Have a guest recommendation? Let us know! In our final episode of Season 2, we are beyond thrilled to have Brenda Justice, former choir director at Rouse High School, as our final guest - Christian's high school choir director! Brenda shares her experience in creating a culture that made a difference in the lives of countless students, as well as the true purpose of any educator: helping a student feel seen and at home. Download the show notes for this episode HERE. Follow our official Instag...
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Have a guest recommendation? Let us know! In our final episode of Season 2, we are beyond thrilled to have Brenda Justice, former choir director at Rouse High School, as our final guest - Christian's high school choir director! Brenda shares her experience in creating a culture that made a difference in the lives of countless students, as well as the true purpose of any educator: helping a student feel seen and at home. Download the show notes for this episode HERE. Follow our official Instag...
Have a guest recommendation? Let us know! In our final episode of Season 2, we are beyond thrilled to have Brenda Justice, former choir director at Rouse High School, as our final guest - Christian's high school choir director! Brenda shares her experience in creating a culture that made a difference in the lives of countless students, as well as the true purpose of any educator: helping a student feel seen and at home. Download the show notes for this episode HERE. Follow our official Instag...
Have a guest recommendation? Let us know! In this episode, Kara tells us about the growth she has experienced in the past year as an educator. One of the biggest areas has been a mindset-shift in focusing on what you need to grow, and not what others think! Browse Kara's TPT Store! Follow our official Instagram page and become a part of the community! Want a free piece of music for your ensemble to perform? Join Christian's mailing list! https://www.christianfortnermusic.com/mailings
Have a guest recommendation? Let us know! In this episode, Cody Hutcheson, Composer and Assistant Professor of Piano at Howard Payne University, joins us to discuss the variety of experiences he has had in the music profession and how each of them have benefited his understanding of music. This is also a great discussion about how each of us should work to diversify our own skillsets in music! Download the show notes for this episode HERE. Connect with Cody! Facebook: https://www.facebo...
Have a guest recommendation? Let us know! In this episode, Dr. Francis Cathlina, Director of Choral Activities at the University of Memphis, joins us to discuss multiple techniques for improving your choir's tone and the importance of understanding the physical workings of your instrument - whether it's your voice or something else! Download the show notes for this episode HERE. Connect with Dr. Cathlina! Website: https://www.franciscathlina.com/ Email: franciscathlina@gmail.com Your Voice: ...
Have a guest recommendation? Let us know! In our first-ever "solo" episode, Christian explains the process of commissioning composers - having a composer write a brand new piece of music for your ensemble to premiere to the world! He also talks about how commissioning can be an educational experience for students, and the different ways composers try to make the experience as financial affordable as possible. Download the show notes for this episode HERE. Want to commission Christian? Book a ...
Have a guest recommendation? Let us know! Our first guest of 2025 is Mr. Bryce Gage, choir director at Marble Falls High School! Having worked at a 4A program for many years now, Bryce gives us all the examples of what he did to grow what was a tiny choral program into a group that is performing at TMEA this year! He also emphasizes the importance of developing strong musical tone in ANY ensemble, and how it contributed to the strength of his group. Download the show notes for this episode H...
Have a guest recommendation? Let us know! Mrs. Diane Harper joins us on the podcast to talk about her experience in the classroom, and how she dealt with the many obstacles she faced. Now a retired orchestra director, Diane provides insight as to how teachers (especially new teachers) can stay strong and keep moving forward during a time when teachers are not getting the support that they need. Download the show notes for this episode HERE. Connect with Diane: diane.harper6260@outlook.com ...
Have a guest recommendation? Let us know! This week, we have Dr. Chris Rosborough, Director of Choral Activities at Howard Payne University joins us on the show to discuss how Lessons and Carols services can fit into any church's holiday schedule. We also talk about the necessity to innovate in a variety of circumstances - including only having a small number of musicians in your ensemble. Download the show notes for this episode HERE. TCDA 2024 "We're Not in Cambridge Anymore" Resource Fol...
Have a guest recommendation? Let us know! In the second part of our interview with HSU Cowboy Band Director Jay Lester, we learn about the different traditions the he incorporates in his band - and how traditions in your own ensemble can bring a greater sense of community to the group. Download the show notes for this episode HERE. Follow our official Instagram page and become a part of the community! Browse Kara's TPT Store! Connect with the Hardin-Simmons "World Famous" Cowboy Band! We...
Have a guest recommendation? Let us know! This week, former Fine Arts Director of Abilene ISD Jay Lester joins us to discuss the many roles that an administrator plays in music education. He also shows the key things that admin looks for when hiring, as well what you should and should not do during a music teacher job interview! Download the show notes for this episode HERE. Follow our official Instagram page and become a part of the community! Browse Kara's TPT Store! Connect with the H...
Have a guest recommendation? Let us know! We had the honor of sitting down with Dr. Loyd Hawthorne to learn how he impacted the lives of countless students over the course of his career. From conducting all-state choirs to traveling across the state of Texas to recruit for his program, Dr. Hawthorne tells us the secret to making a difference in the lives of students: Intentionality. Are you an HSU Choir Alumni? Sign up for the 2024 Homecoming Alumni Choir! https://connectnow.hsutx.edu/regist...
Have a guest recommendation? Let us know! In the second part of our interview with Mary Jane Phillips, we learn the story behind her ensembles' successes - and how great tone quality in her groups was the foundation of that success. She also gives us a behind-the-scenes look at how her "SOS" and "Choir Hacks" materials came to be - as well as a glimpse of what's currently in the works! Download the show notes for this episode HERE. Follow our official Instagram page and become a part of the...
Have a guest recommendation? Let us know! We are excited to welcome Mary Jane Phillips onto the show, who is a well-known mentor for choir directors across the country and co-author of the SOS sight-reading books. She is also the creator of “Choir Hacks,” her TPT store materials. Mary Jane joins us to discuss how to manage the middle school classroom and handle the many obstacles that can arise, from class behavior to unsupportive admin! This episode is a must-listen regardless of the ensembl...
Have a guest recommendation? Let us know! Welcome to the first episode of Beyond the Measure - Season 2! Many of us get so caught up in creating music that we forget that we are actually creating leaders. Student leadership and connection is the foundation of everything else we do in the classroom, and our success as a group depends on it. The goal, therefore, is to make the group greater than the sum of its parts. Teaching the music is easy, but having the students work well together is har...
Have a guest recommendation? Let us know! Welcome to end of "Season 1" of Beyond the Measure! Our final guest is Tanatchaya (Tanya) Chanphanitpornkit, who is the orchestra director of many different ensembles, including the Crescendo Orchestra at the New York Youth Symphony. We discuss with Tanya the significance that honesty and vulnerability can hold in earning the trust of students - from elementary age-levels all the way to the best of the best! Download the show notes for this episode H...
Have a guest recommendation? Let us know! We've all heard that there is much more beneath the "tip of the iceberg" when it comes to conducting, but what does that actually look like? And what best practices can we do as conductors to grow as music educators? This week, Dr. Andrew Kim of the New York Youth Symphony and Conducting Institute joins us to share his story of how he became a conductor and what we can do to cultivate a life of powerful music-making and fulfillment. Download the sho...
Have a guest recommendation? Let us know! Being in a profession like music education comes with a lot of scrutiny. This can cause a lot of stress on us and make us afraid to be truly vulnerable - and not just with other people, but with ourselves. It’s important to take time to look in the mirror and ask ourselves “What am I struggling with in the classroom?” and “What steps can I take to get better at it?” Mrs. Andrea Cruz, Choir Director at Caprock High School in Amarillo, Texas, joins us ...
Have a guest recommendation? Let us know! This week, Brandon Farren, head choral director at Canyon High School, joins us to discuss how directors can maintain a healthy tone in their ensemble - both from a musical perspective and from the students' perspective. Download the show notes for this episode HERE. Follow our official Instagram page and become a part of the community! Browse Kara's TPT Store! Connect with the Canyon High School Choir! Website: https://sites.google.com/canyonis...
Have a guest recommendation? Let us know! In this episode, Grammy Award-winner Stephen Cox joins us to discuss how the current systems in the music education field will make an impact on the future of our profession. What are we doing now that is working? What's not working? And what changes need to happen soon before more turn away from the profession? Download the show notes for this episode HERE. Follow our official Instagram page and become a part of the community! Browse Kara's TPT S...
Have a guest recommendation? Let us know! This is the second part of our interview with Dr. Frank Eychaner, Director of Choral Activities at the University of Central Arkansas. Frank discusses ways that music educators can continue to renew themselves and take the right steps toward staying mentally and physically healthy. Download the show notes for this episode HERE. Follow our official Instagram page and become a part of the community! Browse Kara's TPT Store! Connect with Frank and t...
Have a guest recommendation? Let us know! In our final episode of Season 2, we are beyond thrilled to have Brenda Justice, former choir director at Rouse High School, as our final guest - Christian's high school choir director! Brenda shares her experience in creating a culture that made a difference in the lives of countless students, as well as the true purpose of any educator: helping a student feel seen and at home. Download the show notes for this episode HERE. Follow our official Instag...
