Take Note: Recent Episodes
PMEA
From the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association, PMEA's Take Note will talk about the good things happening in music education with a special focus on Pennsylvania music education.
Music for All's Advocacy in Action Program is a way to get your program recognized but also learn from music education programs doing great things across the country. We're joined by James Stephens, Music for All's Senior Director of Education and Advocacy and Advocacy in Action award winner, Hayley Winslow, from Saint George, Utah to talk about the program and how you can get involved.
Learn more at advocacy.musicforall.org
We dive into Modern Band and learn about what it is and how it's being implemented into music education programs. Joining us to talk about Modern Band is Dr. Cassandra Eisenreich, Dr. Warren Gramm, and Henry Pearlberg.
Kathy Campbell is a Professor of Music at Seton Hill University and a new member of the PMEA Hall of Fame. Kathy joins us to talk about her career as she is about to begin her retirement.
Deke Sharon is known as "The Father of Contemporary A Cappella" and has produced albums for groups like Straight No Chaser. He's also vocally produced five seasons of The Sing Off for NBC. He was arranger, on-site music director and vocal producer for all three of Universal’s hit films in the Pitch Perfect franchise. Deke joins us to talk about Contemporary A Cappella and how you can incorporate it into your classroom.
We are talking with Dave Cree. Dave was PMEA President from 1994-1996 and talks with us about his teaching career, work with PMEA, and his current work with the Penn State Blue Band.
(Apologies for the slight audio issues.)
We're talking with the two candidates for PMEA President-Elect - Emily Brumbaugh and Rebecca Sensor.
PMEA members will be able to vote for this postion and others beginning on April 15th.
We continue to get ready for the 2024 PMEA All-State Festival by talking with the conductors of all six All-State ensembles. Today we talk with Scott Laird, All-State Orchestra Conductor and Dr. Chris Jackson, All-State Chorus Conductor. Learn about the musical programs and what student participants can expect.
We're joined by Dr. Kendra Ross to talk about her career as an artist, educator, and cultural worker. She talks with us about her story, her music, and how she works for the greater good of our world.
We continue to get ready for the 2024 PMEA All-State Festival by talking with the conductors of all six All-State ensembles. Today we talk with Dr. Andrea Strauss, All-State Wind Ensemble Conductor and Alfred Watkins, All-State Concert Band Conductor. Learn about the musical programs and what student participants can expect.
We're joined by Marissa Guarriello who is the Director of Programming for Music at ArtsQuest. ArtsQuest is located in Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley. Marissa talks with us about some new programming ArtsQuest is offering for music students and music educators.
We start to gear up for the 2024 PMEA All-State Festival by talking with the conductors of all six All-State ensembles. Today we talk with Rob Dietz, All-State Contemporary A Cappella Ensemble Conductor and Dr. Jason Kush, All-State Jazz Ensemble Conductor. Learn about the musical programs and what student participants can expect.
Len Lavelle is the band director at North Hills High School just outside of Pittsburgh. He joins us to talk about SLAM - the Servant Leadership Association for Music. Learn how this group could help you explore how to enhance the culture in your music program.
Pennsylvania is now a part of the national Arts Education Data Project. We explore what that means with Dave Deitz, Fine Arts Education Consultant at the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Learn how you can access the data and put it to good use.
We are so proud of Pennsylvania's own West Chester University Marching Band having been selected to perform in the 2024 Tournament of Rose Parade in Pasadena, California.
We're talking with the band's director and students as they prepare for their performance of a lifetime that's only a few weeks away.
We're talking to the director and a member of the visual staff of this year's Bands of America Grand National Champion, Avon High School about their process, their season, and so much more. Oh, and they're married too, so we get to hear about that dynamic as well.
Plus, we have a special co-host - Courtney Coffey from Simply Colorguard.
Dr. Elliot Cleveland is the founder of Marching Health and he joins us to talk about the importance of paying attention to health and fitness in the marching arts and he provides some free resources.
Jazz singer/songwriter Ann Hampton Callaway joins us to talk about her new album, Finding Beauty, Originals Volume 1. She also provides advice for aspiring vocalists and music educators.
Amanda Karhuse is the Assistant Executive Director for Advocacy and Public Policy at the National Association for Music Education (NAfME). She joins us to talk about what's currently happening in Washington, D.C. and how that impacts policy related to music education.
We're talking with Kate Landis, a music educator in the Hanover Public School District. She shares how she grew her marching band from 27 members to 95 in just four years. Plus, she has suggestion for how to empower student leaders.
We're joined by NAfME President-Elect, Deb Confredo to learn about the new Music Teacher Profession Initiative and how you can get involved.
Emily Bovan from UniSound in Western Pennsylvania joins us to tell us what UniSound is and we learn about their Black Teaching Artist-in-Residence Program.
We talk with Pennsylvania's new Secretary of Education, Dr. Khalid Mumin, about current issues in education, his experience in music, and his message to educators.
In this jam packed episode, we recap the 2023 PMEA Day of Service, catch up with music education advocate Miss Pennsylvania Miranda Moore, and talk with PMEA Executive Director Abi Young and PMEA Executive Director Emerita Margaret Bauer.
James Stephens from Music for All joins us to talk about programs Music for All offers - particularly Advocacy in Action. Learn how music educators and students can get involved in the many programs they offer.
Sam McMullan is a student at Slippery Rock University. He makes his own music - but isn't a music major. We'll learn about him and how students like him can teach music educators some important lessons.
We're joined by Ashley Zilka from WTAE-TV and Erica Mokay from KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh to talk about their participation in music programs while they were in school and how that has impacted their careers in television news.
We're joined by Courtney Coffey, the founder and CEO of Simply Colorguard. She talks with us about the colorguard activity, www.simplycolorguard.com, and how it can be a resource for anyone in the colorguard activity including band directors.
www.simplycolorguard.com
www.courtneycoffey.com
www.tiktok.com/@courtneyacoffey
www.youtube.com/@CourtneyACoffey
Associate Professor of Music and Director of Bands at Slippery Rock University, Dr. Jonathan Helmick, joins us to talk all things music education and a new initiative at Slippery Rock to explore a diverse selection of wind band music.
We talked with Maria A. Ellis, known as Girl Conductor, about the current state of music education and we preview what she'll be talking about during the 2023 PMEA Conference.
We continue to gear up for the 2023 PMEA All-State Festival by talking with the conductors of all six All-State ensembles. Today we talk with Joe Boga, All-State Jazz Ensemble Conductor and Charlie Masters, All-State Vocal Jazz Conductor. Learn about the musical programs and what student participants can expect.
We continue to gear up for the 2023 PMEA All-State Festival by talking with the conductors of all six All-State ensembles. Today we talk with Dr. David Romines, All-State Concert Band Conductor and Dr. Patricia Cornett, All-State Wind Ensemble Conductor. Learn about the musical programs and what student participants can expect.
We continue to gear up for the 2023 PMEA All-State Festival by talking with the conductors of all six All-State ensembles. Today we talk with Dr. Amanda Quist, All-State Chorus Conductor and Dr. Timothy Dixon, All-State Orchestra Conductor. Learn about the musical programs and what student participants can expect.
We're joined by Cameron Jenkins the Founder of Full Potential Leadership. Cameron provides music educators with lots of tips, trick, and new ways of thinking about music education. Cameron will also be one of the keynote speakers at the 2023 PMEA In-Service Conference so this is a great preview for conference attendees!
On this edition of Take Note, we talk with Kara LaMoure. Kara is a member of The Breaking Winds Bassoon Quartet and the WindSync Wind Quintet. We talk about her life as a musician and how schools can incorporate small ensembles into what they do to improve student learning and all music ensembles.
One of America's greatest traditions is the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. We talk with the Creative Producer of the parade, Wesley Whatley, about the parade and what a marching band experience is when they're a part of this nearly 100 year old event.
On this edition of Take Note, we're taking a look at the intersection of music and dance - specifically tap dance. Nora Clark is the founder of Tap That Brass and she joins us to tell us what that is and gives some ideas for how music teachers can incorporate movement into their teaching.
A new year means we're getting closer to the 2023 PMEA All-State Festival. Mary Lynne Peters, PMEA All-State Festival Coordinator, joins us to preview what we can expect this year and we learn more about her. This is a great episode for directors and students that will be part of the 2023 All-State Festival experience!
PMEA's Crescendo Student Conference will take place on January 31, 2023. We're joined by PMEA Executive Director, Abi Young, and Rebecca Sensor, music educator in the Dubois Area School District, to talk about what Crescendo is and why middle and high school students should attend.
PMEA member, Dr. Jeffrey Gemmell, teaches at Millersville University. He joins us to talk about his area of research and a product of that research - the Lititz Moravian Collegium Musicum.
We're profiling another PMEA member doing amazing things. Chad Toporski talks with us about his career, his school, his military service, and he shares some advice for young music educators.
Marcia Neel joins us to discuss the current state of music education and tips and tricks you can use starting today!
We're joined by Tom Hiravi, a PMEA member in the Danville Area School District. Tom talks to us about proven advocacy strategies that have worked in his program and in other programs in his area. You'll find some great takeaways from Tom and learn just how easy it can be to get funding to get instruments in the hands of kids like he did!
We're joined by Bailey Karst. Bailey is a music education major at West Chester University and, in 2022, was one of the drum majors for Pennsylvania based drum corps, The Cadets. She talks with us about her drum corps career, what it's like to be a drum major, and how she plans to take her experiences with The Cadets into her career.
We talk with PMEA member, Shawn Campopiano, about his summer vacation in which he donated a liver to a former music instructor of his, Mark Morningstar. Shawn's story and how he is teaching his high school band while recovering proves to be an inspiration for all teachers but especially music teachers.
Becky Sensor teaches in the DuBois Area School District. She joins us to talk about where to find funding for your music education program. She details just how easy it really is and provides many tips. You'll hear of her innovative successes in finding funding and how she keeps doing it!
We're joined by Pennsylvania's own Scott Sheehan who is a music educator in the Hollidaysburg Area School District. He has also just taken over as president of NAfME for the next two years, Scott joins us to talk about plans for his presidency and his views on some big issues in music education.
Drum Corps International CEO, Dan Acheson joins us to talk about DCI's 50th Anniversary year and to talk about DCI East, held in Allentown, PA each year. You'll want to learn about the things DCI is planning for this summer and where you can find a show in Pennsylvania.
We're talking with actor, model, and empowerment coach - Courtney Coffey. Courtney shares her journey in the marching arts world and advice for directors and instructors on how they can practice mindfulness with their students and improve their programs at the same time.
We're talking with First Lt. Darren Lin who is the Assistant Director of "The President's Own" United State Marine Band. Darren is a Pennsylvania product that graduated from Hershey High School and participated in PMEA events. He tells us about his life in music, including his participation in PMEA events, and what it is like being part of "The President's Own."
We're joined by retired PMEA member, Jennifer Schoener, to talk about her career in music education and the exciting work and programs she is involved with as the Director of Creative Educational Programming at the Upper Darby Arts and Education Foundation.
We're joined by Miss Pennsylvania Candidate, Miranda Moore. Miranda has partnered with PMEA to advocate for music education and raise awareness of music education through her position as a Miss Pennsylvania Candidate. We learn about how music has impacted her life and why music is part of her platform.
We're talking with the 2022 PMEA Outstanding Superintendent, Dr. Robert Gildea from the Hollidaysburg Area School District. He talks with us about the music program in Hollidaysburg and his advice for superintendents across the state on how to support a successful music program.
Pennsylvania Secretary of Education Noe Ortega joins us to talk about music education, his experiences with the arts, and his message to music and arts educators.
Pennsylvania State Senator Carolyn Comitta joins us to talk about music education, her experiences with the arts, and ways to effectively advocate for music and arts education.
Jerome Collins is a Pennsylvania native and a product of PMEA. He's gone on to great things in music, including being a member of the acapella group, Straight No Chaser. He joins us to discuss his PMEA experiences and some behind the scenes information about Straight No Chaser.
We continue to gear up for the 2022 PMEA All-State Festival by talking with the conductors of all six All-State ensembles. Today we talk with Brian McCarthy, All-State Jazz Ensemble Conductor and Elizabeth Radigonda, All-State Vocal Jazz Conductor. Learn about the musical programs and what student participants can expect.
On this special edition of PMEA's Take Note podcast, we talk to Brett Keith and Jason Lerew - the candidates for PMEA President-Elect.
Monica Ellis is a native of Pittsburgh, PA and one of the founding members of the GRAMMY nominated, Imani Winds. She joins us to talk about Imani Winds, chamber ensembles in general, and her scholastic musical journey.
We continue to gear up for the 2022 PMEA All-State Festival by talking with the conductors of all six All-State ensembles. Today we talk with Dr. Paula Crider, All-State Wind Ensemble Conductor and Jason Seber, All-State Orchestra Conductor. Learn about the musical programs and what student participants can expect.
NAMM President and CEO, Joe Lamond, joins us to talk about the free Believe in Music event beginning on January 20th. We discuss the great content available for anyone with a passion for music - especially music educators. We also talk about what NAMM offers for music educators and what we can expect from NAMM in the coming year. We hope you enjoy our chat with one of the most valuable and influential members of the music industry.
We're gearing up for the 2022 PMEA All-State Festival by talking with the conductors of all six All-State ensembles. We start today with Dr. Jonathan Helmick, All-State Concert Band Conductor and Dr. Amelia Garbisch, All-State Chorus Conductor. Learn about the musical programs and what student participants can expect.
Dr. William Behre is the president at Slippery Rock University. He joins us to talk about the value of music programs on a university campus and the future of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.
Stanford Thompson is the founder and executive director of Play On Philly. He joins us to talk about Play On Philly but also his thoughts on power shifting in American orchestras.
Dr. Stacy Potter is the policy and advocacy chair for the Pennsylvania Art Education Association. She joins us to talk about the role of all arts programs in schools and talks about the role of Social Emotional Learning in the arts and the entire school community.
Alfred Watkins is the retired band director from Lassiter High School in Marietta, Georgia. He joins us to talk about his impressive career and the Minority Band Directors National Association which he co-founded. He shares lots of words of wisdom and observations that are valuable for any music teacher to hear.
Laurie Schell from Elevate Arts Ed joins us to talk about things arts educators can be doing now to impact their programs including strategic planning and advocating. She also talks with us about a new project she's working on that will impact arts education and the greater arts community.
We're talking about string education with Dr. Jeffrey Tedford, music department chair at Grove City College and current president of the Pennsylvania Delaware String Teachers Association, and Lynn Tuttle, Executive Director and CEO of the American String Teacher Association. We discuss the state of string education and what educators can look forward to from PADESTA and ASTA.
The fall means marching band and we're talking about the Bands of America season with Tim Hinton from Marching Arts Education. We're also talking with Tim Daniels, Director of Bands at Norwin High School, about Norwin's return to Bands of America Grand Nationals. Join us for a fun look into marching band preparations for national events like Grand Nationals.
Chiho Feindler is the Senior Director of Programs and Policy at the Save The Music Foundation. She joins us to talk about the work of Save The Music and free resources that are available for all music educators.
We're joined by Joel Menchey, President and Owner of Menchey Music Service, and current Chair of NAMM, to talk about Menchey Music, recruitment and retention, his new role at NAMM, and more.
A product of the PMEA festival system, Adam Brock, details that experience and how it shaped his life in his new book "My Song To Sing." Adam joins us to discuss the book, his experiences in PMEA events, and his advice for students considering participating in PMEA events.
We're talking about a new event for PMEA - a Day of Service. We'll talk about what that is, hear from participants and learn about the Reading Musical Foundation - the group PMEA helped during the Day of Service. We recommend you visit www.pmea.net/takenote to watch this episode of Take Note so you can see video from the Day of Service!
We're talking with newly retired PMEA member, Tina Bennett, about real life advocacy actions she had to take when the program she built over the course of her career was threatened and how she rallied to keep the program going. She shares strategies anyone can use.
We're talking about the 2021 Drum Corps International season and hearing stories from a career in television and drum corps with Drum Corps International icon Steve Rondinaro.
We're talking with Debbie Chrisman from the Perkiomen Valley School District and Sue Basalik from the Methacton School District about the value of professional development and what to expect at the year's PMEA Summer Conference happening virtually July 21-23.
We're talking with Julie Duty, the founder and executive director of United Sound. Learn about the United Sound program and how you can implement it in your school.
We're talking with the organizers of Make Music Philadelphia and Make Music Pittsburgh about the global celebration of making music known as Make Music Day which happens on June 21st!
We're talking with Indiana University of Pennsylvania's Dr. Jason Worzbyt about a wide variety of topics including the list he's collected of Pennsylvania composers.
On this edition of Take Note, we learn about a new book, "A History of Pittsburgh Jazz", co-authored by retired music educator Karen Cole. The book tells the story of jazz in Pittsburgh and about the many notable names in jazz that are Pittsburgh products.
April is the time of year for The PMEA Annual Conference and All-State Festival. Hear how those two events are happening virtually this year and hear about PMEA's newest program - the Crescendo Student Conference. PMEA President Phil Stattel and PMEA Professional Development Chair Debbie Chrisman join Take Note to discuss everything to expect during this year's virtual event!
March is Music in Our Schools Month and traditionally the month PMEA visits Harrisburg to advocate for music education. While we can't be in Harrisburg in person this year, we are still able to advocate for music education virtually. We're joined by PA Representative Eddie Day Pashinski to talk about advocating for music education and we tell you how you can join our advocacy efforts this month on this special edition of Take Note.
Chris Martin is the CEO of Pennsylvania's C.F. Martin & Co. which is known as one of the world's greatest guitar manufacturers. We talk to Chris about the guitar business, his role with NAMM, and music education advocacy.
Becky and Joe Sensor are music educators at Dubois Area Middle School. We talk to them about teaching during a pandemic and what it's like to be married to another music teacher that works in the same building.
Dr. Marci Major is the Founder and Director of Music Service Learning. She joins Take Note to talk about this new organization and how others can get involved. Learn more at www.musicservicelearning.org
Phil Stattel, PMEA President and Tina Bennett, PMEA Immediate Past President join Take Note to talk about how they've handled the past year in their music classrooms and how PMEA has navigated the pandemic as well.
Byron Stripling was named as the Principal Pops Conductor of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra in early 2020. We talk to Stripling about his career, his plans for the Pops, music education, and how music and the arts play into our current world.