Ask Them To Sing Louder One of the most common questions I get from choir teachers is “How do I get my kids to sing louder?! I beg and I plead, but they just don’t make any noise.” The first mistake you made was the begging and pleading. The second mistake was asking … Continue reading "Car Thoughts: How To Get Choirs to “Sing Louder”"

View Details

Shared goals are more important than any other factors when building community. Not shared cultures, shared backgrounds, or shared talents. We just need to want the same things. Choirs are typically natural breeding grounds of this type of shared interest. In this episode I compare notes with writer, podcaster and Tango instructor Dr. Iona Italia … Continue reading "Episode 65: The Art of Community with Dr. Iona Italia"

View Details

Show Notes Here (This episode had some weird tech things with my website.)

View Details

The Next Installment of the Student Perspectives Series In this episode, I “Zoomed” in to the choral classroom of Steve Hickman at Highland High School in Gilbert, AZ. I had the privilege of speaking with Steve and his students in the Advanced Vocal Ensemble about a variety of things related to “making choir happen” over … Continue reading "Episode 64: Student Perspectives on Choir in a Pandemic with Highland High Choir and Steve Hickman"

View Details

The Next Installment of the Student Perspectives Series In this episode, I “Zoomed” in to the choral classroom of Steve Hickman at Highland High School in Gilbert, AZ. I had the privilege of speaking with Steve and his students in the Advanced Vocal Ensemble about a variety of things related to “making choir happen” over … Continue reading "Episode 64: Student Perspectives on Choir in a Pandemic with Highland High Choir and Steve Hickman"

View Details

UNLOCKED This episode is an UNLOCKED Patreon only episode that I released in October at the Choralosophy Podcast private feed. I am releasing it here now in an effort to encourage some deep thinking about the Choral Profession and our recent flourish of colleague cancellation. This particular episode looks back at the essay written by … Continue reading "How NOT to Write Your Cancellation Essay"

View Details

An installment of the Oxford Series on the Choralosophy Podcast In choral music, in a different way than in other types of music making, WE ARE the instrument. This creates a unique vulnerability within choral music. If my saxophone is flat, I can fix the ligature, and EXTERNALIZE the problem. With singers, we must still … Continue reading "Episode 63: “We Face People.” The Courage of the Choir with Bob Chilcott"

View Details

Many people use the term “elitist” to describe aspects of choral music. The problem, as I see it is that this term means different things to different people. So in this short verbal essay, I reflect on the need to be specific when we criticize. I also discuss some places that I see Elitism in … Continue reading "Thoughts on What ‘Elitism” Means in Choral Music"

View Details

Featuring Laura Ritter and her Walters State Chamber Choir In this episode, I feature Laura Ritter and her Walters State Chamber Choir. I asked students to reflect on why they NEED choir, what it has meant to them to return to singing in our current troubled time, what has created a sense of safety and … Continue reading "Episode 62: Filling in the Gaps with Choir"

View Details

Part of the Oxford Series on the Choralosophy Podcast Join us in this thought provoking and jovial conversation in which Will and I discuss a comparison of the US and UK music education paradigms, his approach to the creative process, and the possible pitfalls of training “sight reading machines.” While this can result in singers … Continue reading "Episode 61: Give Me Some Humanity! With Will Todd"

View Details

Isaac Cates is an enigma wrapped in a riddle. A classically trained pianist, who is also a gospel music specialist, but also a singer-song writer… Oh! and also a choir clinician. Turns out he is also a fantastic podcast guest! Join Isaac and I in studio for this multifaceted conversation. We discussed Isaac’s approach to … Continue reading "Episode 60: Labels Won’t Stick to Isaac Cates"

View Details

Conference line up and itinerary being finalized very soon!

View Details

This special episode comes at Podcasting from a bit of a different angle. Enjoy a spot as a fly on the wall while two couples, both comprised of two choral musicians, sit down to discuss the benefits and possible pitfalls of being married to someone who shares your professional sphere. My wife Beth and I … Continue reading "Episode 59: Married to the Choir with The Robison’s and the The Munces"

View Details

Special Update! From myself, along with Robin and Jon at MyMusicFolders Colorado STATE Testing: We were given the opportunity in early July to send prototypes to Colorado State aerosol lab for testing, and those results were published, along with several others, as part of their interactive mask effectiveness charts, and people continue to reference those … Continue reading "Why You May Have Misunderstood Singers Masks and the Aerosol Study"

View Details

With Dr. Jerry Blackstone, Matthew Workman and Brian Gaukel Have you heard about this yet?! What an exciting project this is. My three guests for this episode have teamed up to create a monumental expression of what choral singing means to us here in the United States. “CHORAL SINGING IN AMERICA: NURTURING THE AMERICAN SOUL.” … Continue reading "Episode 58: Telling the Story of American Choral Singing"

View Details

The Oxford Series on the Choralosophy Podcast! Reena Esmail is currently the composer in residence for the LA Master Chorale and the composer of TaReKiTa published by Oxford University Press. Reena works between the worlds of Indian and Western classical music, to bring communities together through the creation of equitable musical spaces and holds degrees … Continue reading "Episode 57: Working Between Worlds with Reena Esmail"

View Details

I said what I said. The hot topic this week has been choir snobbery online in regards to pop music, or commercial music. I think this is an important topic, but as always, I have my own little angle that might be different than most. It could be that telling people what they must support … Continue reading "Car Thoughts: I Think We Dis the Super Bowl Music Because We’re Jealous"

View Details

I saw a few posts from colleagues recently that seemed to lament our inability to have good discussions among people who disagree online. The first problem: we aren’t actually having discussions anymore… The best conversations I’ve ever had with colleagues have been in the bar at conventions. Or on my show!

View Details

The lead sound engineer for Hallmark Corporation walks us through the basics of how to create a respectable digital representation of your ensemble. A nuts and bolts episode covering everything you need to know before you get started! Many of us will exist at different places on the learning curve on this topic, but Josh … Continue reading "Episode 56: Sound Engineering for Dummies with Josh Williams"

View Details

Just a random rant in my car. As performance opportunities dwindled over the last year, we have been quick to rationalize this as a good thing. Maybe because we needed to in order to cope with the loss? Either way, maybe it’s not that simple. Maybe the performances are critical.

View Details

In this conversation, Soprano Deborah Stephens and I engage in an open and raw conversation about many aspects of identity and how it effects our concepts of self as well as how this effects our view of the music world. We hit the hot button topics of our own identities and how we see ourselves, … Continue reading "Episode 55: Music At the Intersection of Identities with Deborah Stephens"

View Details

Your TeacherGram can’t be your main focus. Make sure your kids remain at the center of everything you’re doing. Katherine Rosenfeld We are now in a time in which the line between our day to lives and our social media lives are becoming ever harder to keep separate. Almost like a living business card, we … Continue reading "Episode 54: Choir Teacher TikTok and Tips for Social Media Use for Educators with Katherine Rosenfeld"

View Details

I was recently introduced to the Enneagram, so I cannot claim any expertise on it, so I called in a knowledgable friend! I invited Kailin Kane to come explain the Enneagram in a way that can enhance the context for those that know about it already, or as an introduction to noobs like me. As … Continue reading "Episode 53: The Enneagram As a Tool for Harmonious Rehearsals with Kailin Kane"

View Details

JUMP STRAIGHT TO VIDEO Resonance Unit With Voce Vista Define Resonance Define overtones Discuss (let kids chime in as much as possible) the examples of simple musical instruments. Why does a piano sound like a piano, or guitar like a guitar etc. (I recommend having your computer ready with some simple instrument sounds mp3s that … Continue reading "BONUS Virtual Unit on Resonance- VIDEO VERSION RECOMMENDED."

View Details

Tune As I Reflect On The Year, and Look Forward to 2021! 2020 is coming to a close (thank God) and I wanted to thank the readers and listeners here on ChoralNet, the Podcast channels, YouTube, or wherever you engage with Choralosophy content! This year has been year of growth for the show, and it wouldn’t have … Continue reading "COVID and Social Justice: A Look Back at Audience Favorites of 2020"

View Details

Don’t bring work home with you. Grading practices and making literacy the core of the curriculum can lead to better choirs, less stress for the teacher and more time in class for a rich and in depth learning experience. This episode takes on a unique format, in that it was birthed from listener response from … Continue reading "Episode 52: Better Choirs with Less Work After Hours with Guest Host John Sargent"

View Details

I am really struggling with teaching online. I know many of you are too. Since, I pick up a vibe that this is a touchy subject to discuss, I have no choice but to discuss it. Such is the lot of the podcaster, I suppose. I hope this helps somebody.

View Details

When you do music from a culture that is not your own, it is like you are holding someone else’s dreams and past in your hands. Janet Galván In this touching and vulnerable conversation, Dr. Galván and I discuss the very important issue of programming and preparing to perform music from an ever growing number … Continue reading "Episode 51: Diversifying Repertoire is a Personal Journey with Dr. Janet Galván"

View Details

I am pleased to introduce you to the next EXPOSED composer from Graphite Publishing, David von Kampen. I am doing a piece of David’s this winter with my students, and was inspired to pass along how great it is! So, why not resurrect this segment on the show. Enjoy!

View Details

“To stimulate thinking you must ask questions. The instant you give YOUR philosophy, the thinking stops. What you want is for them to think for themselves.” Dr. Eph Ehly It’s difficult to describe the impact that Eph Ehly has had on the choral profession. In fact, it may be impossible to quantify. He has cultivated … Continue reading "Episode 50: An Eagle’s Eye View with Dr. Eph Ehly"

View Details

Is school really driving community spread? Or is school safer than the general community? Dr. Høeg joins me to discuss a topic that is directly pertinent to many of my listeners as colleagues and friends who are concerned or at least interested in understanding how Covid is affecting school from a science and data perspective. … Continue reading "Episode 49: Cutting Through the Hype of Covid in Schools with Dr. Tracy Høeg"

View Details

A choral musician with a “marathon mindset” would never listen to a choir and think, “well, we’re done. We’ve done all we can do.” The same is true of our lives as teachers/conductors. Welcome Dr. Emily Williams Burch BACK to the show, but this time IN my home studio. A personal and vulnerable conversation in … Continue reading "Episode 48: The Choral Marathon with Dr. Emily Williams Burch In the Studio"

View Details

As many listeners know, quality conversation is my passion. Building our resistance to vitriol and judgment in online conversation is a huge part of that. Angel Eduardo is a writer that I came across on Twitter when his article “Three Tips for Having Difficult Conversations” came across my feed. I instantly knew I had found … Continue reading "Navigating Post-Election Conversations at Thanksgiving Dinner with Angel Eduardo"

View Details

As we march through what has been the most challenging semester possibly to EVER face the field of education, we find ourselves twisting our minds in pretzels to discover what works and what doesn’t work on the fly. Every day is an experiment whether you are in person with masks, hybrid or all online, you … Continue reading "Episode 47: The Mental Gymnastics of COVID Rehearsals with Dr. Kyle Nielsen"

View Details

Reflections on posting opinions on the internet, as well as thoughts about “cancel culture” in choral music.

View Details

When we see and hear the Aeolians perform we impressed by the technical precision. We are in awe of the dynamic range, the tone, the diction and the phrasing. But we are INSPIRED by the emotional buy-in and engagement from the singers in the ensemble. This culture doesn’t happen naturally in choral ensembles. It is … Continue reading "Episode 46: Teaching With Heart with Dr. Jason Max Ferdinand"

View Details

Dr. Weber, in my mind, is one of the legends of the choral profession due to the contribution of her body of work over many years and at all levels of teaching. I find the combination of her high level of music making, along with her experience in classrooms with young kids and everything in … Continue reading "Episode 45: It’s Time to Transfer the Deed to Our Singers with Dr. Betsy Cook Weber"

View Details

How can we set up our music courses to truly meet students where they are and encourage students that singing is skill to be built, and not a talent one “has” or “doesn’t have?” Can we create a curriculum and grading structure that does not reward and punish students for their exposure to music, or … Continue reading "Choir Director Problems: The Psychology of Growth vs. Achievement in Assessment"

View Details

At the end of the year the students should be better singers. Not better CHORAL singers. Better SINGERS. Dr. Jami Rhodes This special episode is a tag team. Dr. Andrew Crane of Brigham Young University and Dr. Jami Rhodes of East Carolina University join me to discuss some common myths, misconceptions and vocal pedagogy practices … Continue reading "Episode 44: Prioritizing Technique. Not Style with Andrew Crane and Jami Rhodes"

View Details

At this point you have probably heard of Chor Amor. If you haven’t then get out from under that rock, and listen! 😉 They, under Troy Robertson’s leadership, have hosted brainstorming sessions, virtual choir performances, and teaching resource content on choramor.com and so much more. The value of a centralized location and effort of professionals … Continue reading "Episode 43: The Tools for Our Time With Troy Robertson of Chor Amor"

View Details

This Choralosophy Podcast special has been recut and reimagined by Michael himself to include the most salient portions of our free wheeling conversation on many choral topics including the role of the conductor, the reimagining of the performing arts during our hiatus, and the secrets of the Anuna brand of small ensemble singing, and much … Continue reading "A Conversation and Concert With Michael McGlynn and Anuna"

View Details

In this short episode, I welcomed Lori Sonnenberg, speech pathologist and singing voice specialist, BACK on the Choralosophy Podcast to help us with a pressing issue. The school year is starting again, and many of us are know using our voices again in new and unique ways. Namely, teaching or singing in a mask, or … Continue reading "Episode 42: Tips And Tricks for Vocal Health. Masked or Online. With Lori Sonnenberg"

View Details

A Choralosophy First attempt at a front porch conversation. I invited members of my recently graduated choral program to talk about what life has been life in lockdown. Featuring Eghosa Ogbevoen, Avery Beavers and Zaria Jackson. This episode is an experiment for sure! I began to feel like much of our conversation had been a … Continue reading "Episode 41: The Kids are Not Ok-Class of 2020 Edition"

View Details

When Science gets thrust to the center of our artistic world, how do we react, how do we gather info, and how do we decide? An enlightening conversation about our singing with Covid situation with Nick Sienkiewicz. Nick is a young colleague preparing to earn his Masters in Choral Conducting at IU Bloomington. But before … Continue reading "Episode 40: When Artists Have to Learn Science with Nick Sienkiewicz"

View Details

How can we streamline the rehearsal process to make the most of student contact time? If you are like me, you have seen a TON of ideas for online activities to keep our choirs engaged. And that’s wonderful! We need as many tools in our belt as we can get. However, what about the times … Continue reading "Bonus Episode: Plans for a Hybrid Rehearsal Structure"

View Details

Eric Whitacre may be the father of the virtual choir. But could he have ever envisioned what it would become? In this episode, I have the honor of speaking with the FATHER of the virtual choir. Eric Whitacre. We discuss the origins of his virtual choir “franchise” and his thoughts on watching that concept evolve … Continue reading "Episode 39: The Birth and Maturation of the Virtual Choir with Eric Whitacre"

View Details

Our online choral conversations are frequently centered, especially recently, around culture. How do we negotiate a diverse society within our classrooms and the online conversations that result? Dr. Graham invited me on his YouTube channel to discuss topics that fall under this broad umbrella like cancel culture, race, discourse and why so many of these … Continue reading "Bonus Episode: Stepping Outside the Choir World with Sociologist Dr. Roderick Graham"

View Details

Introducing an AMAZING product from MyMusicFolders.com! The resonance singer’s mask shown in this short demo is an excellent option for risk reduction in Covid-era singing. Ultimately, for choirs who choose to sing using tools like this, you will need a mask that is conducive to comfortable breathing and articulating. This is the mask for you! … Continue reading "Resonance Singer’s Mask Demo (video version on YouTube)"

View Details

In this episode, I continue my deep dive into attempting to understand how the pandemic may effect our world generally, but specifically the world of music and the performing arts. However, it should be obvious that parallels to our everyday lives are interwoven into this information. In this conversation, Dr, Manian and I focus primarily … Continue reading "Episode 38: Necessity is the Mother of Invention with Dr. Farrin Manian"

View Details

National Chair of the American Choral Directors Association’s Diversity Initiatives Committee This episode flipped the normal script a little bit, where I got to be on the hot seat! I was honored to be invited to be the guest on “And the Beat Goes On” presented by Arreon Harley-Emerson of the Choir School of Delaware. … Continue reading "Episode 37: Speaking of Diversity in High Definition with Arreon Harley-Emerson"

View Details

In this episode, I bring you a substantially in depth conversation with another expert physician who specializes in infectious disease and is on the front lines of treating COVID-19 patients. Humans have a strong bias towards pessimism and the disregarding of any good news. As a result, we tend to trust bad news without question, … Continue reading "Episode 36: Are We Asking All the Right COVID Questions? With Dr. David McKinsey of Research Medical Center"

View Details

How Narrow Focus and Tribalism Leads to Bad Decision Making A special edition of the Choralosophy Podcast. It’s basically not about choir at all… But, it’s short and I hope it’s thought provoking, or even helpful! We sure are living in a strange time. The mission of the Choralosophy Podcast is to encourage conversation to … Continue reading "The Eye of the Tiger"

View Details

This special episode is a Podcast exchange with the brand new “Music (ed) Matters” podcast hosted by Dr. Emmy Burch. I invite you to check out her show! I am excited to welcome Emmy Burch to the Choral Podcast “scene” with this episode. She already has several excellent conversations available on her channel. In this … Continue reading "Episode 35: Equity Pitfalls of Online Music Instruction with Emmy Burch"

View Details

As we all look forward to an uncertain future in our choral rehearsals, we might also turn our attention to what was an already RAPIDLY changing market for choral sheet music. For a conversation on this topic I reached out to Susan LaBarr, composer and editor for Walton Music. Our conversation was wide ranging from … Continue reading "Episode 34: Copyright Law Myths and the Future of Choral Publishing with Susan LaBarr"

View Details

Dr. Adalja is a Senior Scholar at the Johns Hopkins University Center for Health Security. His work is focused on emerging infectious disease, pandemic preparedness, and biosecurity. I am honored to be able to publish this in a time in which all of the education field is reeling with the possibility that school might be … Continue reading "Episode 33: Risk Assessment for Group Activities with Dr. Amesh Adalja of Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security"

View Details

Speech Pathologist, Singing Voice Specialist and Classical Soprano I have notice during my time working from home that my voice felt fresher, freer and more resonant than ever. I immediately began noticing other teachers mentioning this online as well, so I sought out an expert on the physiology and function of the voice who also … Continue reading "Episode 32: Resetting the Voice for the Choral Director with Lori Sonnenberg"

View Details

Instead, I will temporarily place myself inside of a different box as an educator. Believe me, I will be busting out of that box and shredding it ASAP.

View Details

Have you been looking for an excuse to try your hand at composing or creating custom classroom materials for your students? Ryan Main made the switch from teaching to composing full time years ago and has some advice. Ryan and I had this conversation about a month ago when we were still allowed to have … Continue reading "Episode 31: Stuck at Home? Try Composing! With Ryan Main"

View Details

Just a short note of encouragement to those of you colleagues putting a lot of pressure on yourself right now. Stop it! Do your best, but stop it. 🙂 Most Recent Episode

View Details

And other musings about my plans to take choir online. This is a strange time to be posting about choir in a Podcast right now. Considering that choirs are being sidelined all around the world. Of course, we might be the worst kind of activity right now. Sitting in crowded rooms deep breathing… But sadly, … Continue reading "Episode 30. How to lead the perfect FINAL rehearsal before festival. If COVID 19 lets us have the festival…"

View Details

Passing the Torch of Representation In this fourth and final installment of the first Choralosophy Miniseries, Dr. Christopher Harris and I discuss the potential influence of representation on the choral profession and the next generation of students. However, the conversations was quite wide ranging allow us to touch on other topics like cultural influences on … Continue reading "Episode 29: Part 4 of “Choral Music: A HUMAN Art Form” with Christopher Harris"

View Details

Going on the Equity Journey In this part of the February series, I invited my friend Jazz Rucker into the studio to discuss a term that has rocketed to the top of education vernacular in recent years. “Equity” is frequently confused with “equality,” but has some very important qualitative differences. Jazz is currently serving as … Continue reading "Episode 29: Part 3 of “Choral Music: A HUMAN Art Form” with Jazz Rucker"

View Details

“Carving out a place for a Girl Conductor.” In this episode Maria Ellis and I discuss the practical aspects of recruiting across cultural lines for our choirs through the telling of her own story. Maria grew up not knowing that a career as a conductor was possible for her, but through a big dream and … Continue reading "Episode 29: Part 2 of “Choral Music: A HUMAN art Form” with Maria Ellis"

View Details

“Why does representation in Choral music MATTER?” Stay tuned throughout February for my first ever Podcast mini series! Choral Music: A Human Art Form Part 1: Why does representation in Choral Music matter?In this first installment, I address the question “Why Does Representation in Classical Music matter?” (or choral music) My answer to this question, … Continue reading "Episode 29: Part 1 of “Choral Music: A HUMAN art Form”"

View Details

This is a FASCINATING discussion with Donald Brinegar, author of the recently published “Pitch Perfect: a Theory and Practice of Choral Intonation.” Donald and I discuss the sometimes misunderstood concepts related to intonation and what makes something “in tune” or “out of tune.” Is it possible that we our education related to this topic has … Continue reading "Episode 28: Can Pitches be Perfect?"

View Details

Seven important concepts to master to keep your choir moving forward for an ENTIRE academic year. Sometimes we fall into ruts. Sometimes the singers do… Ultimately, both scenarios are bad and are OUR fault as the director. I have had wildly successful school years and seasons with churches and pro choir. And some that fell … Continue reading "Episode 27: Reboot, Restart and Revitalize"

View Details

In this episode I asked the expert, Dr. Amanda Quist to chat with me about teaching the concept of vowels, resonance and intonation. Is it possible to measure a vowel scientifically? Or is the purity of a vowel subject to the opinion of the conductor? We discuss what I believe to be a new frontier … Continue reading "Episode 26: The Art (or Science?) of Teaching the Vowel with Amanda Quist"

View Details

In this episode, Beth and I chat with our mutual friend, Dr. Jaclyn Johnson about her choice to step away from the choral classroom and her University teaching post to go to Brazil to teach Yoga. We discuss her goals in embarking on this adventure, and how she is using this time away to reboot … Continue reading "Episode 25: Loving by Letting Go with Jaclyn Johnson"

View Details

“We live in a time where directing choirs for a living is possible. In the broad scope of human history, THAT alone is an amazing luxury.” Choralosophy.com I believe that an underlying philosophy is a necessity for each successful professional. Some call this a “why statement.” Have you found your “why?” Is it the same … Continue reading "Episode 24: Thanksgiving-Finding your “Why” by Practicing Gratitude"

View Details

I am beyond excited to show you an amazing tool that I use to introduce my students to the concept of vowels, resonance and formants! And, by extension, the concept of blend. This is a passion for me in the classroom. I love watching the students eyes and ears come alive to the power of … Continue reading "Bonus: Teaching Vowels, Blend and Resonance with 21st Century Tools"

View Details

In this episode, I have the privilege of chatting with Charles Anthony Silvestri, noted lyricist, about the artistic magic that is possible when music and text are fused. He believes that this intersection is what makes our beloved art form special, and I whole heartedly agree. I pick his brain about his process from idea … Continue reading "Episode 23: Words, Music and Art with Charles Anthony Silvestri"

View Details

For this episode, I sat down (twice… long story) with Paul Smith, co-founder and CEO of VOCES8 and the VOCES8 Foundation while he was in Kansas City. We had a lot of great conversations about the state of music education in the U.K. and the U.S. and the role of VOCES8 and other performing ensembles … Continue reading "Episode 22: The VOCES8 Philosophy with Paul Smith"

View Details

Is choir a real class? Can the group goals be balanced with the individual academic accountability that we owe to our students? I think the answer to all of this is yes. You can grade your students INDIVIDUALLY in sight singing to ensure that no one falls through the cracks, and stick to a rehearsal … Continue reading "Episode 21: Anyone can get an A in Choir…"

View Details

One of the hottest topics of discussion online in the last few weeks in the choral world has been the topic of cultural appropriation. Who should be allowed to perform, compose or arrange which kinds of music? Where do we draw the line? Does intent matter? What should a conductor do if they are worried … Continue reading "Episode 20: Choral Appropriation? Or Cultural Sharing with Brandon Boyd"

View Details

I feel like this episode might be PHILOSOPHICALLY the most important episode I have published to date. Eric and I pick up right where I left off in Episode 18 when I claimed that students should lose the net when learning to sight read. The psychological principal at play is Nassim Taleb’s coined term, “Anti-Fragility” … Continue reading "Episode 19: Seeking Anti-Fragility in the Choral Rehearsal with Eric Barnum"

View Details

Why you CAN and SHOULD stop playing notes and making tracks for kids tomorrow. In this episode I will take you through a topic that I believe should be CENTRAL to all of our philosophies as choral educators. Should I be the high priest in my classroom or the shepherd? The high priest is the … Continue reading "Episode 18: Ripping off the bandaid"

View Details

In this episode Marques and I discuss importance of the music of black composers that do NOT fit into categories of idiomatically black music like Gospel, Jazz and Spirituals. The conversation ranges from the social aspects at play in spreading the word about this music, all the way to what it’s like to be minority … Continue reading "Episode 17: Beyond Elijah Rock with Dr. Marques Garrett"

View Details

In this episode, I had a blast chatting with Beth Philemon of the Choir Baton Podcast and Instagram Takeover account about MANY concepts related to the business of the choral profession. We hit scarcity mentality and the fixed pie fallacy of economics all the way to being more mindful of the “products” we create with … Continue reading "Episode 16: Growing the Choral Pie with Beth Philemon"

View Details

I have noticed in the 6 months I have been doing this show that there is a hunger for questioning and exploring choral and educational topics at a philosophical level, about asking why, offering answers, and dialogue. We don’t get much of this at conventions, we get presentations. We get it a bit in college, … Continue reading "Episode 15: Making Your Choir Thoughts Public with Adam Paltrowitz"

View Details

In this episode, I joined William Baker and Patrick Neas of the Choral Conversations Podcast to discuss a variety of topics including the distinctions and practices that set the amateur choral ensemble apart from the professional ensemble, and in what ways they are similar. Is a professional ensemble “better” than an amateur one? Are they … Continue reading "Episode 14: The Divide Between Pro and Amateur Choirs with William Baker and Patrick Neas."

View Details

A special JOINT production of the Kantorei Summer Choral Institute and the Choralosophy podcast that took place on June 19th, 2019. Each of the guests were in Kansas City working with the 120 regional young singers that participate in a one of a kind week of intense rehearsals, collaboration with adult professional educators and performers, … Continue reading "Special Edition: Summer Institute Panel Discussion"

View Details

In this episode I dig deeper with Chris Maunu on his “choiral” blog called “Choral Elitism” which has been a frequent conversation starter on choral conversation pages. I identified with his article very deeply, and felt the need to talk to Chris more about this topic. My hope is to use this show to help … Continue reading "Episode 13: Choral Snobbery? with Chris Maunu"

View Details

In this episode we parse our way through a Choral Journal Article from December of 2018 called “What is Written on our Choral Welcome Mats” with the author, Dr. John Perkins of Butler University. In the article, Dr. Perkins seeks to tie the tendency toward valuing a performance standard and competition in choral culture to … Continue reading "Episode 12: Does the Performance Goal of Most Choirs Lead to Exclusion? With John Perkins"

View Details

In this episode I sit down with the biggest star in the Choral World right now. Dr. Jason Max Ferdinand of the famed Aeolians, fresh off their WORLD changing performance at the ACDA National performance in Kansas City this spring. Our topics are wide ranging including his upbringing in the Caribbean and early life, his … Continue reading "Episode 11: Breaking Down Barriers with Jason Max Ferdinand"

View Details

Is it possible that removing gendered language from our choral rehearsals solves the problem of inclusion? Is it possible that it DOESN’T solve the problem? Is there room for nuance in the conversation? This week, I open up a dialogue with Theo Wren, a freelance musician, multi-instrumentalist, choral singer and Trans Baritone. So far on … Continue reading "Episode 10: A Voice in Transition with Theo Wren"

View Details

Greetings, friends and colleagues. As Choral Directors, we stand in front of large diverse groups of people from different backgrounds, races and religions. With that comes a beautiful diversity of opinion. For people in our position, we should be a beacon of peace and reconciliation in a world coming apart at the seams. Seem dramatic? … Continue reading "Episode 9: How Should Choralosophers Handle Contentious Choral Topics?"

View Details

When we are fortunate enough to get our students to take voice lessons, what do we want them to learn? What is best for them? What is best for our choirs? Are all voice lessons the same? We have so many questions... and answers for those questions! We invite you to listen and join the conversation! As always, each episode is just a conversation STARTER, so join the conversation on Facebook in the Choralosophers group!

View Details

What can we learn from the philosophies of Leonardo on Art and Music? Does he have anything to say to us in the 21st Century? The host discusses da Vinci’s ideas sourced from “Thoughts on Art and Life” by the great artist himself, then is joined by Jocelyn Hagen to discuss her new multi-media symphony … Continue reading "Episode 7: The Notebooks of Leonardo Da Vinci with Jocelyn Hagen"

View Details

“If you are there for the music, you’re in the wrong profession. It has to be student centered, or you will burn out.” Elisa Janson Jones specializes in helping music educators build, grow, and manage thriving school music programs. With an MBA alongside her degree in music, she is also a coach and consultant to … Continue reading "Episode 6: Avoiding Burnout and Other Life Hacks. Elisa Janson Jones"

The Music Educator's Guide to Thrive: The Practical Guide for Creating the Lifestyle You Want and the Career You Love

View Details

In this episode I share a small part of my “suck list” as well as my “not suck” list to demonstrate the healthy balance we all must have between acknowledging our struggles and giving ourselves credit where credit is due. I will also offer a short reflection on the National ACDA Convention including WHY I … Continue reading "Episode 5: What I Suck At"

View Details

In the second part of this episode, I look to Anthony Maglione for insight into this topic from the collegiate perspective. Conductor/Composer/Tenor Anthony J. Maglione is a graduate of Westminster Choir College of Rider University, East Carolina University, and the University of California, Los Angeles. He is the Director of Choral Studies at William Jewell … Continue reading "Episode 4: Part 2. Seeing the Trees (There is no forest) with Tony Maglione"

View Details

In this episode I make the shocking claim that there is no such thing as a choir. Then I bring on Stephen Rew for a discussion about connecting with students on an individual level. Stephen Rew holds his Bachelors and Masters of Music Education from the Conservatory of Music and Dance at the University of … Continue reading "Episode 4. Part 1. Seeing the Trees (There is no forest) with Stephen Rew"

View Details

Bradley Ellingboe In this episode, I sit down with noted conductor and composer, Bradley Ellingboe to discuss what attributes make a great conductor. A Practical Guide to Choral Conducting published by Kjos Music Bradley Ellingboe has led a wide-ranging career in the world of singing, including accomplishments as a choral conductor, soloist, composer, scholar and teacher. … Continue reading "Episode 3: What’s in a Gesture? Bradley Ellingboe"

View Details

In the second part of this episode, I chat with composer Dale Trumbore about how we, as performers and composers, can tell our story in an authentic and vulnerable way.

Dale’s Essay discussed in episode

Dale Trumbore Dale Trumbore is a Los Angeles-based composer and writer whose music has been praised by the New York Times for its “soaring melodies and beguiling harmonies.” Trumbore’s compositions have been performed widely in the U.S. and internationally by ensembles including the American Contemporary Music Ensemble (ACME), Los Angeles Master Chorale, Los Angeles Children’s Chorus, Modesto Symphony, Neave Trio, Pacific Chorale, Pasadena Symphony, The Singers – Minnesota Choral Artists, and VocalEssence.

Trumbore is Composer in Residence for Choral Chameleon and was previously Composer in Residence for Nova Vocal Ensemble. She has been an Artist in Residence at Brush Creek Foundation for the Arts, Copland House, Dorland Mountain Arts Colony, the Helene Wurlitzer Foundation of New Mexico, and Willapa Bay AiR.

Receive 10% off your order at Sight Reading Factory by entering Choralosophy at Checkout! How to Go On, Choral Arts Initiative’s album of Trumbore’s choral works, debuted at #6 on Billboard’s Traditional Classical Chart. Choral Arts Northwest, The Esoterics, Helix Collective, New York Virtuoso Singers, and soprano Gillian Hollis have also commercially recorded works by Trumbore. Her music is published through Boosey & Hawkes, G. Schirmer, and MusicSpoke.

As a composer who works frequently with words, Trumbore is passionate about setting to music poems, prose and found text by living writers. She has written extensively about overcoming creative blocks and establishing a career in music in essays for 21CM, Cantate Magazine, the Center for New Music, MusicSpoke, and NewMusicBox. She is currently at work on her first book, Staying Composed.

Trumbore holds a dual degree in Music Composition and English from the University of Maryland and a Master of Music degree in Composition from the University of Southern California. A New Jersey native, Trumbore lives in the Eagle Rock neighborhood of L.A. with her fiancé and their two cats.

Find the show on your favorite Podcast Platform!

How To Go On: The Choral Works Of Dale Trumbore

View Details

How do we “sell” our profession? How do we tell the story of what we do so that non-musicians can understand? We all know our “why,” now let’s learn how to share that with the world! In this episode I will discuss Music Education Advocacy with Dr. Elise Hepworth.

Dr. Elise Hepworth Dr. Elise Hepworth is associate professor and Director of Choral Activities and Music Education at Missouri Western State University. This is her fourth year as an alto in Kantorei of Kansas City, and is the founding director of the Robidoux Chorale, a semi-professional chamber ensemble in Saint Joseph.

and Music Education at Missouri Western State University. This is her fourth year as an alto in Kantorei of Kansas City, and is the founding director of the Robidoux Chorale, a semi-professional chamber ensemble in Saint Joseph.

Enter code Choralosophy for 10% off at www.ryanmain.com !! Dr. Hepworth was recently awarded the Foundation for Teaching Excellence by Missouri Western State University, the Mayor’s Award for Arts Educator of the Year and the Shine On Award for the community of Saint Joseph, and the MCDA Northwest District Outstanding Director for the year 2016. She is an avid performer and presenter at state, national, and international conventions.

Enter code Choralosophy for 10% off at www.sightreadingfactory.com Links mentioned in the podcast
https://mmea.net/ (click on Advocacy Network Form) to join the Advocacy Networkhttps://nafme.org/advocacy/what-you-can-do/

Find the show on your Favorite Platform!

View Details

At times, we, as working professionals, struggle to maintain our health and balance. As a result, our happiness suffers. In this episode, I will share my thoughts on this as well as get a reality check from my wife, Beth, on whether or not I am “balanced.”

The Inaugural episode of the Choralosophy Podcast was designed to let you know where I am coming from. A little bit about what makes me me. I discuss one of the original reasons for starting this show: the belief that the ability to ground our work in philosophy and a solid “why” is critical for avoiding burnout and despair in our work lives, and lives in general. Since then, the show has taken me on MANY wild rides. Please enjoy this flashback.

Beth Munce Beth Kakacek-Munce, a coloratura soprano, is renowned for her “beautifully effortless” and “stunning” singing. Beth is passionate about the choral arts and actively sings in several professional choral ensembles and as a featured soloist for chamber works. Beth has sung with Kantorei of Kansas City since its inception in 2009 and has been a featured soloist on Kantorei’s albums “To Bethlehem,” and “Music and Sweet Poetry,” recorded by the UK-based label, Resonus Classics.

Enter Choralosophy at check out to receive a 10% discount at Sightreading Factory! Beth has also been a member of the Grammy-award winning Kansas City Chorale and was fortunate to add her voice to the recording of “The Sacred Works of Joseph Reinberger” which was nominated for two Grammy Awards. Beth was also a founding member of the nationally renowned Early Music Ensemble, Armonia, under the direction of Dr. Ryan Board. Beth was consistently a featured soloist with Armonia and was featured at the Piccolo-Spoleto Festival in 2006 and 2007 and The National ACDA convention in 2007. Recent projects Beth has enjoyed lending her voice to include performing the production of the Medieval musical play of “Daniel” under the direction of Anne Azema, a collaboration with Boston Camerata and KC’s Te Deum Antiqua. Beth has also recently performed the soprano solos for Handel’s Dixit Dominus under the baton of Dr. Jacob Narverud, the soprano solos for The Biber Requiem under the direction of Matthew Shepard as well as the soprano solos for Handel’s Messiah under the direction of Dr. William Baker. Beth also frequently lends her voice to professional demo recording projects.

Enter Choralosophy at check out to receive a 10% discount at RyanMain.com Beth completed her Master of Music Degree in Vocal Performance at the Conservatory of Music at UMKC in 2006 under the tutelage of Dr. Rebecca Sherburn and Dr. Scott Anderson. Prior to that Beth earned her undergraduate degree from Idaho State University. Beth has enjoyed performing operatic roles such as The Doll” from Les Contes d’Hoffman, Papagena from Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte, Zerlina from Mozart’s Don Giovanni and Guinone from Monteverdi’s “Il Ritorno d’Ulisse in Patria” and “first witch” from Purcell’s Dido and Aneas. Beth is a passionate voice teacher and has an active voice studio of 34 students. Beth and her husband Chris are the proud parents of Clara and Colin, their biggest pride and joy in life.

Link to post on FB and Twitter about Happiness and Teen suicide so you can see them in their contexts or share them if you there are people that you think need to see them.

Find the show on your favorite podcast providers!

View Details

Pre-Production

Also available on Spotify, iTunes, Google Play and Youtube

Link to Choralosophers Closed Group!

View Details

A brief introduction of my new show launching February 21st. Includes a preview of the first few episodes Chris Munce

Choralosophy: Recent Episodes

Christopher M Munce