Want to know why you feel hopeful, optimistic, and all-over wonderful when you’re listening to the latest album by The Aeolians from Oakwood University? In this episode, their director and visionary, Dr. Jason Max Ferdinand shares the secret….empathy. Dr. Ferdinand shares his story that lead to his career in choir and how his reflections during the pandemic offer us all insight to answer the questions: “How can we infuse empathy into your musical world and why is empathy important?” Ready to create meaningful, impactful moments and musical experiences? We can do this, Dr. Ferdinand shares how and why!

Read more about Dr. Jason Max Ferdinand: https://jmaxmusic.com/

Who are The Aeolians: https://www2.oakwood.edu/the-aeolians/

The latest album by The Aeolians (Available on all streaming platforms or directly from GIA) https://www.giamusic.com/store/resource/aeolians-recording-recording-cd1087

*Show music originally written by Mr. Todd Monsell

**Show photography provided by Dr. Dan Biggerstaff

We are all looking for music that will offer opportunities for musical growth, artistry, community, and conversation….virtually, f2f, or hybrid….repertoire planning is a little different this year. In this repertoire exploration episode, composer/educator Matt Carlson has some musical options that provide all of the above for a variety of voicing. In this episode, Matt shares how he got into composition, how challenging yourself makes you stronger and more capable, and the ways he uses music and text to create a variety of opportunities for every singer. Matt is an awesome collaborator and you can hear his passion for providing music for all singers in this episode.

Explore Matt Carlson’s Music: http://www.mattcarlson.co/music.html

*Show music originally written by Mr. Todd Monsell (with this week’s special ending version arranged by Matt Carlson!)

**Show photography provided by Dr. Dan Biggerstaff

Surprise! More from this week’s guest, Denise Eaton. Tuesday’s episode shred tips for thriving in and reaching your teaching goals. This episode is all about sequencing and offers a ton of ideas for creative repetition and artistic learning. Denise Eaton brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to us in this episode. An educator of 34 years (HS and college) and the current choral editor at Carl Fischer and BriLee Music, Mrs. Eaton has also co-authored 6 Sight-reading books and edited numerous other resources. A frequent presenter (and lovingly known as a choir Queen in Texas), she has created and presented over 50 workshops/sessions on a variety of subjects. “Eaton’s Order of Events to Successful Sequential Teaching” offers a plethora of ideas for repetition and artistry from the very beginning of the learning process. (Note, this is a rebroadcast from the Patreon page and Teacher PD Week - it was the episode with the most votes from attendees when asked the question, “What will you implement first after everything we learned in PD Week?”)

More about and from Denise Eaton here - http://Deniseeaton.com

Handout available here — EmmyBurch.org/podcast

Hear replays from Teacher PD Week: Patreon.com/MusicEdMatters

Contact Dr. Burch with questions: EmilyBurch.org/Contact

*Show music originally written by Mr. Todd Monsell

**Show photography provided by Dr. Dan Biggerstaff

"Back to School" pics are all over social media, it may not feel like fall, but classes are starting back up and teachers/directors are seeking ideas and making plans for a variety of teaching and rehearsing situations. In a time that is already crammed with a little crazy, this episode offers tangible resources and thoughts to be your most effective teaching self. A fourteen step conversation from choral editor, retired high school teacher and superstar presenter from Texas, Denise Eaton. “It Takes a Thief: To Become and Effective Teacher” includes tips, non-negotiable guidelines, strategies, and techniques you can employ in online or in person teaching experiences. Whether you’re looking for a refresher, new ideas, or just beginning your teaching journey, this episode is packed full of useful suggestions and entertaining conversation.

More about and from Denise Eaton here - http://Deniseeaton.com

Handout available here — EmmyBurch.org/podcast

*Show music originally written by Mr. Todd Monsell

**Show photography provided by Dr. Dan Biggerstaff

After a fantastic week of learning, sharing, creating, and brainstorming, some of the PD Week attendees wanted to share their best “questions” and biggest “take-aways” with you. In this episode, your host, Dr. Emily Williams Burch, brings you these questions, answers, and epiphanies…along with how to build your elevator pitch and highlight your why! If you want to hear more, you can still access all 15 episodes of PD Week at Patreon.com/MusicEdMatters for as long as you’re a Patron. Hope you enjoy these nuggets of fun from your colleagues and friends in the music education world after our first-ever “Music (ed) Matters” Teacher PD Week!

Links from the episode: https://www.wsav.com/news/local-news/savannah-based-chorus-group-gets-national-recognition-for-virtual-model/

Patreon.com/MusicEdMatters

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*Show music originally written by Mr. Todd Monsell

**Show photography provided by Dr. Dan Biggerstaff

This is a mash-up of 5 (well, actually 6) episode snippets from the 15 episodes that are part of the “Music (ed) Matters” Teacher PD week happening at Patreon.com/MusicEdMatters. These snippets cover all five themes of PD week: vocal technique, rehearsal and virtual teaching methods, the things we might not have learned in school, getting organized, and leadership into the next steps. Let us know what you think of this kind of episode. It was a fun one to make just for you!

Sign up for Teacher PD Week: Patreon.com/MusicEdMatters

Explore notes and infographics for Teacher PD Week on link above or see the materials at EmilyBurch.org/podcast.

*Show music originally written by Mr. Todd Monsell

**Show photography provided by Dr. Dan Biggerstaff

Dr. Marshaun R. Hymon asked the question, “How does choir impact young Black men?” based on his life experience and the impact choir had on him. What Dr. Hymon found provides us with tangible things we can do to create the space, respect, opportunities, and experiences to allow for our singers to be their most authentic selves. This episode is designed to give you time to think and find ways to implement “catalysts of change” in your choir classroom. As Dr. Hymon says towards the end of this episode - “You have the power!”

Read more about Dr. Hymon: www.marshaunrhymon.com

Sign up for Teacher PD Week: Patreon.com/MusicEdMatters

*Show music originally written by Mr. Todd Monsell

**Show photography provided by Dr. Dan Biggerstaff

Dr. Hymon’s Bio:

Dr. Marshaun R. Hymon currently serves as Program Manager and Regional Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) for Year Up. In this role, Marshaun works to "close the opportunity divide" by overseeing organizational performance and staff professional coaching. Additionally, in collaboration with the region’s DEI Leadership Teams, he works to create more inclusive spaces and equitable practices within the region. Most recently, Marshaun was invited to deliver a DEI training for the California All-State Educator’s Association conference, and was featured on the Los Angeles based Podcast, Motivation for Black People.

Prior to joining Year Up, he served as a Student Success Advisor in the office of Student Onboarding at Florida State College at Jacksonville, where he worked with students as they transitioned into post-secondary education. Marshaun began his career as a music educator, and has served in many capacities with the Tallahassee, Savannah and Jacksonville Children's Choir. Marshaun also served as a Director of Choral Activities for the Flagler County School District.

Outside of his current work with Year Up, Marshaun is the Principal Consultant for Hymon Consulting Group, LLC. He most recently finished a consulting contract with the Getty Museum & Trust where he develop equity-focused programming for their summer internship programs. He is now on contract with One Workplace supporting in developing organizational DEI strategy. Marshaun is an Assistant Professor at West Los Angeles College, where he teaches college, career and employment readiness courses.

Dr. Hymon earned a Bachelor of Music in Choral Music Education from Florida State University and a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of West Florida. Marshaun received his Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of California, Los Angeles. His research interests are race in America, identity development and the impact of music on the schooling success of young Black men. Marshaun looks forward to presenting his research at the 2021 American Choral Directors Association National Conference.

Looking for music this fall? Perhaps it’s time to live into the storyteller you really are and build a concert structure based on telling that story. Not quite sure what we mean by that? Josh Pedde, Artistic Director of the Indianapolis Children’s Choir, is a storytelling genius! His ideas for new ways to structure concerts and weave music into an entire experience for both singers and audience really helps you analyze your why and present the most engaging and impactful concert experience. In a time where we have to all be advocates for our programs, this episode helps you unpack your “why” and select the best music to share that story.

Have you signed up for “Music (ed) Matters” Patreon Teacher PD Week? The first week of of August is right around the corner, we hope you can join us! During Teacher PD Week, you’ll get a whole week of extra episodes daily, virtual real-time meet ups daily, and access to the content, both audio and video sessions ALL-YEAR! Episodes and real-time sessions will include topics such as vocal techniques for changing voices for both male and female voices, methods for new perspectives on sequencing both in person and virtual, business management resources to get your space organized, advocacy and recruitment strategies, and more! Sign-up today at Patreon.com/musicedmatters or check our flyers and info graphics on social media (@DrEmmmyB and Facebook/EmilyWilliamsBurch). We hope to see you there!

Links from Episode:

Josh Pedde Bio https://icchoir.org/pedde-bio/

“Music (ed) Matters” Patreon Teacher PD Week Patreon.com/musicedmatters

*Show music originally written by Mr. Todd Monsell

**Show photography provided by Dr. Dan Biggerstaff

This episode is a rebroadcast from a special episode on the Patreon page. Sit back and have a conversation with your host, Dr. Emily Williams Burch, as she shares the reasoning behind Patreon.com/MusicEdMatters and more details about Teacher PD Week - August 3-7, 2020.

Read more about Dr. Burch: EmilyBurch.org

Sign up for Teacher PD Week: Patreon.com/MusicEdMatters

Contact Dr. Burch with questions: EmilyBurch.org/Contact

*Show music originally written by Mr. Todd Monsell

**Show photography provided by Dr. Dan Biggerstaff

Everyone goes through tough times and experiences hard things. Those are the moments that define us as we pick ourselves back up and keep going. They are the stories and bruises we come back stronger from. Originally, this interview, with the talented Robyn Lana of the Cincinnati Youth Choir, was simply her sharing the story of her health crisis and how she overcame the shock, treatment, and is now 100%. Then it hit me….Robyn’s health crisis is not unlike what we are all experiencing right now. She unexpectedly lost the ability to do what we love, to be in rehearsals, provide stellar concerts, and live life emerged in music. Her willingness to unpack the story of overcoming this health shock and crisis offers us tangible insight and suggestions for how we can all get through this tricky time and emerge stronger and better in the journey and on the other side. Thank you for sharing your story Robyn - this is by far one of the more emotional episodes I’ve ever recorded and I simply can’t wait to hear what you think!

Looking for a community to bounce ideas off of and prepare for the fall together? Have you signed up for “Music (ed) Matters” Patreon Teacher PD Week? The first week of August is right around the corner, we hope you can join us! During Teacher PD Week, you’ll get a whole week of extra episodes daily, virtual real-time meetups daily, and access to the content, both audio and video sessions ALL-YEAR! Episodes and real-time sessions will include topics such as vocal techniques for changing voices for both male and female voices, methods for new perspectives on sequencing both in-person and virtual, business management resources to get your space organized, advocacy, and recruitment strategies, and more! Sign-up today at Patreon.com/musicedmatters or check our flyers and infographics on social media (@DrEmmmyB and Facebook/EmilyWilliamsBurch). We hope to see you there!

Links from Episode:

Robyn Lana Bio http://www.cincinnatichoir.org/bio-robyn-reeves-lana-2/

“Music (ed) Matters” Patreon Teacher PD Week Patreon.com/musicedmatters

*Theme music adapted from a score by Todd Monsell

**Photgraphs provided by Dan Biggerstaff Photography