Dr. Daniel Johnson, editor of the new two-volume publication Music Education in Rural America, joins us to explore the unique landscape of rural music programs. We examine both the challenges and the often-overlooked strengths of these communities, and share practical insights on how educators can leverage those strengths to build thriving, sustainable programs.

On this edition of Take Note, we talk with Marko Marcinko, the Founder and Artistic Director of the Pennsylvania Jazz Alliance. We learn about the Pennsylvania Jazz Alliance and their plans to help celebrate America 250 throughout Pennsylvania.

You may have heard about music therapy but do you really know what the field is and how to enter it? We're joined by Dr. Nicole Hahna and Madison Frank to talk about this field and the state of music therapy licensure in Pennsylvania.

Marissa Guarriello joins us to talk about the her career path, Musikfest, and the Musikfest Music Industry Conference happening this August. Learn about some great opportunities for music students, educators, and members of the music industry.

During the 2026 PMEA Conference, we talked with the 2026 PMEA Outstanding Superintendent - Krista Mathias from the Somerset Area School District. Learn about her district, her support for music education, and advice for other superintendents on how to support music education in any school.

We're joined by Ethan Hsu who is a Pennsylvania high school junior. Ethan is already composing orchestral works and we talk with him at Heinz Hall in Pittsburgh just after the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra performed one of his works.

We're talking with the two candidates for PMEA President-Elect - Susan Basalik and Chad Toporski.

We conclude our series getting ready for the 2026 PMEA All-State Festival by talking with the conductors of all seven All-State ensembles. Today we talk with Kaitlin Bove, All-State Wind Ensemble Conductor and Jeff Gershman, All-State Concert Band Conductor. Learn about the musical programs and what student participants can expect.

We continue our series getting ready for the 2026 PMEA All-State Festival by talking with the conductors of all seven All-State ensembles. Today we talk with Paul Shewan, All-State Orchestra Conductor and Brian Winnie, All-State Chorus Conductor. Learn about the musical programs and what student participants can expect.

Bob Morrison is someone so many in the music education world know for his work in advocacy and arts education data. We talk with Bob about those topics and his fascinating career path.