Choralosophy

What can vocal and instrumental music education learn from each other? At what point does specialization become uneccessary siloing of what should be a “music ‘education” profession? Matthew Arau is the guest. Yes… ANOTHER band teacher… Back in January, I accidentally attended Matthew’s session at the recent Missouri Music Educator conference. You read that right. … Continue reading "Episode 285: Teach Choir Like Band. And Band Like Choir with Matthew Arau"

I’ve said for a long time that music education is at a crossroads—but depending on who you ask, we’re either evolving… or we’re missing the point entirely. Are traditional school music programs—band, choir, orchestra—reaching enough students? And if not, why? There’s a growing narrative in music education right now that what we’ve been doing for … Continue reading "Episode 284: Is the Ensemble Model Outdated? With Kevin Droe"

A one of a kind event happened at this year’s convention of the Southwest Region of American Choral Directors. We gathered a panel of thoughtful professionals and an inquisitive crowd of colleagues and had an “unsafe” conversation in public. And what do you know? No one threw tomatoes! Are we speaking a language our communities … Continue reading "Episode 283: Beyond the Buzzwords Live at SWACDA"

Among the more misunderstood, mischaracterized, and confusing topics discussed on this show is Literacy. What is it? What is it not? It’s time to include a wider lens here beyond vocal and elementary general classrooms. Instrumental music has its own pitfalls. Let’s compare notes. Rethinking Music Literacy: Beyond Button Pushing. Finally! Another “music is a … Continue reading "Episode 282: Music Literacy is MORE Than Pushing Buttons"

Part Two of a New Series: Give Them Tools and Let Them Build is based on a premise. We are not the music makers. Our students are. So, are we teaching them songs? Or the tools used to build songs? Who is the hardest working person in your classroom? Spoiler alert: it should NOT be … Continue reading "Episode 281: Give Them Tools and Let Them Build Part 2"