Welcome back to Part Two of our inspiring chat with the wonderful Kate Schirmer—musician, singing teacher, conductor, and vocal pedagogy powerhouse.

If you caught Part One, you already know Kate brings so much wisdom, warmth, and depth to the world of singing and music education. Today, we’re shifting gears just a little to talk about the music that moves her.

In this episode, Kate shares some of her all-time favorite choral pieces and composers—the ones that speak to her soul, challenge her as an artist, and remind her why she fell in love with music in the first place. From classical gems to contemporary treasures, this conversation is full of inspiration, nostalgia, and a few musical surprises.

Whether you’re a choir director, singer, or just someone who loves great music, you’ll come away with fresh ideas for your own playlists, rehearsals, or maybe even repertoire planning.

So let’s dive into Part Two with Kate Schirmer—and explore the songs and sounds that have shaped her journey.

Songs Mentioned in This Episode: 

• Hope - Jason Robert Brown/ Mark Brymer
• Beautiful City - Stephen Schwartz/Mack Huff
• From the Start - Laufey
• Diamonds and Crystals - Pete Churchill
• Anyone Can Whistle - Stephen Sondheim 

Kate's Favorite Composers: 

• MT: Stephen Sondheim, Leonard Bernstein, Yve Blake, Kate Miller-Heidke & Keir Nuttall, Eddie Perfect, Tim Minchin 
• Classical: Reynaldo Hahn, Samuel Barber, Richard Strauss
• CCM: Paul Simon, Ben Folds, Tim Freedman, Fiona Apple, Tori Amos, Regina Spektor

Where to find me: 

Crescendo Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/crescendocommunity
Official Crescendo Page: https://www.facebook.com/CrescendoMusicEd/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/CrescendoMusicEd
Twitter: https://twitter.com/crescendomusic
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbie-o-shea-62a3741b/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/CrescendoDeb