That Music Podcast: A Podcast for Elementary Music Teachers

In this week’s episode of That Music Podcast, Bryson dives into a practical conversation about finding and focusing on your non-negotiables. With a relatable, down-to-earth approach, he guides you through identifying those must-do tasks that keep us grounded, especially when the demands of teaching pile up. Bryson challenges you to cut through the noise and prioritize what truly matters—without sacrificing well-being in the process. Get ready to rethink how you spend your time and gain some insights on protecting your energy for the things that make the biggest impact in and out of the classroom.

Episode Chapters:

0:00 Introduction

 2:24 The Rocks Principle

 5:36 Applying the Rocks Principle

 7:00 Takeaways

Links and Resources: 

Have questions or want to share feedback? Reach out to us at [email protected] - we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode of That Music Podcast, Bryson gets real about the challenges of balancing it all as a music teacher. He dives into the realities of burnout, offering refreshing advice on setting boundaries, focusing on what matters, and letting go of the pressure to be perfect. Tune in for an honest, empowering conversation on how to stay passionate about teaching without sacrificing your well-being.

Episode Chapters:

0:00 Introduction

 1:06 Let The Ball Drop

 7:12 Takeaways

Links and Resources: 

Ready to thrive in the classroom and beyond? In this episode of That Music Podcast, Bryson welcomes teacher empowerment coach Grace Stevens for an inspiring conversation about achieving true work-life balance as an educator. Grace opens up about her path from corporate burnout to classroom fulfillment and shares practical tips to help you reclaim your time, reduce stress, and bring renewed energy to your teaching.

Together, they bust the myth of perfection and discuss how to make intentional choices, set boundaries, and integrate personal passions—all without sacrificing joy. Whether you’re looking to feel recharged or simply seeking a fresh perspective on your teaching career, this episode is packed with actionable steps and insights you won’t want to miss!

Episode Chapters:

0:00 Introduction

 4:24 Busting the Myth of Work-Life Balance

 6:45 Common Misconceptions

 11:48 Grace's Unique Approach to Finding Balance

 15:41 The Power of Leaving Work at Work

 22:34 Grace's Top 3 Tips for Taking Control

 28:24 Takeaways

Links and Resources: 

Have questions or want to share feedback? Reach out to us at [email protected] - we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode of That Music Podcast, Bryson shares one of his favorite classroom hacks: a simple yet powerful 4-point rubric that he uses for every type of assessment in his music classroom. From vocal performance to rhythm and everything in between, this universal rubric helps him assess consistently and efficiently, all while gathering meaningful insights into student progress. Bryson explains how this streamlined system works, why it’s so effective, and how you can use it to simplify your assessments without sacrificing depth. He also offers tips on addressing administrator concerns and using the data to show how much your students are learning. If you’re looking for a way to make assessments easier and more impactful, this episode is a must-listen!

Episode Chapters:

0:00 Introduction

 2:09 The Benefits of a Universal Rubric

 2:54 Bryson’s Four-Point Rubric

 4:33 Addressing Administrative Concerns

 7:29 Takeaways

Links and Resources: 

Have questions or want to share feedback? Reach out to us at [email protected] - we’d love to hear from you!

This week’s episode features a replay of the live Q&A panel from the Middle School Music Summit. Bryson is joined by fellow music educators, Alessandra Santaguida and Amy Burns, to dive into the top challenges middle school music teachers face today. The panel discusses strategies for engaging reluctant learners, incorporating non-vocal activities, and using technology effectively in resource-limited settings.

The conversation also touches on AI’s role in music education, differentiating instruction for diverse classrooms, and even offers tips for band teachers transitioning to a singing-focused curriculum. Whether you're looking for fresh ideas or practical advice, this episode has something for every middle school music educator.

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Episode Chapters:

0:00 Introduction

 3:02 Engaging Reluctant Learners

 8:10 Assessing and Building on Prior Student Knowledge

 13:37 Incorporating Non-Vocal Activities in the Music Classroom

 18:07 Leveraging Technology with Limited Resources

 21:16 Addressing the Role of AI in Music Education 

 28:20 Differentiating Instruction for Middle School Students

 31:58 Transitioning to a Singing Focus as a Band-Trained Teacher

 35:03 Takeaways

Links and Resources: 

Have questions or want to share feedback? Reach out to us at [email protected] - we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode of That Music Podcast, Bryson Tarbet chats with the amazing Alessandra Santaguida about the transformative power of project-based learning in the middle school general music classroom.

Alessandra shares her incredible insights on how project-based learning can engage even the most challenging middle schoolers, making them active participants in their own education. She breaks down what project-based learning really means and how it fosters student autonomy, competence, and a sense of connection—all vital ingredients for boosting intrinsic motivation.

Get ready for a sneak peek into one of Alessandra's favorite projects: a music-themed podcast where students explore topics they’re truly passionate about! She also offers practical tips for educators eager to dive into project-based learning, including how to start small, set clear expectations, and navigate the dynamics of the classroom.

This episode is a must-listen for any elementary or middle school music teacher looking for fresh, student-centered strategies to reinvigorate their curriculum.

Don’t miss Alessandra's upcoming presentation on project-based learning at the Middle School Music Summit—you won’t want to miss it! Click Here To Get Your Free Ticket

Episode Chapters:

0:00 Introduction

 2:42 Understanding the Struggles of Middle School General Music Teachers

 7:01 How Project-Based Learning Can Help

 11:20 Practical Tips for Teachers

 21:16 The Middle School Music Summit™

 22:40 Takeaways

Links and Resources: 

Have questions or want to share feedback? Reach out to us at [email protected] - we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode of That Music Podcast, Bryson tackles one of the biggest challenges for music teachers – classroom storage! From keeping track of all those manipulatives to making sure your space stays functional and clutter-free, Bryson’s sharing his go-to strategies for organizing your hands-on resources. Whether it’s affordable plastic bins or scrapbook boxes, he’s got tips to help you sort by concept, keep centers prepped, and, most importantly, actually find what you need when you need it! Packed with practical ideas, this episode is all about making your classroom storage work for you. Get ready to declutter and get organized!

Episode Chapters:

0:00 Introduction

 2:47 Shoebox Storage for Centers

 3:55 Scrapbook Boxes for Organization

 5:45 Bonus: Dry-Erase Protectors

 6:22 Craft Boxes for Manipulatives

 7:49 Bonus: Developing a Storage Strategy

 8:59 Takeaways

Links and Resources: 

Have questions or want to share feedback? Reach out to us at [email protected] - we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode of That Music Podcast, we're diving into the world of centers in the elementary music classroom with special guest Becca Davis. Becca shares her go-to strategies for using centers to engage students, differentiate instruction, and—let’s be honest—give us teachers a little breather during lessons. We’ll chat about the big benefits of centers, how to keep students on task, and tips for managing all the prep and organization. Becca also tackles one of the toughest parts: letting go of control and trusting students to work independently. If you’ve ever been curious about trying centers in your classroom, this conversation is packed with practical advice and encouragement to give it a go.

Episode Chapters:

0:00 Introduction

 4:10 Defining Centers in the Music Classroom

 10:04 Benefits of Using Centers

 13:43 Addressing Common Challenges

 30:38 Becca’s Masterclass on Centers

 32:01 Takeaways

Links and Resources: 

Have questions or want to share feedback? Reach out to us at [email protected] - we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode of That Music Podcast, Bryson dives into a challenge most teachers can relate to: managing an overwhelming inbox. From practical tips on streamlining your emails to strategies for getting closer to the elusive Inbox Zero, this episode is packed with useful advice to help you stay organized and stress-free. Whether you’re someone who has thousands of unread emails or you feel uneasy unless your inbox is completely clear, Bryson shares actionable steps that will transform how you handle those daily messages. Tune in for some fresh perspectives and a more organized inbox!

Episode Chapters:

0:00 Introduction

 2:38 Tip 1

 4:12 Tip 2

 5:22 Bonus Tip

 5:58 Tip 3

 7:17 Tip 4

 8:28 Tip 5

 9:08 Managing a Full Inbox

 10:21 Takeaways

Links and Resources: 

Have questions or want to share feedback? Reach out to us at [email protected] - we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode, Bryson shares a game-changing executive functioning hack that has streamlined his work as a business owner and could transform your classroom, too—project management software! Bryson explains how tools like Asana (his go-to), Trello, or Google Tasks can help keep track of lesson plans, performances, and other classroom responsibilities, so you can spend more time doing what matters. Whether you're managing concerts, lesson plans, or communications, Bryson offers practical tips on how to set up and customize project management to meet your needs. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the chaos of keeping it all together, this episode will help you stay organized and on top of your game.

Episode Chapters:

0:00 Introduction

 1:23 The Benefits of Using Project Management Software

 3:49 Ways To Use It

 6:34 Bryson’s Recommendations

 9:20 Takeaways

Links and Resources: 

Have questions or want to share feedback? Reach out to us at [email protected] - we’d love to hear from you!