In “The Dr. is in” episodes, your host, Dr. Emily Williams Burch answers listener questions on a host of things from music ed questions to music theory and music history and sometimes just life in general. Today, the Dr. is answering the question “now what?” While researching and preparing for this episode, Dr. Burch had the epiphany that what lies ahead is not unlike starting your first job. You all remember it - that first job - the unknown, the fears, the confidence, the growth. In light of that epiphany, this Q&A session features a convo with somewhat who JUST finished that first year on the job. Emma Huennekens graduated with a Bachelors in Music from Georgia Southern University in May of 2019 and just finished her first year on the job. We talk about the first job, things you wish you knew, what is scary about the unknown, how do you fill gaps and find confidence to pave your own path….and how all of this relate to right now?

Join us for a week of “Music (ed) Matters” Patreon Teacher PD Weeks the first week of August 2020. 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:

Emma Huennekens Bio https://risechorales.com/rise-team/

“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

In this episode, we hear from choral director, teacher, composer, and commercial music guru Dr. Kevin Padworski. Dr. Padworski explains how you can use free online tools to create meaningful and unique projects for your choir folks. His positive approach, engaging energy, and unique background make this episode fun and full of tips. You too can learn exactly what it looks like when "energy follows passion."

Speaking of tips and energy, if you’re looking for a place to enhance your teaching tips and energize your teacher-self before the 2020/21 school year, we promised you a big announcement this week and here it is: “Music (ed) Matters” Patreon Teacher PD Week!!! That’s right! 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:

Dr. Kevin Padworski’s Bio - https://kevinpadworski.com/bio/

Lesson Plan Ideas from Dr. Padworski - https://tinyurl.com/episode12lessonplanideas

*Show music originally written by Mr. Todd Monsell

**Show photography provided by Dr. Dan Biggerstaff

What do we as choral directors and teachers need to know about copyright? Who do we ask? This interview with Savannah, GA Lawyer, Mills Fleming, offers insight and suggestions as we all learn more about the world of choir in our new unknown. Think of this conversation as a review of the one or two days you had about copyright in choral methods back in the day and ideas for how to move forward as you plan music and performances for the coming year, either in person or virtually.

Links from Episode

Bio for Mills Fleming: https://www.huntermaclean.com/attorney/t-mills-fleming/

Replay of Facebook Live “Copyright for Virtual Choirs” by Matt Workman and ChorAmor: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=727578331392449\

Article explaining details of the Tom Petty story from the interview: https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.cnn.com/cnn/2020/06/21/politics/tom-petty-trump-cease-and-desist-trnd/index.html

List of “Who to contact” in the publishing world (thanks to ChorAmor): https://www.choramor.com/copyright-resources

*Show music originally written by Mr. Todd Monsell

**Show photography provided by Dr. Dan Biggerstaff

This repertoire exploration episode is extra special! Today we take a deep dive into the research of non-idiomatic choral music by Black composers with conductor/researcher Dr. Marques Garrett. In our conversation, we talk about how he got interested in this research topic, what he hopes to accomplish with his online database, and what we as singers, conductors, and teachers can learn from the research. As part of the repertoire exploration, Dr. Garrett even gives us a glimpse into a few of his favorite composers and their compositions.

Links from the Episode:

Dr. Garrett’s Bio: https://www.mlagmusic.com/bio

Online database of non-idiomatic music by Black composers: https://www.mlagmusic.com/research/beyond-elijah-rock

*Show music originally written by Mr. Todd Monsell

**Show photography provided by Dr. Dan Biggerstaff

Does one really just wake up one day with thousands of subscribers and followers on YouTube? Is there a secret formula for creating content in the music world to become a rock-star influencer? Are there things you need to do before starting your own channel? NO!! You just need to be you and be willing to have fun and learn through the process. That is exactly what Dr. Roger Hale talks about today in this “teaching tip.” Dr. Hale’s sense of humor and light hearted approach to video content will leave you empowered and smiling. You can do this!

Links from Episode:

Read more about Dr. Hale https://music.dixie.edu/music-faculty/roger-hale/

Subscribe to Dr. Hale’s Channel on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyrpCduEp6H61SvacMtq3dw

Explore more of Dr. Hale’s technologies and teaching tools: https://solfasinger.com and https://drrogerhale.wixsite.com/home

With summer officially here, what better time to think about summer reading books? This episode features two of the best music educators, conductors, researchers, and authors. Their latest book offers insight into not only the life of Dr. Clifford K. Madsen but tangible teaching Insights you can immediately apply to your teaching. While we unpack the book, we also talk about writing inspiration, getting an idea off the ground, and the feelings of creating and sharing a final product. Whether you’re looking for a new book or ready to tackle a big project, this conversation is for you.

Link to Book:

https://www.routledge.com/Clifford-K-Madsens-Contributions-to-Music-Education-and-Music-Therapy/Napoles-MacLeod/p/book/9780367857752

Dr. Nápoles Bio:

https://music.unt.edu/faculty-and-staff/jessica-napoles

Dr. MacLeod Bio:

https://vpa.uncg.edu/home/directory/bio-rebeccamacleod

*Show music originally written by Mr. Todd Monsell

**Show photography provided by Dr. Dan Biggerstaff

What is the definition of “advocacy?” How does “Big ‘A’ Advocacy” and “Little ‘a’ advocacy” differ? Who advocates for music? How do we advocate? What do I need to do to advocate for my program? This conversation with professor/author Dr. Lynn Brinckmeyer unpacks all of these questions and offers ideas for how we all can get active advocating. The best part - you’re already doing it! Dr. Brinckmeyer talks about why she wrote the book, “Advocate for Music!” and what ideas and techniques she recommends us all to use right now. We hope you leave this episode inspired, motivated, and excited — and if you need help, we are here for you! Check out all these links below.

Links from Episode:

Bio for Dr. Lynn Brinckmeyer - https://global.oup.com/us/companion.websites/9780190219154/author/

Link to the book - https://global.oup.com/us/companion.websites/9780190219154/book/

Using companion site - https://global.oup.com/us/advocateformusic

Link to “What we CAN do Webinar” - https://youtu.be/lhXpCQlpE3M

Link to send “letter” to congress - https://www.votervoice.net/NAFME/campaigns/73881/respond

ACDA Advocacy and Collaboration Committee Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1331428610259287/

Email Dr. Brinckmeyer - [email protected]

*Show music originally written by Mr. Todd Monsell

**Show photography provided by Dr. Dan Biggerstaff

We’ve all had those ideas....you know the ones where you need a community behind you to make it happen...the ones that, once they get rolling, you can’t imagine your world without it? That, my friends, is “ChorAmor.” The brainchild of Dr. Troy Robertson, this “coalition of conductors, teachers, and singers who sing for love of choral music, for the community and beauty choral music brings to our lives.” In this Episode, Dr. Robertson explains where the idea came from, who is involved, and what the coalition offers the choral world. This episode will offer you ideas, resources, and an example of a big dream coming into existence.

ChorAmor Website: ChorAmor.com

Check out their mission and vision and membership, resources, trainings, and performance opportunities there!

ChorAmor Membership Form: https://forms.gle/WQu7UZ73rTiGG8GK8

*Show music originally written by Mr. Todd Monsell

**Show photography provided by Dr. Dan Biggerstaff

In this “teaching tip,” we discuss the place that thematic programming has within your choral environment. Starting with an understanding of what you want your students to learn (and why that is important) is key, and can drive the thematic choice for curricula and concerts. For instance: as choral educators we teach listening on a regular basis from a technical standpoint, but how can we  teach singers to listen to someone with a different idea?  Themes can help us teach our singers to be better human beings through the vehicle of music.  We teach them discipline and skill development through technique and performance practice, knowledge of music through form and analysis, and  critical thinking, understanding of ethos, and a connection to the world outside of themselves as singers explore why we make the choices we make and, furthermore, why this matters.

The tip here is how a theme can be a lens through which you explore topics larger than the music or its text. When selecting repertoire, consider things like the function of community within your group, events and issues in the larger world, and what your students need to learn to be critical thinkers and productive members of society. Repertoire selection matters deeply and takes time - there is no shortcut. Look for music that augments its text; a composition should be an alchemy of the two, making the finished product more than the sum of its parts.  Concert themes can be built around sometimes difficult questions and can lead to a wide range of learning outcomes for singers and audience members.  We discuss the selection of pieces that fit an overall curriculum; although there might be several options that can accomplish pedagogically what is desired, it's important to ask “which composition does it best?”  We also discuss social/emotional learning and how the study of music can truly help all of us navigate relationships. And overall…..the importance of giving yourself time and space to create, imagine, and look for repertoire that can do the heavy lifting. 

Link to materials discussed in this episode:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1W2zL9bOBdBELrDM8cGcq1IUp5JfnS655?usp=sharing

Karen Bruno’s Bio: https://www.lawrence.edu/s/academy/about/faculty/administrative-staff/node/9690

*Show music originally written by Mr. Todd Monsell

**Show photography provided by Dr. Dan Biggerstaff

What happens with two podcasters get together and just talk? Creativity, easy conversation, and new ideas! This episode looks at how Choralosophy host, Chris Munce, plans to be “doing choir” in the fall. We talk about some of the concerns about equity, hit on a couple unanswered questions, and make connections between the worlds of community, school, and university life. I hope this episode gets your creative ideas going, gives you hope, and entertains you!

Note: This episode also appears on The Choralosophy Podcast. Check it out and see how different hosts take on different features in the same conversation. I really enjoyed this conversation with Chris and look forward to more of these in the future.

Hear more from Choralosophy https://choralosophy.com

Support “Music (ed) Matters” https://www.patreon.com/musicedmatters

*Show music originally written by Mr. Todd Monsell

**Show photography provided by Dr. Dan Biggerstaff