I did not coin this phrase. I borrowed from former Google Exec Tristan Harris. Social media companies are trying to outcompete the others for attention by appealing to ever more primal drives, dragging human cognition “down the brain stem” instead of cultivating critical thought. Is Education falling into the same trap? On Facebook, X and … Continue reading "Episode 264: Education’s Race to the Bottom of the Brain Stem"

‘If we see that this is a beneficial thing for our kids, then that’s my burden of responsibility as a parent to make sure that my kids are doing that regardless of the amount of whining or complaining to the contrary.” In this conversation, Marianne Forman shares her journey as a composer and musician, discussing … Continue reading "Episode 263: Parents As Key Players in Music Education with Marianne Forman"

Group vocal tips, and singing instructions can be a mine field. Every voice in the room is different. It really is possible to say things in a choir rehearsal that helps one singer gets better, while making ten worse. Let’s be careful! This episode is sourced from a recent professional development I gave for Wentzville, … Continue reading "Episode 262: How to Avoid Making Our Singers Worse"

The name “Jo Michael Scheibe” has been known to many in the world of choral music for decades for more than just the sound of his choirs. The Jo-Michael Scheibe Choral Series is one of the richest and most thorough curations of the art form available. Choosing repertoire can often be a “needle in a … Continue reading "Episode 261: The Art of Programming with Jo-Michael Scheibe"

Many choir directors share warm ups and other activities in the form of video clips. But few have gained as much traction as Jonas Rasmussen. Tune in to find out why, and to go behind the scenes and in depth on these awesome exercises! You may know him as The “Choir Conductor” on Instagram. In … Continue reading "Episode 260: The World is Your Chorister with Jonas Rasmussen"

Much is said about gender disparity and imbalance in the Arts and Education. But, this week, our guest gets personal by sharing some specifics. The microagressions of a male-dominated profession. In this conversation, Dr. Nicole Mattfeld discusses her experiences as a female choral conductor, highlighting the challenges of gender bias, societal expectations, and the impact … Continue reading "Episode 259: But You Don’t LOOK Like a Conductor with Dr. Nicole Mattfeld"

What is the POINT of a solid, well installed, Choral/Vocal Pedagogy for young people? Why does it matter? Just to make good performers? Or is it something deeper… The episode is the sixth part of a series titled “The First Days of Choir,” inspired by Harry Wong’s educational text “The First Days of School.” In … Continue reading "The First Days of Choir Part 6: Installing a Personhood Curriculum"

“Everything in my music journey was my own drive… I actually love this.” Shruthi’s story of “falling in love at first sight” will inspire you. In this edition of the Oxford Series we explore the vibrant fusion of Carnatic and Western classical music through the eyes of a composer who crafts her identity into every … Continue reading "Episode 258: Crafting Identity Through Music with Shruthi Rajasekar"

Even when all the plans are best laid, we sometimes miss. How do we reflect and redirect before we lose the whole school year? The episode is the FIFTH part of a series titled “The First Days of Choir,” inspired by Harry Wong’s educational text “The First Days of School.” This particular episode, part five, … Continue reading "The First Days of Choir Part 5: Voicing, Reflecting and Redirecting"

Ananya has made music in many places around the world, and she believes that “choir is everywhere” and for everyone. This week, I am discussing music with a unique guest for this show! Ananya Venkateswaran, is a 17-year-old choral High School Student in Abu Dhabi, UAE. She shares her unique experiences as a “third culture … Continue reading "Episode 257: Music is My Language with Ananya Venkateswaran"

A an honorary addition to the “First Days of Choir Series” could not have been more serendipitous. In this episode, the two researchers and I delve into effective strategies for teaching musical expression with experts Craig Hurley and Rebecca Atkins. We explore how integrating expression from the start can transform choir performances, and learn about … Continue reading "Episode 256: Teaching Expression from Day One with Craig Hurley and Rebecca Atkins"

“In an effective classroom, students should not only know what they are doing, they should also know why and how.”- Harry Wong. In this episode, we delve into the critical role of repertoire selection in shaping music education. Discuss with me how the right choice of music can inspire, challenge, and elevate both students and … Continue reading "The First Days of Choir Part 4: Repertoire with Intent"

“Assessment continues learning,” -Harry Wong. When we are making decisions about what gets “graded” it is important first to decide, “what is crucial?” This list might be different for all of us. But if it isn’t crucial, don’t grade it. Audience members Bruce Rockwell, Chy Billings and Laura Huizinga feature some of their “First Days” … Continue reading "The First Days of Choir Part 3: The Feedback Cyle"

We often say we value diverse voices in the choral world, but programming habits don’t always reflect that. What are the biggest structural or cultural barriers still keeping women composers under-programmed? We say we want a more inclusive choral canon—but for too long, women composers have been treated like a sidebar or a “special item … Continue reading "Episode 255: Uncovering the Overlooked with Hilary Apfelstadt and Alan Davis"

“It could be dangerous to teach the way you were taught.”-Harry Wong. Research is not something only scientists do. Businesspeople do research; so do baseball players, chefs, plumbers, lawyers, dentists, artists, and actors. Students, when they write term papers, do research. To search and search and search, over and over again. That is why it … Continue reading "The First Days of Choir Part 2: The Power of Infrastructure"

“You will be able to be successful, because what we do here works.” Day 1 is when the indoctrination begins. You heard it here. We ARE indoctrinating students… into believing that they can sing and be GOOD at it. This begins on the first day of school. Harry and Rosemary Wong literally “wrote the book” … Continue reading "The First Days of Choir Part 1: Introduction and Day 1"

Elena Sharkova is a an artistic leader and pioneer in American Choral Music. But, her roots are Russian. This shared identity has its complexities now of course. You won’t want to miss her thoughts on this. This week I had the pleasure of speaking with a true leader in the choral art, Elena Sharkova. who … Continue reading "Episode 254: Finding Passion in EVERY Note with Elena Sharkova"

A Choralosophy first. A podcast, with a guest, recorded in my car. Chris Maunu and I riding to the airport, discussing how our roles change, or don’t… when leading classroom ensembles verses community based ensembles of young people. To what degree does our role as an “educator” shift? In this engaging conversation, Chrises Munce and … Continue reading "Episode 253: Car Thoughts with Chris Maunu"

The American Education System(s) are facing a crisis that too few within these systems are wanting to name or face. It is a Literacy crisis. As educators of any subject, this is a call to action. In this enlightening conversation, Kareem J Weaver discusses the critical importance of literacy in education, emphasizing its role in … Continue reading "Episode 252: Literacy is Agency with Kareem Weaver"

A special episode where I read audience questions, comments, raised points for the benefit of all listeners. I have also updated the form on the main page to collect ideas for future shows and your questions or comments. This episode turns the focus out toward you. The listener. I have been collecting feedback since the … Continue reading "Episode 251: Audience Mailbag"