Three years ago, I released an episode that got me called the “Joe Rogan of Choir Podcasts.” I was branded a “men’s rights advocate,” and I watched a non-trivial portion of the choral community throw up their hands in collective outrage or disbelief. What was my controversial crime? I dared to argue that boys are an underserved—and in many educational and arts contexts, marginalized—group in our programs. And even worse, I suggested that their plummeting participation might actually be, at least IN PART, our fault as educators. When you bring up the boy crisis in choir or education in general, the knee-jerk reaction from arts spaces is usually to point outward. It is sports culture. It is general societal pressure. Look, complex problems do not have single causes or simple solutions. But what we desperately avoid talking about is the climate inside our own house. Give Them Tools Part 1 This episode takes the meatiest bits out of an EXPERT interview with Dr. Brendan Kwiatkawski related to the psychological research about boys, their relationships to their emotions and identity, and why age 13-15 is SO crucial for them…and for our choirs. Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Clinician/Presenter Requests Support the Show/Bonus Materials Choralosophy Community Blog Merch 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 Facebook 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 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 @choralosophypodca

Three years ago, I released an episode that got me called the “Joe Rogan of Choir Podcasts.” I was branded a “men’s rights advocate,” and I watched a non-trivial portion of the choral community throw up their hands in collective outrage or disbelief.



What was my controversial crime? I dared to argue that boys are an underserved—and in many educational and arts contexts, marginalized—group in our programs. And even worse, I suggested that their plummeting participation might actually be, at least IN PART, our fault as educators.



When you bring up the boy crisis in choir or education in general, the knee-jerk reaction from arts spaces is usually to point outward. It is sports culture. It is general societal pressure. Look, complex problems do not have single causes or simple solutions. But what we desperately avoid talking about is the climate inside our own house.



Give Them Tools Part 1



This episode takes the meatiest bits out of an EXPERT interview with Dr. Brendan Kwiatkawski related to the psychological research about boys, their relationships to their emotions and identity, and why age 13-15 is SO crucial for them…and for our choirs.



<a href="www.ludus.com" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a>Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit <a href="http://www.ludus.com/choralosophy" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ludus.com</a>/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. 








<a href="https://choralosophy.com/clinician-request/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Clinician/Presenter Requests</a>



<a href="https://choralosophy.com/support/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Support the Show/Bonus Materials</a>



<a href="http://choralosophy.substack.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Choralosophy Community Blog</a>



<a href="https://choralosophy.com/shop/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Merch Store!</a>




<a href="https://www.kaleidoscopeadventures.com/choralosophy-podcast/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Visit Kaleidescope Today! </a>



<a href="www.sightreadingfactory.com" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a><a href="http://www.sightreadingfactory.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.sightreadingfactory.com&nbsp;</a>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 Facebook



Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! <a href="http://www.mymusicfolders.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.mymusicfolders.com</a> and <a href="http://www.mychoirrobes.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.mychoirrobes.com</a>



RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit <a href="http://endeavormusicpublishing.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">endeavormusicpublishing.com</a> and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!



 <a href="https://www.instagram.com/choralosophy/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" rel="noopener noreferrer"> View this profile on Instagram </a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/choralosophy/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" rel="noopener noreferrer">Choralosophy Podcast</a> (@<a href="https://www.instagram.com/choralosophy/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" rel="noopener noreferrer">choralosophy</a>) • Instagram photos and videos 







 



 <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@choralosophypodca?refer=creator_embed" rel="noopener noreferrer">@choralosophypodca</a> 







&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Episode 300: The Reason Boys Don’t Sing (That we don’t like to talk about…)

What if we’ve been approaching Music Ed and Conducting backwards? Dr. Jordan suggests, that “the first course in music ed shouldn’t be methods. It should be a semester of learning who you are—because that’s what actually reaches students.” Why is it that two conductors can give the exact same technical pattern to the same choir, yet pull out two completely different sounds? We spend years studying method books, perfecting rehearsal pacing, and mastering vocal pedagogy—but what happens when our technique begins to eclipse our actual presence on the podium? Today on the podcast, I’m thrilled to welcome back Dr. James Jordan for his second visit to the show, whose last episode was incredibly helpful and popular with audiences. We dive into his latest book from GIA, The Conductor’s Triangle: Embodied Conducting and Connection. Drawing on over four decades of teaching, the profound influence of his mentor Elaine Brown, and the science behind connection and audiation, James challenges us to move past mechanical conducting habits. We explore what it means to be truly grounded, how listening differs from fixing, and why the most vital instrument in the rehearsal room is simply who you are. After all, James warns, if your gestures are just mechanical patterns, you’re putting up a shield between your core and your ensemble. Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Tune in now on YouTube or your favorite podcast app! 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 Requests Support the Show/Bonus Materials Choralosophy Community Blog Merch 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! YouTube version of this episode. xr:d:DAE6zhcoqp4:7,j:47212508470,t:23021800 " data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/choralosophy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/TMT-New-Logo.jpg?fit=525%2C295&ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/choralosophy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/TMT-New-Logo.jpg?resize=525%2C295&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-7097" style="width:184px;height:auto" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/choralosophy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/TMT-New-Logo.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/choralosophy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/TMT-New-Logo.jpg?resize=300%2C169&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/choralosophy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/TMT-New-Logo.jpg?resize=768%2C432&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/choralosophy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/TMT-New-Logo.jpg?resize=1200%2C675&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/choralosophy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/TMT-New-Logo.jpg?resize=350%2C197&ssl=1 350w, https://i0.wp.com/choralosophy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/TMT-New-Logo.jpg?w=1280&ssl=1 1280w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" />Sign up for an annual membership and save over $50 by entering Choralosophy at checkout! Save 15% on monthly or annual subscriptions. James Jordan is a Grammy -nominated conductor and seventh conductor of the renowned Westminster Choir. He is Conductor Emeritus at Westminster Choir College. His experience covers over 40 years of teaching, conducting and research. He is the author of more than sixty-five books on conducting and conducting pedagogy, and has over 20 recordings under the GIAChoralWorks , NAXOS and Reference Recordings labels. He is founding director of The Choral Academy of Evoking Sound, www.thechoralacademy.com, a groundbreaking platform for continuing study for musicians. He is Co-Founder of The Choral Institute at Oxford. He is Co-Director and Tutor for The Addamus Italian Choral Program (Addamus.com) and in 2027 will lead Conducting Institutes in Oxford, Florence and 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.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 @choralosophypodca

What if we’ve been approaching Music Ed and Conducting backwards? <a href="https://www.jamesjordanconductor.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Dr. Jordan</a> suggests, that “the first course in music ed shouldn’t be methods. It should be a semester of learning who you are—because that’s what actually reaches students.”







Why is it that two conductors can give the exact same technical pattern to the same choir, yet pull out two completely different sounds? We spend years studying method books, perfecting rehearsal pacing, and mastering vocal pedagogy—but what happens when our technique begins to eclipse our actual presence on the podium?



Today on the podcast, I’m thrilled to welcome back Dr. James Jordan for his second visit to the show, <a href="https://choralosophy.com/2024/07/05/episode-205-teaching-our-choirs-to-listen-with-james-jordan/" rel="noopener noreferrer">whose last episode was incredibly helpful and popular with audiences</a>. We dive into his latest book from GIA, The Conductor’s Triangle: Embodied Conducting and Connection. Drawing on over four decades of teaching, the profound influence of his mentor Elaine Brown, and the science behind connection and audiation, James challenges us to move past mechanical conducting habits. We explore what it means to be truly grounded, how listening differs from fixing, and why the most vital instrument in the rehearsal room is simply who you are.



After all, James warns, if your gestures are just mechanical patterns, you’re putting up a shield between your core and your ensemble. 



<a href="www.ludus.com" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a>Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit <a href="http://www.ludus.com/choralosophy" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ludus.com</a>/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. 



 Tune in now on YouTube or your favorite podcast app!







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! <a href="https://choralosophy.com/product/music-reading-rope/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Music Reading Rope</a>








<a href="https://choralosophy.com/clinician-request/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Clinician/Presenter Requests</a>



<a href="https://choralosophy.com/support/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Support the Show/Bonus Materials</a>



<a href="http://choralosophy.substack.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Choralosophy Community Blog</a>



<a href="https://choralosophy.com/shop/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Merch Store!</a>




<a href="https://www.kaleidoscopeadventures.com/choralosophy-podcast/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Visit Kaleidescope Today! </a>



<a href="www.sightreadingfactory.com" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a><a href="http://www.sightreadingfactory.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.sightreadingfactory.com&nbsp;</a>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! <a href="https://youtu.be/vfKR8X22up4" rel="noopener noreferrer">YouTube version of this episode.</a>









<a href="https://www.threeminutetheory.com/a/2147833047/VatsfVbw" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a><a href="https://www.threeminutetheorymusic.com/a/2147833047/VatsfVbw" rel="noopener noreferrer">Sign up for an annual membership</a> and save over $50 by entering Choralosophy at checkout! Save 15% on monthly or annual subscriptions.



James Jordan is a Grammy -nominated conductor and seventh conductor of the renowned Westminster Choir. He is Conductor Emeritus at Westminster Choir College. His experience covers over 40 years of teaching, conducting and research. He is the author of more than sixty-five books on conducting and conducting pedagogy, and has over 20 recordings under the GIAChoralWorks , NAXOS and Reference Recordings labels. He is founding director of The Choral Academy of Evoking Sound,



<a href="https://Thechoralacademy.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.thechoralacademy.com</a>, a groundbreaking platform for continuing study for musicians. He is Co-Founder of The Choral Institute at Oxford. He is Co-Director and Tutor for The Addamus Italian Choral Program (Addamus.com) and in 2027 will lead Conducting Institutes in Oxford, Florence and New York.



Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! <a href="http://www.mymusicfolders.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.mymusicfolders.com</a> and <a href="http://www.mychoirrobes.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.mychoirrobes.com</a>



RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit <a href="http://endeavormusicpublishing.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">endeavormusicpublishing.com</a> and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!



 <a href="https://www.instagram.com/choralosophy/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" rel="noopener noreferrer"> View this profile on Instagram </a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/choralosophy/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" rel="noopener noreferrer">Choralosophy Podcast</a> (@<a href="https://www.instagram.com/choralosophy/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" rel="noopener noreferrer">choralosophy</a>) • Instagram photos and videos 







 



 <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@choralosophypodca?refer=creator_embed" rel="noopener noreferrer">@choralosophypodca</a> 







&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Episode 304: You Are the Thing That Teaches with James Jordan

An episode born from comment section of one of my social media videos. I was sharing my perspective on finding a middle ground when it comes to competition in music education, and my guest today left a comment that caught my eye, mentioning that her own views on artistic competition had recently undergone a total transformation. I’m joined today by Dr. Francis Cathlina, Director of Choral Activities at the University of Memphis. Francis brings a fascinating perspective to the podium as a former violist turned collegiate choral conductor. In this episode, we sit down to unpack what it really means to “right-size” competition for your specific school and community. He shares how an international conducting trip to the Philippines completely changed her mind about competition as a tool for program advocacy, and we take an honest look at how social media is impacting the culture of guest clinicians and honor choirs. Later in the hour, we dive into vocal pedagogy and choral tone—exploring how spoken language and regional linguistics should inform resonance, and why efficient, healthy vocalism has to come first, regardless of the style you’re singing. Whether you love competition, avoid it entirely, or find yourself somewhere in the middle, this conversation is packed with pedagogical wisdom and honest reflections on our field. Stick around—you’re going to get a lot out of this conversation with Dr. Francis Cathlina. Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Tune in now on YouTube or your favorite podcast app! 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 Requests Support the Show/Bonus Materials Choralosophy Community Blog Merch 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! xr:d:DAE6zhcoqp4:7,j:47212508470,t:23021800 " data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/choralosophy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/TMT-New-Logo.jpg?fit=525%2C295&ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/choralosophy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/TMT-New-Logo.jpg?resize=525%2C295&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-7097" style="width:184px;height:auto" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/choralosophy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/TMT-New-Logo.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/choralosophy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/TMT-New-Logo.jpg?resize=300%2C169&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/choralosophy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/TMT-New-Logo.jpg?resize=768%2C432&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/choralosophy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/TMT-New-Logo.jpg?resize=1200%2C675&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/choralosophy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/TMT-New-Logo.jpg?resize=350%2C197&ssl=1 350w, https://i0.wp.com/choralosophy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/TMT-New-Logo.jpg?w=1280&ssl=1 1280w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" />Sign up for an annual membership and save over $50 by entering Choralosophy at checkout! Save 15% on monthly or annual subscriptions. Francis Cathlina, D.M.A. (he/him) is a Vietnamese-American conductor and educator. His concerts invite audiences into a world where choral artistry becomes a powerful storytelling medium. Dr. Cathlina serves as the Director of Choral Activities at the University of Memphis, where he guides the Choral Area, leads the MM/DMA Choral Conducting program, and conducts the University Singers. His creative work was recognized with the 2025 Dean’s Award for Creative Achievementand 2026 Dean’s Award for Excellence in Engaged Scholarship. A Yamaha “40 Under 40” educator, Dr. Cathlina maintains an active international profile. In 2025, he served as the Choral Conducting Faculty for Brazil’s FIMUS Festival and worked in the Philippines as part of ACDA’s International Conductors Exchange Program. His work consistently bridges pedagogy with cultural exchange. Cathlina’s teaching develops masterful technicians, expressive communicators, and thoughtful citizens. Under his direction, the UofM University Singers have been invited to perform for national conferences. His students lead prominent programs—as university Director of Choral Activities and symphony chorus directors. Upcoming engagements include All-State choirs in New Jersey, Arkansas, and Kentucky, presentations in Macau, and residencies in London and Sweden. Among these, conducting honor choirs remains his most cherished creative work. An authority on vocal pedagogy, Dr. Cathlina’s research focuses on choral tone and conducting gesture. He has presented over 85 sessions worldwide. He is published in international journals. Recent highlights include headlining the Alabama and Ohio choral conferences and co-leading Conducting Masterclasses in Greece with the University of Macedonia (Thessaloniki) and Ionian University (Corfu). Dr. Cathlina earned a DMA in Conducting with a Vocal Pedagogy cognate from the University of North Texas, an MM from Michigan State University, and a BME from Baylor University. Before his doctorate, he taught in Texas public schools. In concert, Cathlina wears an áo dài, traditional Vietnamese formalwear. As one of the few Vietnamese conductors in the field, he proudly dons it as a tribute to his heritage. Beyond the podium, he is a pickleball athlete, coach, and ambassador. He lives in Memphis, Tennessee, with his husband Kyle and their dog, Coco. https://www.instagram.com/francis.cathlina 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 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 @choralosophypodca

An episode born from comment section of one of my social media videos. I was sharing my perspective on finding a middle ground when it comes to competition in music education, and my guest today left a comment that caught my eye, mentioning that her own views on artistic competition had recently undergone a total transformation.







I’m joined today by <a href="https://www.franciscathlina.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Dr. Francis Cathlina</a>, Director of Choral Activities at the University of Memphis. Francis brings a fascinating perspective to the podium as a former violist turned collegiate choral conductor. In this episode, we sit down to unpack what it really means to “right-size” competition for your specific school and community. He shares how an international conducting trip to the Philippines completely changed her mind about competition as a tool for program advocacy, and we take an honest look at how social media is impacting the culture of guest clinicians and honor choirs.



Later in the hour, we dive into vocal pedagogy and choral tone—exploring how spoken language and regional linguistics should inform resonance, and why efficient, healthy vocalism has to come first, regardless of the style you’re singing.



Whether you love competition, avoid it entirely, or find yourself somewhere in the middle, this conversation is packed with pedagogical wisdom and honest reflections on our field. Stick around—you’re going to get a lot out of this conversation with Dr. Francis Cathlina.



<a href="www.ludus.com" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a>Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit <a href="http://www.ludus.com/choralosophy" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ludus.com</a>/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. 



 Tune in now on YouTube or your favorite podcast app!







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! <a href="https://choralosophy.com/product/music-reading-rope/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Music Reading Rope</a>








<a href="https://choralosophy.com/clinician-request/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Clinician/Presenter Requests</a>



<a href="https://choralosophy.com/support/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Support the Show/Bonus Materials</a>



<a href="http://choralosophy.substack.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Choralosophy Community Blog</a>



<a href="https://choralosophy.com/shop/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Merch Store!</a>




<a href="https://www.kaleidoscopeadventures.com/choralosophy-podcast/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Visit Kaleidescope Today! </a>



<a href="www.sightreadingfactory.com" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a><a href="http://www.sightreadingfactory.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.sightreadingfactory.com&nbsp;</a>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! 









<a href="https://www.threeminutetheory.com/a/2147833047/VatsfVbw" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a><a href="https://www.threeminutetheorymusic.com/a/2147833047/VatsfVbw" rel="noopener noreferrer">Sign up for an annual membership</a> and save over $50 by entering Choralosophy at checkout! Save 15% on monthly or annual subscriptions.



Francis Cathlina, D.M.A. (he/him) is a Vietnamese-American conductor and educator. His concerts invite audiences into a world where choral artistry becomes a powerful storytelling medium.



Dr. Cathlina serves as the Director of Choral Activities at the University of Memphis, where he guides the Choral Area, leads the MM/DMA Choral Conducting program, and conducts the University Singers. His creative work was recognized with the 2025 Dean’s Award for Creative Achievementand 2026 Dean’s Award for Excellence in Engaged Scholarship.



A Yamaha “40 Under 40” educator, Dr. Cathlina maintains an active international profile. In 2025, he served as the Choral Conducting Faculty for Brazil’s FIMUS Festival and worked in the Philippines as part of ACDA’s International Conductors Exchange Program. His work consistently bridges pedagogy with cultural exchange.



Cathlina’s teaching develops masterful technicians, expressive communicators, and thoughtful citizens. Under his direction, the UofM University Singers have been invited to perform for national conferences. His students lead prominent programs—as university Director of Choral Activities and symphony chorus directors. Upcoming engagements include All-State choirs in New Jersey, Arkansas, and Kentucky, presentations in Macau, and residencies in London and Sweden. Among these, conducting honor choirs remains his most cherished creative work.



An authority on vocal pedagogy, Dr. Cathlina’s research focuses on choral tone and conducting gesture. He has presented over 85 sessions worldwide. He is published in international journals. Recent highlights include headlining the Alabama and Ohio choral conferences and co-leading Conducting Masterclasses in Greece with the University of Macedonia (Thessaloniki) and Ionian University (Corfu).



Dr. Cathlina earned a DMA in Conducting with a Vocal Pedagogy cognate from the University of North Texas, an MM from Michigan State University, and a BME from Baylor University. Before his doctorate, he taught in Texas public schools.



In concert, Cathlina wears an áo dài, traditional Vietnamese formalwear. As one of the few Vietnamese conductors in the field, he proudly dons it as a tribute to his heritage.



Beyond the podium, he is a pickleball athlete, coach, and ambassador. He lives in Memphis, Tennessee, with his husband Kyle and their dog, Coco. 



<a href="https://www.instagram.com/francis.cathlina" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.instagram.com/francis.cathlina</a>



Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! <a href="http://www.mymusicfolders.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.mymusicfolders.com</a> and <a href="http://www.mychoirrobes.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.mychoirrobes.com</a>







RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit <a href="http://endeavormusicpublishing.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">endeavormusicpublishing.com</a> and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!



 <a href="https://www.instagram.com/choralosophy/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" rel="noopener noreferrer"> View this profile on Instagram </a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/choralosophy/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" rel="noopener noreferrer">Choralosophy Podcast</a> (@<a href="https://www.instagram.com/choralosophy/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" rel="noopener noreferrer">choralosophy</a>) • Instagram photos and videos 







 



 <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@choralosophypodca?refer=creator_embed" rel="noopener noreferrer">@choralosophypodca</a> 







&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Episode 301: Is it Competition? Or Comparison? with Dr. Francis Cathlina

Over the last 2 summers, Choralosophy has been focused on teacher and conductor preparation for the day their singers walk in for the first time. What does it mean to really be “ready?” Summer vacation is important, but preparation is peace of mind. This short episode will simply summarize the First Days and Give Them Tools series, so that you have a clear and concise guide to the materials and can easily find what you need when it’s time to build that syllabus, and sing the first notes! Give Them Tools Part 1 Find the WHOLE series here. We will also summarize a recent Choralosophy Community essay that asks the question, “Does Music Education Need it’s Own Science of Reading Moment?” 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 Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. Clinician/Presenter Requests Support the Show/Bonus Materials Choralosophy Community Blog Merch 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 Facebook 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 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 @choralosophypodca

Over the last 2 summers, Choralosophy has been focused on teacher and conductor preparation for the day their singers walk in for the first time. What does it mean to really be “ready?” Summer vacation is important, but preparation is peace of mind.



This short episode will simply summarize the First Days and Give Them Tools series, so that you have a clear and concise guide to the materials and can easily find what you need when it’s time to build that syllabus, and sing the first notes! 



Give Them Tools Part 1



<a href="https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaHnqI7kNYUcXINH17LhNWlRYhhiZDgLJ&amp;si=2xehLPUUOFq5_ULP" rel="noopener noreferrer">Find the WHOLE series here.</a>



We will also summarize a recent <a href="https://choralosophy.substack.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Choralosophy Community</a> essay that asks the question, “Does Music Education Need it’s Own Science of Reading Moment?”



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! <a href="https://choralosophy.com/product/music-reading-rope/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Music Reading Rope</a>



<a href="www.ludus.com" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a>Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit <a href="http://www.ludus.com/choralosophy" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ludus.com</a>/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. 








<a href="https://choralosophy.com/clinician-request/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Clinician/Presenter Requests</a>



<a href="https://choralosophy.com/support/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Support the Show/Bonus Materials</a>



<a href="http://choralosophy.substack.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Choralosophy Community Blog</a>



<a href="https://choralosophy.com/shop/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Merch Store!</a>




<a href="https://www.kaleidoscopeadventures.com/choralosophy-podcast/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Visit Kaleidescope Today! </a>



<a href="www.sightreadingfactory.com" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a><a href="http://www.sightreadingfactory.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.sightreadingfactory.com&nbsp;</a>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 Facebook



Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! <a href="http://www.mymusicfolders.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.mymusicfolders.com</a> and <a href="http://www.mychoirrobes.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.mychoirrobes.com</a>



RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit <a href="http://endeavormusicpublishing.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">endeavormusicpublishing.com</a> and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!



 <a href="https://www.instagram.com/choralosophy/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" rel="noopener noreferrer"> View this profile on Instagram </a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/choralosophy/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" rel="noopener noreferrer">Choralosophy Podcast</a> (@<a href="https://www.instagram.com/choralosophy/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" rel="noopener noreferrer">choralosophy</a>) • Instagram photos and videos 







 



 <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@choralosophypodca?refer=creator_embed" rel="noopener noreferrer">@choralosophypodca</a> 







&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Episode 299: Organizing Your Choir for Day 1

<figure class="wp-block-audio"><audio controls src="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/choralosophy.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/podcast-promo.wav"></audio><figcaption>A brief introduction of my new show launching February 21st. Includes a preview of the first few episodes</figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="525" height="350" data-attachment-id="88" data-permalink="https://choralosophy.com/fullsizeoutput_9/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/choralosophy.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/fullsizeoutput_9.jpeg?fit=960%2C640&ssl=1" data-orig-size="960,640" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1547899931","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="fullsizeoutput_9" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/choralosophy.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/fullsizeoutput_9.jpeg?fit=525%2C350&ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/choralosophy.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/fullsizeoutput_9.jpeg?resize=525%2C350&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-88" /><figcaption>Chris Munce</figcaption></figure>

A brief introduction of my new show launching February 21st. Includes a preview of the first few episodes Chris Munce

A brief introduction of my new show launching February 21st. Includes a preview of the first few episodes



Chris Munce

Podcast Promo

This page is dedicated to driving a conversation for choral musicians with the PHILOSOPHY of Choral Music at the heart of every post and podcast episode. Topics will be wide ranging from the technical aspects of our jobs and careers all the way to the artistic interpretations and values that make us who we are as artists. Join me in this conversation in which I hope we can learn from each other.

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