Welcome to the return after almost a whole year of the Oxford Choral Series on the Choralosophy podcast. Special thanks and good luck to Maggie Pate for setting up the series with me, and thanks Jeremy Edelstein for helping us get it back up and running.

In this conversation, Dr. Coleman shares his journey as a passionate choral educator, who has “found his calling from God.” We discuss the impact of COVID on music and general education, the importance of accessible repertoire, and my inspiration for wanting to this episode. His recent session at National ACDA where he presented a spiral bound SOLUTION to many of my repertoire problems. And I know it will be the same for you.

He emphasizes the need for music that empowers students and fosters a sense of community within the choir. Edryn reflects on his teaching philosophy, the challenges faced by students, and the collaborative effort behind the book, “Accessible and Beautiful” which aims to provide resources that enhance the choral experience for all. Central to this need is the marriage of QUALITY repertoire with accessibility. For older students it just be “easy.”

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

For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

Dr. Edryn J. Coleman currently teaches choir and piano at Oakland Mills High School in Columbia, MD. He has taught music at all levels: elementary, middle, collegiate and now high school. Each one of those experiences has shaped his personal commitment to music education for every students at every level.

Dr. Coleman is a very active guest conductor, adjudicator, and lecturer. His choirs have performed for both state and national conferences. The most recent honor, being selected as one of the ensembles to present an Insight Session at the 2023 American Choral DirectorsAssociation National Conference. Outside of the classroom, Dr. Coleman has extensive experience in leadership. He is currently the Membership Chair for the Eastern Region of the American Choral Directors Association; and the Immediate-Past President of the Maryland Choral Educators Association.

Dr. Coleman holds a BA in Music from Stillman College an MME from Florida State University, and a DMA from the Shenandoah Conservatory of Music at Shenandoah University. He is always eager to share his musical teaching experiences. His classroom teaching motto is “Teachers need students like pencils need erasers. I may be the final point, but I’m not always right.”

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