Back in Episode 183, you learned all about "Sing Democracy 250" - where did the idea come from, who is behind it, and why should it matter to you and your singing communities? Today is our second installment of meet the composer, where you get to hear from the commissioned composers who are writing the two new works just for the project. Check out episode 186 for part 1. Today, we’re speaking with Dr. Brandon A. Boyd. 

In case you missed it, you can now apply to be one of the choirs participating in Sing Democracy 250! All you have to do is pop over to their website and submit an application. It is free and as long as you are a 501c3 and commit to perform the music between March 1 and December 31 of 2026, they will send you the music discussed in today’s episode, along with the rest of the program, for free! Learn more and apply today at https://www.singdemocracy250.org/.

You can also watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/R7c-W8sHxCs 

Sign up for the newsletter to stay up to date in all things related to this project at https://www.singdemocracy250.org/.

Looking for more "Sing Democracy 250" details? Check these details:

Jonah Herzog (SD250 Program Associate) - [email protected]

Tina Sayers (SD250 - 50 States Program Director) - [email protected]

Listeners can also contact our team by emailing [email protected]

with regards from Gary Aamodt and Celia Ellingson (co-founders)

Website - singdemocracy250.org / Facebook / Instagram - @singdemocracy250

This episode was brought to you by our friends at Perform International. Tons of fabulous trips you can join in or plan one from scratch. Check them out at https://perform-international.com/.

Want to support the Music (ed) Matters Podcast AND get a special patron only bonus episode each month? Check out https://www.patreon.com/musicedmatters.

commissioned composers who are writing the two new works just for the project. Today we talk with composer Michael Bussewitz-Quarm (https://www.listenafresh.com/). 

Great news! You can now apply to be one of the choirs participating in Sing Democracy 250. All you have to do is pop over to their website and submit an application. It is free and as long as you are a 501c3 and commit to perform the music between March 1 and December 31 of 2026, they will send you the music discussed in today’s episode, along with the rest of the program, for free! Learn more and apply today at https://www.singdemocracy250.org/.

You can also watch this episode on YouTube:https://youtu.be/ysL70GGGjhU 

Sign up for the newsletter to stay up to date in all things related to this project at https://www.singdemocracy250.org/.

Looking for more "Sing Democracy 250" details? Check these details:

Jonah Herzog (SD250 Program Associate) - [email protected]

Tina Sayers (SD250 - 50 States Program Director) - [email protected]

with regards from Gary Aamodt and Celia Ellingson (co-founders)

Website - singdemocracy250.org / Facebook / Instagram - @singdemocracy250

This episode was brought to you by our friends at Perform International. Tons of fabulous trips you can join in or plan one from scratch. Check them out at https://perform-international.com/.

Want to support the Music (ed) Matters Podcast AND get a special patron only bonus episode each month? Check out https://www.patreon.com/musicedmatters.

Kicking-off the new year sharing one of the best real-life dream stories! Want to know what it takes to live out the NYC Acting Dream? In this episode, we talk to singing actor and educator, Hannah Thompson as she shares her journey from high school choir to "Phoebe" in the off-broadway Friends, the Parody Musical. A great listen for singing actors as well as educators preparing those singing actors :)

You can also watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ZGqQunWZ2uY

This episode was brought to you by our friends at Perform International. Tons of fabulous trips you can join in or plan one from scratch. Check them out at https://perform-international.com/.

Want to support the Music (ed) Matters Podcast AND get a special patron only bonus episode each month? Check out https://www.patreon.com/musicedmatters.

It's bonus episode time! In this episode, you'll hear all about the new choir I'm starting (at school) and some tips if you're looking to start one too. You'll get a little background on your host and then we go through the how, why, and what of this new ensemble. My goal is to share the "new choir" journey over the next 10-weeks (aka: winter quarter)  - this is going to be so fun! Thanks for listening! 

What does 90210, Friends, and the Office have in common? Today's guest, Assaf Gleizner, was part of the creative team that turned them into parody musicals! In this episode (a rebroadcast from The Illuminate Pod), Assaf shares the musical journey that lead to writing musicals - and a ton of fun stories along the way!

You can also watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/YqyVKTfwXjg

This episode was brought to you by our friends at Perform International. Tons of fabulous trips you can join in or plan one from scratch. Check them out at https://perform-international.com/.

Want to support the Music (ed) Matters Podcast AND get a special patron only bonus episode each month? Check out https://www.patreon.com/musicedmatters.

What exactly is "Sing Democracy 250" - where did the idea come from, who is behind it, and why should it matter to you and your singing communities? We answer all that and more in this first installment with our friends Tina and Jonah from the "Sing Democracy 250" team. Can't wait to see how this unfolds!

You can also watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/7wuIr8vRREs

Sign up for the newsletter to stay up to date in all things related to this project at https://www.singdemocracy250.org/.

Looking for more "Sing Democracy 250" details? Check these details:
Jonah Herzog (SD250 Program Associate) - [email protected]
Tina Sayers (SD250 - 50 States Program Director) - [email protected]

with regards from Gary Aamodt and Celia Ellingson (co-founders)

Website - singdemocracy250.org / Facebook / Instagram - @singdemocracy250

This episode was brought to you by our friends at Perform International. Tons of fabulous trips you can join in or plan one from scratch. Check them out at https://perform-international.com/.

Want to support the Music (ed) Matters Podcast AND get a special patron only bonus episode each month? Check out https://www.patreon.com/musicedmatters.

Choir, community, and more! Catch this story of how the Tacoma Refugee Choir got its start and where it has gone (and is going) from founder, Erin Guinup!

You can also watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/woMSUZ_UM-k

This episode was brought to you by our friends at Perform International. Tons of fabulous trips you can join in or plan one from scratch. Check them out at https://perform-international.com/.

Want to support the Music (ed) Matters Podcast AND get a special patron only bonus episode each month? Check out https://www.patreon.com/musicedmatters.

In this special bonus episode, Dr. Lynn Brinckmeyer shares her incredible pathway to teaching music and how she is giving back (and how you can take advantage of all the awesome things Dr. B has to offer!)

Find out more at Dr. Brinckmeyer's amazing website: https://brinckmeyer-enterprises.com/.

You can also watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/qZ4Ehdbgq6I

This episode was brought to you by our friends at Perform International. Tons of fabulous trips you can join in or plan one from scratch. Check them out at https://perform-international.com/.

Want to support the Music (ed) Matters Podcast AND get a special patron only bonus episode each month? Check out https://www.patreon.com/musicedmatters.

Looking for some FUN ideas and seeking ENERGY? This is a great episode to start with! Erik listened to the podcast a few episodes back with all my fav engagers and warm-ups and we are calling this the "follow-up" or level 2 :) Links and episode notes below - we hope you enjoy! (You can also watch this episode on YouTube https://youtu.be/oDbu9YCT-yE) 

Outline:

• CREDIT: Juliana Woodill and Luke Frels from Fairfax, VA

This episode was brought to you by our friends at Perform International. Tons of fabulous trips you can join in or plan one from scratch. Check them out at https://perform-international.com/.

Want to support the Music (ed) Matters Podcast AND get a special patron only bonus episode each month? Check out https://www.patreon.com/musicedmatters.

Earlier this year we started a little mini-series on avoiding burnout thanks to feedback we are hearing as part of ACDA’s Advocacy and Collaboration Standing Committee. The goal of these episodes is to provide our members and listeners with tools to avoid and overcome burnout - one of the leading causes to folks leaving our fabulous career. 

Part one, we talked about how to guard your time throughout different stages of your career. We continue that conversation in this episode, part two of two, where you’ll hear from Dr. Stephanie Robertson. We talk about the many tools and resources you can employ to manage your mental health - can’t wait to see which technique or tool you end up using to power through the fall! 

Stephanie Robertson, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Psychology and Director of the Child Center for Wellbeing at Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas. She has worked in public schools, non-profit institutions, and higher education for over fifteen years, with a focus on the wellbeing and healthy development of children. She researches the impact of invisible disabilities and student access to education at secondary and post-secondary levels. Her husband, Troy Robertson, PhD, is the Director of Choirs at Tarleton. He conducts Tarleton’s five choral ensembles, teaches conducting and choral methods, and supervises clinical teachers. He is also a composer whose works are published with Hinshaw Music, Santa Barbara Music Press, Colla Voce, and Music Spoke. They make their home in Stephenville with their ten-year-old son, Winton.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/8lgoFPv3tAE 

The Music (ed) Matters Podcast is sponsored by our friends over at Perform International. Thinking of going on tour domestically or abroad, want to take a solo tour, or team up with a dynamic festival? PI offers the best educationally sound and culturally significant experiences! Check them out, and tell them Emmy sent you :) Perform-International.com  

Order your copy of “The Business of Choir" - check out the website, businessofchoir.com. 

Join us over at Patreon.com/MusicEdMatters for monthly meet-ups, monthly bonus episodes, special content, and more!