Not Your Forte

Join Eric and Dr. Payne as they host a discussion about how we are continually adjusting to online classes. Joining us in our discussion is Dr. Alex Wimmer, the assistant director of bands at K-State, Billy Hatfield, a first year teacher of 5-12 Choirs in Hiawatha, KS and Haley Schwartz, a first year music education student at K-State. 

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In this time of social distancing, it can be hard to stay motivated, moving and positive. Join Eric as he interviews Dr. Matthew Arau on how the power of positivity and a shift to a growth mindset can help you be successful and healthy during these different times.

Dr. Matthew Arau is an Assistant Professor of Music, Chair of the Music Education Department and Associate Director of Bands at the Lawrence University Conservatory of Music. He conducts the Lawrence Symphonic Band and student and faculty chamber groups, guest conducts the Lawrence Wind Ensemble, supervises student teachers, and teaches Conducting and Instrumental Methods and Rehearsal Techniques I & II.

Arau has presented clinics on student leadership, rehearsal techniques, and unlocking potential at the following: The Midwest Clinic: An International Band and Orchestra Conference, the Western International Band Clinic, the American Band College of Sam Houston State University, the Conn-Selmer Institute, the Pan-Hellenic Wind Band Conference in Cyprus, the Colorado, Oregon, and Wisconsin Music Educators Association, Midwest Music Seminars, and universities and high schools around the country.  He teaches student leadership at the Metro-Capitol Leadership Academy in Sherwood, Oregon and the Colorado State University Band Leadership Academy in Ft. Collins, Colorado, and he is a Conn-Selmer Education Clinician. He conducts honor bands and honor jazz bands of all levels, is an active concert band, jazz band and marching band clinician, and has continued to be an active jazz and classical saxophonist throughout his teaching and academic career.

Arau earned a DMA in Instrumental Conducting and Literature from the University of Colorado Boulder, a Master of Science in Music from the American Band College at Southern Oregon University, and a Bachelor of Music in Music Performance, Jazz Studies and Music Education and a Bachelor of Arts in Government from Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin.

Prior to pursuing his doctoral degree, Arau was the Director of Bands at Loveland High School in Loveland, Colorado from 2005-2012 where he established the Leadership Symposium for the development of student leaders. The Loveland H.S. Wind Symphony was featured at the Western International Band Clinic (WIBC) in Seattle and two times at the Colorado Music Educators Association Convention. The Loveland Marching Band won the Colorado 4A State Marching Band Championship and the Class AA Championship at the Bands of America Super Regional in San Antonio, Texas. Arau began his teaching career in 1997 as the Director of Bands at Walt Clark Middle School in Loveland, Colorado. The Walt Clark Honor Band was featured at the Colorado Music Educators Association Convention in 2003.

Mr. Arau’s professional affiliations include the College Band Directors National Association, the National Association for Music Education and the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles. He is a past Western Region Representative of the American School Band Directors Association and Instrumental Representative of the Colorado Music Educators Association. His writings on music and music education are published in Conn-Selmer Touchpoint, Bandworld Magazine, and The Saxophone Journal.

Contact by e-mail: [email protected]
(bio courtesy of https://www.lawrence.edu)

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This week on Not Your Forte Podcast we check in on one of our current student teachers at K-State, Jacob Sweatt. Jacob Sweatt is currently a student teacher in the De Soto (KS) school district and soon to be music education graduate (with a choral emphasis). *NOTE* This interview was recorded prior to the COVID-19 social distancing/quarantine orders in the United States and some information may be a little bit dated in terms of some of the conversation topics. Additionally, starting this next week, Not Your Forte will be shifting to a weekly format with new episodes every Friday!Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/notyourfortepodcast)

Join Dr. Payne and Eric as we discuss the adjustments that music majors across the country will be facing amidst schools moving to online courses as a way to prevent the spread of COVID-19. While this will be a difficult transition for many, we at Not Your Forte believe that we can move forward stronger than ever!If you want to fill us in with how you or your university is handling this situation, contact us at [email protected].Support the show

Mental health is an issue that too often is brushed aside, especially in college. Dr. Payne's KMEA presentation looks to discuss the current state of mental health of music education majors and the impact of stressors on their schooling as well as their career aspirations. His goal will be to start a dialog on how to proactively address emerging issues in both schooling and their future profession.Dr. Payne's research presented in this presentation was possible with the help of his great team of KSU graduate students, Eric Thompson, Rachel Poss, RJ Leonard and Qing HuoSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/notyourfortepodcast)

Heading down to Wichita for the 2020 Kansas Music Educators Association's annual in service workshop and conference? Join Dr. Payne as he gives a joint presentation with Dr. Ruth Gurgel (Assistant Professor of Music Education, specialist in Elementary Music Education at Kansas State University) to the KSU chapter of NAfME Collegiate about the best ways to maximize your KMEA experience!Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/notyourfortepodcast)

Needing to know where to start when it comes to making your resume? Not sure what to expect when you go into your first job interview? Join Eric this week as he is joined not by Dr. Payne, but special guest, Frank Troyka. This episode is dedicated to helping you know everything that you need to prepare for gaining successful employment!Support the show

Join Dr. Payne and Eric this week as we discuss Aural Skills and why it is one of the most important things you learn in your undergrad. We are joined this week by a special guest, Grace Baugher. Grace is a current graduate student at Kansas state and an up and coming composer! You can find out more on Grace and her compositions on her website: https://www.gracebaughermusic.com/. Over the course of the episode we will discuss why aural skills is important and provide some tips for how to best practice for the class and pass your proficiency!Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/notyourfortepodcast)

Not Your Forte Podcast is back and ready for a brand new season! Dr. Payne and Eric are beyond excited to discuss a variety of fun topics throughout the season. First off we start by talking about basics of getting back to school as well as the benefits of organizational involvement. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/notyourfortepodcast)

As the semester winds down, Dr. Payne and Eric take the opportunity to talk about how to best prepare for student teaching as well as try to alleviate some common concerns that you might have. We will also talk about finals week and how to finish the semester on top!Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/notyourfortepodcast)