Thanks for joining us for Episode 29 of the Welcome to Music Podcast!

In this episode, Susie continues her chat with the incredibly creative and dedicated Bill Henry — known to many as Mr. Henry — a full-time elementary music educator based in the U.S. Bill shares how he balances his busy teaching schedule with a thriving creative life, rising at 4am each day to dedicate three solid hours to producing engaging music education content.

Using tools like Logic Pro and Final Cut Pro, Bill crafts fun and educational videos for his popular YouTube channel, Mr. Henry’s Music World, and talks us through some of his personal favorites. We also dive into his top-rated Music Podcast for Kids — a brilliant resource for classroom use or for when you have a substitute teacher — as well as his recorder, ukulele, and piano programs designed specifically for young learners. This episode is full of practical inspiration for music teachers everywhere!

To view the blog notes for this episode, click here!

Thanks for joining us for Episode 28 of the Welcome to Music Podcast!

In this episode, Susie chats with the incredibly creative and dedicated Bill Henry — known to many as Mr. Henry — a full-time elementary music educator based in the U.S. Bill shares how he balances his busy teaching schedule with a thriving creative life, rising at 4am each day to dedicate three solid hours to producing engaging music education content.

Using tools like Logic Pro and Final Cut Pro, Bill crafts fun and educational videos for his popular YouTube channel, Mr. Henry’s Music World, and talks us through some of his personal favorites. We also dive into his top-rated Music Podcast for Kids — a brilliant resource for classroom use or for when you have a substitute teacher — as well as his recorder, ukulele, and piano programs designed specifically for young learners. This episode is full of practical inspiration for music teachers everywhere!

To view the blog notes for this episode, click here!

Thanks for joining us for Episode 27 of the Welcome to Music Podcast! In this episode, Susie chats with Stacy Werner (Education Director for Musicplay Online MPO) and Carey-Lyn Gould (CEO of Themes & Variations Inc.) 

Join us for an inspiring conversation as Stacy and Carey-Lyn share their journey into MusicPlayOnline — the widely loved Canadian-American digital platform for elementary music educators — and how they stepped into leadership following the unexpected passing of founder Denise Gagne. They reflect on continuing Denise’s legacy, their commitment to music advocacy, the creation of the Denise Gagne Memorial Society Fund, and their vision for the future. You'll also hear about upcoming events, about MPO’s 10th Anniversary, and their favourite teaching resources.

Don’t miss this heartfelt and insightful episode and receive a one-month FREE subscription to MusicPlayOnline (instructions on the blog notes - link below)! 

To view the blog notes for this episode, click here!

Thanks for joining us for Episode 26 of the Welcome to Music Podcast! In this episode, Susie chats with Bryson Tarbet — passionate music educator, founder of That Music Teacher, and creator of the Elementary Music Summit in the USA. Bryson is dedicated to creating more accessible music classrooms, drawing on his own experience as a neurodiverse individual. Much of his work centres around supporting teachers through professional development and coaching, particularly in building systems that simplify lesson planning, unpack pedagogical concepts from repertoire, and bring more joy to both teaching and learning.

This inspiring conversation follows Bryson’s professional journey and how it led him to working full-time in his business. He shares practical strategies for making classrooms more inclusive — from offering noise-cancelling headphones and fidgets, to being mindful of environmental factors like fluorescent lighting. Bryson also highlights valuable resources including the Purposeful Pathways series by Beth Ann Hepburn and Roger Sams, a lesson plan template, and a free Music Without Barriers Guide for inclusive teaching. Plus, he gives us a sneak peek into the upcoming Elementary Music Summit — a five-day online professional learning event for music educators happening in mid-July.

And excitingly, Susie will be presenting a session at the Summit titled Sing It, Say It, Dance It, Play It — an Orff-based approach that integrates speech, song, story, body percussion, movement, and percussion instruments. More details coming soon!

You won’t want to miss this inspiring and insightful episode — it’s full of practical ideas you can use right away in your music classroom.

Go to welcometomusicpodcast.net/ to listen to the podcast and find a summary as part of the blog. You can also find the podcast on Apple Music, Spotify and the streaming services.

To view the blog notes for this episode, click here!

Join Susie for Episode 25 as she shares ‘Call and Response Songs – Part 3’ with three more fabulous pieces for a range of ages up to 12 years.

1. Here we go Zoodio - A traditional African American street song, line and partner dance. Arranged and recorded by Susie and Phil and suitable for 5-10 years
2. Ndinani Na - A bright and simple African call and response song that originates from Zimbabwe, Africa. It has simple vocal harmonies, encourages vocal improvisation and has a percussion arrangement. Arranged and recorded by Susie and Phil and suitable for all ages
3. Tideo is a lively, engaging call-and-response, action song and dance with two different versions that can be adapted for various age groups. It combines singing, movement, and instrumental play, making it a versatile learning tool for rhythm, coordination, and musical expression. Arranged and recorded by Susie and Phil and suitable for 3-10 years

A call and response song is where a leader sings the call, and the group answer with a response which is usually the same or may have 2 slightly different responses. The call is usually different and often improvised.

This follows the ‘Suite of Songs’ journey which includes echo and cumulative songs, call and response songs and will be continued with partner songs and rounds. Songs that use these various techniques provide an inclusive setting allowing kids to have instant success, sing immediately (echo and call and response songs), easily dive into instant harmony with rounds and partner songs making singing in the classroom, in the choir and anywhere a great joy.

Go to welcometomusicpodcast.net/ to listen to the podcast and find a summary as part of the blog. You can also find the podcast on Apple Music, Spotify and the streaming services. 

To view the blog notes for this episode, click here!

Join Susie for Episode 24 as she shares ‘Call and Response Songs – Part 2’ with four more fabulous pieces for a range of ages up to 12 years:

• ‘Rise Sally Rise’ - a traditional African-American playground song
• ‘Jaws’ – story song with actions inspired by Baby Shark
• ‘Old McDonald had a Band’ – traditional song that encourages instrumental exploration
• ‘Sing to the Heavens Above’ - uplifting gospel-style song by Susie & Phil

A call and response song is where a leader sings the call, and the group answer with a response which is usually the same or may have 2 slightly different responses. The call is usually different and often improvised.This follows the ‘Suite of Songs’ journey which includes echo and cumulative songs, call and response songs and will be continued with partner songs and rounds.

Songs that use these various techniques provide an inclusive setting allowing kids to have instant success, sing immediately (echo and call and response songs), easily dive into instant harmony with rounds and partner songs making singing in the classroom, in the choir and anywhere a great joy.

Go to welcometomusicpodcast.net/ to listen to the podcast and find a summary as part of the blog. You can also find the podcast on Apple Music, Spotify and the streaming services. 

For the blog & podcast notes for this episode, click here!

A huge welcome to Episode 23 of the Welcome to Music podcast – Call and Response Songs for the Primary/Elementary School. In this Episode 23 and the next 2 Episodes 24 & 25 (Parts 1-3), I will be continuing the ‘Suite of Songs’ journey. Episode 18 is ‘Echo Songs’ and Episodes 19 and 20 ‘Cumulative Songs’. Then the journey will continue with partner songs and rounds. Songs that use these various techniques provide an inclusive setting allowing kids to sing immediately (echo and call and response songs) and easily dive into instant harmony with rounds and partner songs.

Cumulative songs also bring lots of fun into the classroom with songs building and becoming longer and more complex where memory, concentration and language skills are developed.

A call and response song is where a leader sings the call, and the group answer with a response which is usually the same or may have 2 slightly different responses. The call is usually different and often improvised. All of these various song techniques that bring immediate engagement and success combine to make singing in the classroom, in the choir and anywhere a great joy.

Go to welcometomusicpodcast.net to listen to the podcast and find a summary as part of the blog. You can also find the podcast on Apple Music, Spotify and the streaming services.

To access all the extras such as music notation, harmonies, ukulele, recorder and percussion parts, join our Welcome to Music Membership welcometomusic.podia.com

To read the blog notes for this episode, click here.



A huge welcome to Episode 22 of the Welcome to Music podcast – a continuation of –Indigenous Music Perspectives – Part 2. If you haven’t already, make sure you listen to Episode 21 for Part 1, suitable for 4 – 12 years -- click here!  

Go to welcometomusicpodcast.net/ to listen to the podcast and find a summary as part of the blog. You can also find the podcast on Apple Music, Spotify and the streaming services. 

To be able to access a 2 hour video and receive a PD certificate that addresses the AITSL - Australian Professional Standards for Teachers plus all accompanying teacher notes, music notation, harmonies, percussion, recorder, ukulele and keyboard arrangements for four indigenous songs join our Welcome to Music Membership at welcometomusic.podia.com 

For the blog & podcast notes for this episode, click here!

A huge welcome to Episode 21 of the Welcome to Music podcast – Indigenous Music Perspectives – Part 1. In this Episode 21 and the next Episode 22 (Parts 1 & 2), I interview Alice Csabi who is a performing arts teacher and has had several years’ experience working with Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander students in the Northern Territory.  

We have a discussion around how to use indigenous materials sensitively and appropriately in schools. The focus of this session is to improve your confidence and ability to incorporate Indigenous Perspectives into your Music/Performing Arts and general classrooms. It provides you with tools and support for how you can transfer these ideas to that of your own Country. 

These 2 episodes are a follow up from a webinar entitled ‘Indigenous Music from Australia’ where Alice and I shared 3 indigenous songs (My Island Home, Yil Lull and Wish you Well) which included singing, body percussion, movement, Orff percussion instruments, improvisation, ukuleles, Boomwhacker and recorders.  

The webinar can be viewed inside our Welcome to Music Membership Community together with the videos of this 2-part interview and all accompanying teacher notes, music notation, harmonies, percussion, recorder, ukulele and keyboard arrangements for each song plus all of the notes and music for a 4th indigenous song ‘Ngarra, Burra, Ferra’. You will be able to view a 2 hour video and access a PD certificate that addresses the AITSL - Australian Professional Standards for Teachers. To join our Welcome to Music Membership - click here!

In these 2 podcast episodes, you will hear a short recap of ‘My Island Home’ and ‘Yil Lull’ plus ‘Ngarra, Burra, Ferra’ – which is a gospel, African-American spiritual song adapted by the Yorta Yorta indigenous people of south eastern Victoria, Australia 

Click HERE to read the blog notes for this episode – this is where you will find a summary of the podcast and all links.You can also find the podcast on Apple Music, Spotify and the streaming services. 

A huge welcome to Episode 20 of the Welcome to Music podcast – a continuation of Fun Cumulative Songs for the Primary/Elementary School 

My plan over the next few podcasts is to put together ‘A Suite of Songs’ – I started mid 24 with echo songs and today cumulative songs. This will then extend to partner songs, call and response songs and rounds just to name a few. Songs that use these various techniques provide an inclusive setting allowing kids to sing immediately (echo and call and response) and easily dive into instant harmony with rounds and partner songs.  

A cumulative song is a type of song where each verse builds on the previous one by adding new elements, often in a repetitive and sequential manner. As the song progresses, the verses become longer and more complex, with earlier parts repeated in each new verse. 

Incorporating cumulative songs into educational settings provides a multifaceted approach to learning, making it both enjoyable and effective for children. Cumulative songs are great for engaging children in interactive singing, helping them develop language skills, memory, and musical abilities while having fun. 

Click HERE to read the blog notes for this episode – this is where you will find a summary of the podcast and all links.

To access all the extras such as music notation, harmonies, ukulele, recorder and percussion parts, join our Welcome to Music Membership - click here!