Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Choir Baton
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 82. Why Choral Music Needs to Pay Attention to AI | 27 Feb 2026 | 00:28:46 | |
What happens when a grieving person finds comfort in a song — and then discovers it was made by AI? That question is the heart of this episode, and it captures everything that matters about the moment we're in as choral musicians. This episode is a deep dive into AI: what it actually is, how we got here, and why Beth believes it represents one of the greatest opportunities choral music has had in a very long time — but only if we're paying attention. In this episode:
Coming up next: Beth gets practical with 5 specific ways you can start using AI in your choral work right now — with examples and prompts. Interested in going deeper? Beth is putting together a short masterclass: From Basics to Breakthroughs: AI for Choral Artists — covering foundations, practical applications, ethics, and advanced implications for your work and community. 👉 Link Here. Follow @ChoirBaton on Follow @BethPhilemon on Music by: Scott Holmes Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger Follow @BethPhilemon on | |||
| 81. What is Lifelong Musicianship? | 01 May 2023 | 00:30:03 | |
Follow @BethPhilemon on Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger Follow @BethPhilemon on | |||
| 72. Giving Students Ownership: An Interview with Chantae Pittman | 08 Feb 2021 | 01:01:48 | |
In this episode, Chantae and I discuss the many ways that students can have ownership of the music process in the choral classroom. This conversation led to topics such as sight reading, independence, and giving students leadership opportunities. Follow @BethPhilemon on Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger Follow @BethPhilemon on | |||
| 70. The Importance of Life outside Choir: An Interview with Becky Park on Poshmark | 25 Jan 2021 | 01:06:06 | |
I discovered Becky on Instagram as a @beckyparkonposhmark and her work as a high school choir teacher and a clothes reseller. In this episode, we discuss having passions outside of choir and our dive into the true impact choir can have in a student's life that is not just musical. Follow @BethPhilemon on Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger Follow @BethPhilemon on | |||
| 69. The Teamwork in Choir: An Interview with Marshall Butler | 18 Jan 2021 | 00:54:39 | |
Marshall Butler has impacted many student's lives over his years teaching. In this interview, we talk about the teamwork aspect of choir as well as many other important topics and memories from his years teaching. This interview is especially meaningful to me because Mr. Butler taught for 24 years at Sanderson and left shortly before I took the position at Sanderson High School. Follow @BethPhilemon on Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger Follow @BethPhilemon on | |||
| 68. Break the Cycle of Expectation: An Interview with Alex Alberti | 11 Jan 2021 | 00:58:56 | |
Today I am joined by my former co-worker and dear friend, Mr. Alexander Alberti. We cover a variety of different areas in this podcast but one that stuck out to me in particular was this idea of "breaking the cycle of expectations" in teaching music the way it has always been taught. We have so many resources at our disposal, we should take advantage of technology, community members, and our students' interests when we are teaching. Follow @BethPhilemon on Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger Follow @BethPhilemon on | |||
| 67. The Revamp | 04 Jan 2021 | 00:50:12 | |
It is the first Choir Baton episode of 2021! In this podcast, I discuss the Revamp course I am offering to help you start the new year and the new semester prepared and ready to embrace changes and circumstances as they come. Join me through an episode of reflection as you reflect on your own year and the things you have learned from it. Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger Follow @BethPhilemon on | |||
| 66. The "Why" of Learning: Choir Baton Teaching Membership | 28 Dec 2020 | 01:13:50 | |
Hello, Choir Baton Community. In this episode I address the reasons and process for creating the Choir Baton Teaching Membership. I talk about the gaps that I found as a teacher and how I have worked to fill them. Our students want to know the "why" of everything we teach, listen to find out ways to give that to them! Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger Follow @BethPhilemon on | |||
| 65. It's the Most Wonderfully Stressful Time of the Year...in the Most Stressful Year | 21 Dec 2020 | 00:46:30 | |
This episode is a sequel episode to 26. It's the Most Wonderfully Stressful Time of the Year. In a year without concerts, gigs, and performances to plan, rehearse for, and execute, we do not have the same stressors as usual. However, we have had plenty of other struggles through the year and especially this season. You may have found yourself comparing your program to others more frequently because of the increase in social media during this time and may be feeling insufficient or envious of what you were unable to do. I am here to remind you that you are enough. You have worked hard. You are appreciated. Do not give up. Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger Follow @BethPhilemon on | |||
| 64. The "Coulds" and Possibility for Change with Evan Tobias | 14 Dec 2020 | 01:06:54 | |
In this conversation we talk about participatory culture and how it relates to adjustments and rethinking the music curriculum. Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger Follow @BethPhilemon on | |||
| 63. No Judgement Zone with Marci and Hannah | 07 Dec 2020 | 01:08:30 | |
Our fear of judgement can often hold us back from reaching our full potential. Listen as I discuss this as well as other topics of Music Service Learning, the importance of listening, and more in this conversation with Marci Major and Hannah Knauss, co-authors of the book Choral Connection. Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger Follow @BethPhilemon on | |||
| 62. Turning Tradition Upside-down with Kaitlin Simonson | 30 Nov 2020 | 00:56:02 | |
Listen to this episode to hear all of the ways Kaitlin Simonson has been creatively overcoming virtual learning as a barrier and engaging students in singing in new ways! As a classically trained soprano, Kaitlin has performed as a soloist with the Southern Nevada Symphony Orchestra and the San Diego Pro Arte Voices. She is an experienced choral singer praised for her sight reading abilities, preparation and collegiality. Kaitlin holds a Masters Degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas where she studied with Dr. Linda Lister. In addition, she holds a B.M.E. in Choral Music Education cum laude from Northern Arizona University where she studied with Dr. Edith Copley and Dr. Ryan Holder. Kaitlin has completed three years of coursework in the Kodàly Methodology with Susan Brumfield at Portland State University. She serves on the KONY board as a general member. She is a member of ACDA, OAKE, and NAfME. Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger Follow @BethPhilemon on | |||
| 80. It’s (still) the most stressful time of the year … 5 tips to simplify and (hopefully) de-stressify | 13 Dec 2021 | 00:20:17 | |
This episode in 2019 is the most downloaded Choir Baton Podcast Episode ever. And I get it. This time of year is insane. But last year it wasn’t. Or if it was crazy for you, chances are it wasn’t because you were in a million different performances - you were probably dealing with the pandemic in your own way and with your own family stuff. Did you promise yourself last year that you wouldn’t let your life get too stressful again? And yet find yourself stressed again? You are not alone. And here are several tips and reminders I want to share with you to remind you it doesn’t have to be the most stressful time of the year. Follow @BethPhilemon on Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger Follow @BethPhilemon on | |||
| 61. Value in the Community - Jonathan Palant on the Dallas Street Choir | 23 Nov 2020 | 01:08:04 | |
After a life changing performance experience watching the Dallas Street Choir sing at national ACDA conference a couple years ago, I have the honor of interviewing Dr. Jonathan Palant, the conductor. Listen to hear his perspective on inequality in music and making a community space for singing. Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger Follow @BethPhilemon on | |||
| 60. Our Art is an Emotional Art - Diane Covington | 16 Nov 2020 | 01:34:06 | |
This interview is with my former high school teacher and one of my reasons for going into music education, listen for stories and powerful conversation. Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger Follow @BethPhilemon on | |||
| 59. You Are the CEO of Your Own Life: Interview with Chris Hitch | 09 Nov 2020 | 00:58:23 | |
In this episode, my professor at North Carolina University in the MBA program shares his insight about changing professions, transferrable skills, and the value of teachers. For more information on Choir Baton please visit choirbaton.com and to follow us on Instagram @choirbaton @bethphilemon Music by: Scott Holmes To join the Choir Baton Teaching Membership waiting list or for more information, go here. To receive the weekly Choir Baton Weekly Letter, sign-up here. Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger Follow @BethPhilemon on | |||
| 58. Finding Your Why with Emmy Burch | 02 Nov 2020 | 00:53:30 | |
Emmy and I discuss a wide range of topics but we keep returning to the "why." Knowing the "why" of anything you do is important, listen to this episode to find out more about how to find your purpose and self-reflect. For more information on Choir Baton please visit choirbaton.com and to follow us on Instagram @choirbaton @bethphilemon Music by: Scott Holmes To join the waitlist for the Choir Baton Teaching Membership or for more information, go here. To receive the weekly Choir Baton Weekly Letter, including information regarding the FREE Introductory Singer Course, sign-up here. Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger Follow @BethPhilemon on | |||
| 57. Getting Down to Business (and Choir) with Tori Cook | 26 Oct 2020 | 00:51:25 | |
Join me in this episode with Tori Cook as we discuss the intersection of music and business, the future of community choirs, the innovation of the choral community during Covid-19, and much more! Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger Follow @BethPhilemon on | |||
| 56. Tik Talks with Tommy Economou | 12 Oct 2020 | 00:52:01 | |
I met Tommy Economou through a Tik Tok he made about the influence choir has had on his professional singing career with his band. Listen to find out more about how growing up in choir has made an impact on his current life and how Tik Tok has brought musicians together during these pandemic times. For more information on Choir Baton please visit choirbaton.com and to follow us on Instagram @choirbaton @bethphilemon Music by: Scott Holmes To join the Choir Baton Teaching Membership or for more information, go here. To receive the weekly Choir Baton Weekly Letter, sign-up here. Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger Follow @BethPhilemon on | |||
| 55. It is okay to ask for help | 05 Oct 2020 | 00:50:06 | |
In this episode, I talk about how we as musicians and especially as music teachers often find it hard to ask for help. I discuss the stigma around seeking assistance both in our classrooms and personal life and I share some examples from my own life. When we ask for help, it allows us to focus our attention on things that need it. For more information on Choir Baton please visit choirbaton.com and to follow us on Instagram @choirbaton @bethphilemon Music by: Scott Holmes To join the Choir Baton Teaching Membership or for more information, go here. To receive the weekly Choir Baton Weekly Letter, sign-up here. Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger Follow @BethPhilemon on | |||
| 54. High School Choir to Collegiate Choir: a Conversation with Maggie and Jonathan | 14 Sep 2020 | 01:08:58 | |
This interview was conducted with two former students of mine: Maggie Hemedinger and Jonathan Pelletier. For more information on Choir Baton please visit choirbaton.com and to follow us on Instagram @choirbaton @bethphilemon Music by: Scott Holmes To join the Choir Baton Teaching Membership or for more information, go here. To receive the weekly Choir Baton Weekly Letter, including information regarding the FREE Introductory Singer Course, sign-up here. Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger Follow @BethPhilemon on | |||
| 53. Addressing the fear of failure in choir with Troy Meeker | 08 Sep 2020 | 01:39:27 | |
Long time friend and colleague, Troy Meeker, shares his experience with addressing the fear of failure in the choir classroom. How can we show students that it is okay to make mistakes? How can we show ourselves that it is okay to make mistakes? Taking the time to grapple with this makes us better musicians and better humans. Mr. Meeker was recently recognized for his outstanding teaching winning the O.M. Hartsell Excellence in Teaching Music Award from the Arizona Music Educators Association and the Arts Educator of the Year Award from the Arizona Department of Education. In addition, his choir Encore performed for the AMEA Convention in 2020 marking the 3rd performance appearance of ensembles under his direction. In his free time, Mr. Meeker enjoys watching movies, cooking, cycling, and studying karate with his son. His home is in Glendale, Arizona, with his wife, Adrienne, and their children Grant and Annika.
For more information on Choir Baton please visit choirbaton.com and to follow us on Instagram @choirbaton @bethphilemon Music by: Scott Holmes To join the Choir Baton Teaching Membership or for more information, go here. To receive the weekly Choir Baton Weekly Letter, sign-up here. Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger Follow @BethPhilemon on | |||
| 52. What No One in Choir Wants To Talk About | 31 Aug 2020 | 00:50:30 | |
You don't want to talk about this, but we must. Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger Follow @BethPhilemon on | |||
| 79. #1 Hack for Concert Season Rehearsals | 29 Nov 2021 | 00:29:08 | |
Yep, clickbait title. But real life truths thrown at you in this episode. Follow @BethPhilemon on Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger Follow @BethPhilemon on | |||
| 51. Choir Baton Podcast Recap of 50 Episodes | 24 Aug 2020 | 00:44:05 | |
New to the Choir Baton podcast? OG Choir Baton podcast listener? Somewhere in between? Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger Follow @BethPhilemon on | |||
| 50. The #MorePeopleSinging... Even Online | 17 Aug 2020 | 00:57:44 | |
I am incredibly particular in my approach to teaching music literacy because when I'm teaching music literacy, I'm teaching music. I'm teaching everything. I don't do voice placements, I do this. I don't start with teaching quarter notes, I do this. I don't avoid improvisation, I do this. Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger Follow @BethPhilemon on | |||
| 49. It is time to unlearn choir | 10 Aug 2020 | 00:56:08 | |
In a time where "normal" just is not a possibility, how do we "unlearn" what we have been learning and teaching for years and move forward with choir in a meaningful but safe way? Choir Baton Host: Beth Philemon | Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger For more information on Choir Baton please visit choirbaton.com and to follow us on Instagram @choirbaton@bethphilemon Music by: Scott Holmes To join the Choir Baton Teaching Membership or for more information, go here. To receive the weekly Choir Baton Weekly Letter, sign-up here. Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger Follow @BethPhilemon on | |||
| 48. A Conversation with Darrick King on access, equity, and friendship | 03 Aug 2020 | 01:40:55 | |
This is a long awaited interview with my dear friend and colleague, Darrick King. A native of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Darrick King began his tenure as Director of Choral Activities at Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School - University Connections: School of Design, Arts, & Engineering in July of 2016. Darrick earned a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Winston-Salem State University (2010) and holds a Master of Arts in Choral Conducting from Mansfield University of Pennsylvania (2015). While at Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) he served as a student conductor and accompanist for Schola Cantorum, the all-male performing ensemble. WSSU provided him with the opportunity to travel, perform, and record with the Dvorak Symphony in Prague, Czech Republic, the Winston-Salem Symphony Orchestra, as well as the New England Symphony Orchestra at Carnegie Hall. Upon graduation, he taught in Prince George’s County, Maryland as well as Rockingham County, North Carolina. Several students who have studied under Mr. King have pursued careers in Music Education. While serving as a Graduate Assistant in the Music Department at Mansfield University, he had the opportunity to conduct the Mansfield University Concert Choir, Chamber Singers, Festival Chorus, Women’s Chorale, and Men’s Chorale. Darrick is a member of ACDA, NAfME, NCMEA, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America, Inc., and briefly served on the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Public Art Commission. Mr. King also serves as Music Director at Windborne United Methodist Church in North Raleigh and as Choral Director of the new African American Choral Ensemble at North Carolina State University. Join us as we have both the hard and the fun conversations regarding equity, access, race, and friendship in our classroom. Click here for information on the Choir Baton Teaching Membership... doors close August 30 in order to focus on the needs of the membership holders, don't miss your chance to join and receive valuable teaching material, resources, and support. Choir Baton Host: Beth Philemon | Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger For more information on Choir Baton please visit choirbaton.com and to follow us on Instagram @choirbaton@bethphilemon Music by: Scott Holmes To join the Choir Baton Teaching Membership or for more information, go here. To receive the weekly Choir Baton Weekly Letter, sign-up here. Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger Follow @BethPhilemon on | |||
| 47. All Choir is Choir | 27 Jul 2020 | 01:01:34 | |
Rebecca Sabree is a choir teacher in Michigan with a love for choir music, but especially show choir. In some places, Show Choir gets a bad rep. (other places, not so) But the important take away from this episode is, "all choir is choir." And if there's ever been a time for the discussion of what "is" choir and what "isn't" choir today - it's now as we engage with the validity of virtual choirs. I hope this episode further challenges you to remember that "all choir is choir" - an extension of the Choir Baton motto for #MorePeopleSinging. Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger Follow @BethPhilemon on | |||
| 46. 10 Things Every Choir Teacher Should Know... | 20 Jul 2020 | 00:57:22 | |
and the Choir Community Needs to Hear Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger Follow @BethPhilemon on | |||
| 45. Why you should prepare to teach/ conduct choir online this fall | 13 Jul 2020 | 00:53:07 | |
Y'all. I'm throwing down some fire in this week's episode. I'm talking about why I believe online teaching is what you need to plan for this fall but cite examples of how I've used online teaching in my past classroom experiences and know it can be effective. Simultaneously, we need to realize we have to stop teaching people to love our choir more than they love choral singing. This year more than ever needs to be focused on teaching singers how to learn on their own, setting them up for success to enter future community choirs. For more information on Choir Baton please visit choirbaton.com and to follow us on Instagram @choirbaton @bethphilemon Music by: Scott Holmes To join the Choir Baton Teaching Membership or for more information, go here. To receive the weekly Choir Baton Weekly Letter, including information regarding the FREE Introductory Singer Course, sign-up here. Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger Follow @BethPhilemon on | |||
| 44. Music and Business: an interview with Maria Ellis | 06 Jul 2020 | 01:25:24 | |
Today I interview Maria Ellis, founder of Girl Conductor. Maria and I met online over a year ago via, of course, Instagram. If you’ve ever found yourself unsure of how to go after your dreams or in need of choral-inspiration. This episode is for you! Maria Ellis is a Music Educator, Choral Conductor, with over 20 years of choral music experience. Called a “Master Educator” and a “Force of Nature” by Dr. Jim Henry, University of Missouri- St. Louis, she holds a B.M. in Music Education emphasis on Voice (K-12 Certified) Degree from the University of Missouri- St. Louis and served as the Arts and Administrative Fellow for The St. Louis Symphony. Maria currently serves as the Community Engagement Manager for The St. Louis Children’s Choirs and is the Founding Conductor of The Sheldon Concert Hall and Art Galleries' newly formed City of Music All-Star Chorus. Follow Maria Ellis on Instagram and visit her website Choir Baton Host: Beth Philemon | Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger For more information on Choir Baton please visit choirbaton.com and to follow us on Instagram @choirbaton @bethphilemon Music by: Scott Holmes To join the Choir Baton Teaching Membership or for more information, go here. To receive the weekly Choir Baton Weekly Letter, including information regarding the FREE Introductory Singer Course, sign-up here. Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger Follow @BethPhilemon on | |||
| 43. Reflections from First Year Teachers: The End of the Trilogy | 29 Jun 2020 | 01:49:37 | |
The Choir Baton podcast was started with a desire to record real conversations with people about choir. I can think of no more of real conversation than to trace the journey of a new choir teacher. Over the course of the past year I have talked with Nyi Nyi Myin and Lamar Davis as they started student teaching, finished student teaching, and now have finished their first year of teaching. We reflect on the past two years, what they’ve learned, and where they’re going. Follow Nyi Nyi Myin and Lamar Davis on Instagram Choir Baton Host: Beth Philemon | Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger For more information on Choir Baton please visit choirbaton.com and to follow us on Instagram @choirbaton @bethphilemon Music by: Scott Holmes To join the Choir Baton Teaching Membership or for more information, go here. To receive the weekly Choir Baton Weekly Letter, including information regarding the FREE Introductory Singer Course, sign-up here. Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger Follow @BethPhilemon on | |||
| 42. #MorePeopleSinging beyond the classroom | 22 Jun 2020 | 01:03:30 | |
In graduate school, I was an assistant conductor with the Master Chorale of Flagstaff. This experience was transformative for a multitude of reasons, two of which you’ll hear about here. Working with this choir each week I established relationships with community members who loved to sing. I always identified more with non-music majors than music majors in undergrad, so these singers were a unique respite. (No hate to my fellow music majors, but we are special people.) I also began to realize how many barriers to entry there are for people new to choral music. Even for the most intelligent, motivated singer with a little general music experience, reading choir music is highly specialized. But we don’t have good systems in place to help teach adult singers in choir. In this episode, I sit down with two dear, dear friends of mine - Dawn and Stan Sutherland. Dawn and Stan sing in the Master Chorale of Flagstaff and are incredible advocates of the art form. Dawn grew up singing in choirs and Stan started later in life. In this episode, we unpack their “why” for singing in choirs beyond the classroom. I am committed to providing opportunities for adults to learn about choir and I am excited to share with you I am launching the Choir Baton Singer Course in July. For more information regarding this exciting new opportunity, sign up here. Choir Baton Host: Beth Philemon | Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger For more information on Choir Baton please visit choirbaton.com and to follow us on Instagram @choirbaton @bethphilemon Music by: Scott Holmes To join the Choir Baton Teaching Membership or for more information, go here. To receive the weekly Choir Baton Weekly Letter, sign-up here. Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger Follow @BethPhilemon on | |||
| 78. What if you did less? | 07 Sep 2021 | 00:32:58 | |
Burnout is real. In this episode, I encourage you to do less. There is always more we can do as choral musicians and directors. But in order to be able to continue doing what we do, we need to cut down on overloading ourselves. If you’re watching this on YouTube, don’t forget to subscribe, like this video, and let us know what resonated with you from this episode - and if you’re listening to this podcast - be sure to subscribe if you haven’t already - leave us some 5-star choir love in the reviews. Thanks for listening to the Choir Baton Podcast where we’re all about More People Singing. Follow @ChoirBaton on Follow @BethPhilemon on Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger Follow @BethPhilemon on | |||
| 41. Interview with Emily Campbell | 15 Jun 2020 | 00:58:31 | |
The power of the Instagram choir community strikes again in this special interview with my dear friend, Emily Campbell. While I was struck with the fact there was another choir teacher posting about choir on Instagram (Yay! - this was a big deal 2 years ago) - I was also more struck by Emily’s openness in sharing her wedding pictures on her school choir social media picture with her wife. At the time I was amidst conversations with a good friend of mine experiencing heartbreak from his community about being out at the school he taught at. I’ll be honest, I know of very few openly out women in choral music, particularly in a secondary school setting. In this episode, Emily and I sit down and talk about her growth as a choir educator and in her transparency as a gay woman. There are hundreds of thousands of choir educators in the world very comfortable and safe in sharing their sexuality with their community, and there are hundreds of thousands of choir educators in the world who don’t. I want you to know you are not alone. Emily is an incredible resource as are many other educators I know who I would be happy to put you in contact with if you are in need of a mentor or to talk with someone who has been there. Special thanks to Emily Campbell who you can find hanging out on @choircampbell or with her new puppy Bernie @bernie_the_berner_pup Choir Baton Host: Beth Philemon | Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger For more information on Choir Baton please visit our website and to follow us on Instagram @choirbaton @bethphilemon Music by: Scott Holmes To join the Choir Baton Teaching Membership or for more information, go here. To receive the weekly Choir Baton Weekly Letter, sign-up here. Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger Follow @BethPhilemon on | |||
| 40. My Voice is Enough... Your Voice is Enough | 08 Jun 2020 | 00:58:01 | |
Last year Choir Baton sold shirts with this phrase on it. Since then this phrase has continued to evolve in what it means to me. I’ve struggled to find my voice my entire life both metaphorically and musically. In this 40th episode of the Choir Baton podcast I share about how I’m leaning into owning the enough-ness of my voice both personally and musically. And so my question to you is, do you believe your voice is enough? As choral musicians, how often do we allow the voices of choral “leaders” to inform how, why, and what we do and view as “success?” As people, how often do we allow authoritative voices to frame our thoughts, opinions, and actions without engaging in an internal dialogue of our own? I hope this episode helps you begin to think differently. I hope this episode challenges you to think about why you program some of the music you do or want a certain choral “sound” from your choir. I hope this episode helps you think about what success means for you in choral music. I also hope this episode helps you think about why and what you believe beyond the world of choral music, too. Choir Baton Host: Beth Philemon | Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger For more information on Choir Baton please visit choirbaton.com and to follow us on Instagram @choirbaton @bethphilemon Music by: Scott Holmes To join the Choir Baton Teaching Membership or for more information, go here. To receive the weekly Choir Baton Weekly Letter, sign-up here. Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger Follow @BethPhilemon on | |||
| 39. The Wonderful Ms. Wonderly | 01 Jun 2020 | 01:19:59 | |
Have you ever seen someone on Instagram and thought - THIS person - Who is she? Where did she come from? How did she get here? Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger Follow @BethPhilemon on | |||
| 38. Multi-Faceted Musicianship with Ben Parry | 25 May 2020 | 01:01:19 | |
Anyone else get as excited as I do when you hear choral music in mainstream media? When Coldplay released their 2019 album Everyday Life, I was captivated by the song "When I Need a Friend." Fast forward several months and I was lucky enough to sit down with Ben Parry, conductor of that track sung by London Voices. Ben is a conductor, composer, arranger, singer and producer. Former member of the Swingle Singers (his daughter now sings with the ensemble) and collaborator with hundreds of choral and "light music" projects, Ben is a world-renown musician who continues to make music for a variety of different age groups and experiences in a variety of different styles. In addition to his work with London Voices, Ben is the Assistant Director of Music and Bye-Fellow of King's College, Cambridge, and the Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain. He has made well over 100 CD recordings and his compositions and arrangements are published by Oxford University Press, Peters Edition and Faber Music. His latest album: The Hours just released and is available to listen here. #MorePeopleSinging Choir Baton Host: Beth Philemon | Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger For more information on Choir Baton please visit choirbaton.com and to follow us on Instagram @choirbaton @bethphilemon Music by: Scott Holmes To join the Choir Baton Teaching Membership or for more information, go here. To receive the weekly Choir Baton Weekly Letter, sign-up here. Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger Follow @BethPhilemon on | |||
| 37. Struggling for Innovation Inspiration, Meet Dr. Sarah Gulish of @FFlatbooks | 11 May 2020 | 01:03:32 | |
I'm excited to bring today's Choir Baton episode to you, because it is an example of how someone is innovating in music education, even before the pandemic hit. I was connected with Dr. Sara Gulish through Instagram, and you're about to listen to an Instagram Live we recorded about a month ago. Sarah’s story is an amazing example of how someone found a problem and is delivering a solution. Maybe innovation for you is not creating your own e-publishing commerce site for music education materials, but I guarantee you’ll be inspired by her story. I challenge you to think of how you might use this time to find your own creative space in the world whether it’s trying something new as a teacher, starting a new business, or anything in between. I also hope you’ll check out https://fflat-books.com online and follow them on Instagram @fflatbooks “Dr. Sarah Gulish is one half of the sibling duo behind F-flat books. Combining skills as a published author and multi-tasking mom, she is the mastermind behind the company. Her experience includes over a decade of public school teaching, work as a researcher/published author, recording and touring rock musician. She is passionate about music teaching and learning and finding ways to challenge norms in music education to create more equitable and inclusive spaces. When she’s not working on F-flat, you can find her jamming with her drummer husband, or chasing three kids around and convincing them that ‘mom’s music is cool.’” from fflat.com #MorePeopleSinging #EvenOnline Choir Baton Host: Beth Philemon | Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger Choir Baton Music: Scott Holmes For more information on Choir Baton please visit choirbaton.com and to follow us on Instagram @choirbaton @bethphilemon Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger Follow @BethPhilemon on | |||
| 36. Stop Looking for the Right Choral Repertoire.... | 05 May 2020 | 01:44:36 | |
How many times of you struggled to find the exact piece of repertoire for a concert? How many times have you thought you found the perfect piece only to discover the tessitura that sits in all the wrong places? Or there's a four-part TB divisi in a random 2 pages of the piece. Or all of the many other pervading themes that are a part of the struggle for finding repertoire to meet your ensemble's needs. This week's guest on the Choir Baton Podcast is Victoria Boler. Victoria walks us through how and why we can and should be arranging in the choral classroom. This episode also has my vulnerability level on 100% because I'm singing and improvising on the spot with her. Here's why you should listen to this episode even RIGHT NOW, as we don't know what choir will look like for the next couple months. With the exception of composer Dale Trumbore and her amazing forward thinking - there is not a composition out there yet for a choir amidst these times. NOW is the time to begin to dust off your composing and arranging skills and try your hand at making music that works for your choirs. --------- Victoria Boler is a leading elementary general music educator and curriculum designer. In addition to general music, Victoria has taught orchestra, choir, and percussion ensembles. In an administrative role, Victoria has served as Fine Arts Coordinator, leading band, orchestra, choir, general music, and musical theater at the programmatic level. Victoria’s primary instruments are voice and percussion, and she has earned undergraduate degrees in both instrumental and vocal music education. With Orff certification in all 3 levels, Victoria is currently completing her Masters of Music in Music Education and her Kodaly training. She publishes general music curriculum and instructional materials at victoriaboler.com, where she serves thousands of educators in their journey to create a grounded and artistic music curriculum for their unique teaching scenarios. Victoria's lesson planning subscription, The Planning Binder, empowers teachers to know exactly what to teach, when to teach it, and what strategies to use. Inside the Planning Binder, you’ll find long-range plans like scope and sequences, as well as specific teaching activities in concept plans. Each month you’ll see new documents to jump-start your planning, as well as steps to ap Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger Follow @BethPhilemon on | |||
| 35. The Architect of Choral Repertoire: an interview with Dr. Dennis Shrock | 27 Apr 2020 | 01:01:57 | |
In an unprecedented era of technology use in choral music, I was curious: how has technology influenced the history of choral music? I knew insight could be found from none other than the god of choral repertoire himself, Dr. Dennis Shrock. As a graduate student in choral conducting his Choral Repertoire book served as our bible for three semesters of choral literature. I poured over the many pages of his scholarship looking for insight into what the best choice would be when I was trying to determine what music to select for my graduate lecture recital. Admittedly, this was the most intimidated I have ever been for an interview. I am the farthest thing from a choral literature savant. And yet, I had to know what this man thought on this subject. I am delighted to share this interview with you. We not only talk about technology in choral music and how it's benefitted his research and writing, we gain valuable insight into his process. You'll be moved by his story. You'll be reminded of the power and influence a teacher can have on the lives of their students. You'll be inspired to listen to new music and to try your hand at arranging. And you'll also have a greater sense of appreciation for writing literature. Thank you, Dr. Shrock for this wonderful interview. #MorePeopleSinging Choir Baton Host: Beth Philemon | @bethphilemon Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger For more information on Choir Baton please visit choirbaton.com and follow us on Instagram @choirbaton
Dennis Shrock is author of three books published by Oxford University Press: Choral Repertoire (2009); Choral Scores (2015); and Choral Monuments (2017). He is also author of five books published by GIA: Performing Renaissance Music (2018); Performance Practices in the Baroque Era (2013); Handel’s Messiah, A Performance Practice Handbook (2013); Performance Practices in the Classical Era (2011); and Music for Beginning Conductors, An Anthology for Choral Conducting Classes (2011). In addition, he is co-author with James Moyer of A Conductor’s Guide to Choral/Orchestral Repertoire, and he is editor of early-music editions for the GIA Historical Music Series. Dr. Shrock has held faculty positions at Boston University, Westminster Choir College, the University of Oklahoma, and Texas Christian University, and has had residencies at the University of Delaware, Baylor University, the University of Southern California, the University of Mississippi, and Yale University. He has also served as Artistic Director of the Santa Fe Desert Chorale and Canterbury Choral Society of Oklahoma City, Interim Conductor of the Dallas Symphony Chorus, and Editor of The Choral Journal. Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger Follow @BethPhilemon on | |||
| 34. Your Dress Rehearsal Opportunity | 13 Apr 2020 | 01:21:17 | |
While you can't give your singers in the Spring of 2020 a final end of the year or semester concert as a culminating experience of the work they've done, I do believe you can provide a unique opportunity to reflect, showcase, and remember their year. Digital Portfolios, my friends. Yes, digital portfolios. Before you dismiss this idea - stay with me. A portfolio is a product that ultimately shows either your best work or how your work has progressed over time. This podcast is an example of a form of a digital portfolio. Listen to the progression of episodes and you'll (hopefully) see how I've grown as an interviewer. This episode is a mix of a 2020 "there are four reasons why you should be exploring digital portfolios now" clip and a 2017 presentation I gave at the North Carolina Music Educators Conference on the same topic. I'll breakdown how, why, and what - and give you examples of what your students can put in them. Similarly, the April Mini-Course in the Teaching Membership also provides a further in-depth guide to implementing them. I firmly believe now is the time to begin experimenting who digital portfolio implementation. This is your dress rehearsal opportunity. Here's the thing, why not use the digital content singers are creating during virtual learning and starting to organize it on a site that they can reference a year from now and show how they've grown? A digital portfolio isn't the current solution to online learning in the classroom, it is the long-term solution to assessing student growth and achievement, regardless of whether we're teaching in schools or online. And note, I know not every school has digital portfolio capabilities. I address ideas you can take to doing a hard-copy of a portfolio, too. #MorePeopleSinging #EvenOnline Choir Baton Host: Beth Philemon | Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger For more information on Choir Baton please visit choirbaton.com and to follow us on Instagram @choirbaton @bethphilemon
Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger Follow @BethPhilemon on | |||
| 33. More than the music: an interview with Dr. Ryan Holder | 06 Apr 2020 | 00:54:38 | |
I remember sitting on my bed one day and crying (sobbing) to my best teaching friend, Valerie, that I had made the wrong decision to go to graduate school. That I couldn't do it. I was not good enough and was crazy for thinking I could. Simply put, my first year of graduate school for my masters in music was not easy. But my second year felt like a breeze in comparison. There were many reasons for that, one being this. The one factor that was my constant during those 2 years and provided me a source of mentorship, friendship, and sarcasm was Dr. Ryan Holder. I was a graduate assistant for Dr. Holder (or as oft affectionally referred to as "Holder") and learned not just music from this man, but how to be a better person. In this episode, you'll hear a rare side to the professor who likes to be known for the fear he invokes in his women's chorale. We talk about vulnerability and depression. We talk about vocal jazz and women's choir music. We talk about his latest collaboration with the Sedona Academy of Chamber Singers that is already gaining talk of a Grammy nod. You'll hear how his passion for teaching students and helping them learn is why he was such an important part of my journey as a musician and why he continues to impact so many other students past and present. Choir Baton Host: Beth Philemon | Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger Choir Baton Host: Beth Philemon @bethphilemon | www.bethphilemon.com Visit Choir Baton Online: @choirbaton | www.choirbaton.com Choir Baton Theme Song by Scott Holmes Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger Follow @BethPhilemon on | |||
| 32. The Music Doesn't Have to End: Live Recording from IG Live | 03 Apr 2020 | 01:03:22 | |
My friend Andrew "Andy" Surrena began posting videos of him singing every day at 5pm from his soon-to-be inlaw's farmhouse in New York State amidst our nationwide quarantine. Andy's closing weekend as Romeo in Sarasota's Opera Romeo and Juliet had been cancelled and to encourage the singers to keep performing, the cast launched a 5'clock #SuddenlyOpera movement to encourage everyone to break into song wherever they were at that moment. (Read more here) I met Andy and his now fiance, Emily, during my first year in graduate school. Their friendship is something I hold dear to my heart and I asked Andy if he would sing for our Choir Baton community on Instagram Live. What I thought would be a fun opportunity for us to hear my talented friend turned into a conversation I will cherish forever. Amidst hearing Andy's singing voice, you'll hear him express how he is practicing as a solo singer these days - something every quarantined choir can relate to - and be encouraged by the optimism he and Emily share in response to the power of the arts within times likes these. Emily, a talented soprano in her own right decided to pursue a career in arts administration and is now the Associate Director of Vocal Arts at The Julliard School. There are so many amazing takeaways from three friends reuniting over an Instagram Live recording amidst the Coronavirus quarantine. Friends, family, and strangers joined us from around the world for this special recording and I'm excited to share it with you today. #morepeoplesinging
Choir Baton Host: Beth Philemon | Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger For more information on Choir Baton please visit choirbaton.com and to follow us on Instagram @choirbaton @bethphilemon
Emily Wells is the Associate Director of Vocal Arts at The Juilliard School. As Associate Director she oversees all non-opera production performance activities and projects, assists with season planning and casting, manages select contracting and budgeting, and works on admission/recruitment initiatives for all programs. Before moving to New York City in 2013 to start her job at Juilliard, she held positions at the Aspen Music Festival and the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra. Emily holds a bachelor's degree from Syracuse University and master's degree from Northern Arizona University. Outside of the arts, Emily loves to run marathons and is chasing a Boston Marathon qualifying time. Connect with Emily on LinkedIn
Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger Follow @BethPhilemon on | |||
| 77. Choir and ______ : An Interview with Jenna Corley | 30 Aug 2021 | 00:54:53 | |
If you’re watching this on YouTube, don’t forget to subscribe, like this video, and let us know what resonated with you from this episode - and if you’re listening to this podcast - be sure to subscribe if you haven’t already and leave us some 5 star choir love in the reviews. Thanks for listening to the Choir Baton Podcast where we’re all about More People Singing. Follow @ChoirBaton on Follow @BethPhilemon on Follow Jenna Corley on Instagram Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger Follow @BethPhilemon on | |||
| 31. "Because choir is greater than the sum of its parts" an interview with Joan Riddle Steinmann | 27 Mar 2020 | 00:49:27 | |
On March 18, Joan made a blog post in response to the emotions she felt surrounding the choir community's various responses to having to "do choir" online amidst Covid-19. That post would quickly go viral and be shared time again by the choir community. Joan's words seemed to stir within our hearts what many of us could not find the words to express. After being so moved by her text and seeing others so moved by it, I felt like there was more to the story and wanted to know more about the woman behind the post. The following interview is a moving addendum. Joan shares her heart for music and how the days leading up to her post were filled with another powerful journey. This post was her first one, made on her newly created webpage to share about her work on a musical written in tribute to her students and inspired by the role education plays in our students lives today. In a unique twist Joan also shares how her composition has garned praise from Malcolm Gladwell. You will be moved and inspired no longer just from the powerful words Joan shared with the world, but by gaining a glimpse into the creative, engaging, and wise woman behind that text. To find out more about Joan, including her blog post and upcoming musical "Solve for X" please click here Choir Baton Host: Beth Philemon | Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger Choir Baton Host: Beth Philemon @bethphilemon | www.bethphilemon.com Visit Choir Baton Online: @choirbaton | www.choirbaton.com Choir Baton Theme Song by Scott Holmes Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger Follow @BethPhilemon on | |||
| 30. An Interview with Flat.io Founders, Pierre Rannou and Cyril Coutelier | 16 Mar 2020 | 01:02:20 | |
"Launched in November 2014, Flat is an online music sheet edition application. It allows multiple musicians to compose, listen to compositions, and annotate them in real time together, wherever they are in the world, directly from a web browser without additional software. It addresses composers as well as teachers and their students." - Flat.io My favorite piece of technology to integrate into a choral rehearsal. In this episode, I sat down with two of Flat's founders to talk about the history of Flat. Flat is currently offering free access for remote educational learning right now. For ideas on how to use Flat in choir, take the free Choir Baton course "Teaching Choir Amidst Covid-19" or check out the Choir Baton YouTube page for more. Choir Baton Host: Beth Philemon @bethphilemon | www.bethphilemon.com Visit Choir Baton Online: @choirbaton | www.choirbaton.com Choir Baton Theme Song by Scott Holmes Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger Follow @BethPhilemon on | |||
| 29. #MeToo in Choral Music | 09 Mar 2020 | 00:39:11 | |
The episode I didn't want to record but literally could not stop feeling the universe impressing upon my heart that I must. It's the ugly truth, inappropriate advances and relationships occur in all aspects of life. For me, it was a text message from a long admired and respected choir professor from my undergraduate university. My hope is that in sharing my story, other people know they are not alone if they have experienced anything even related to this. I encourage everyone to communicate with someone they trust if they have experienced any level of inappropriate misconduct. Choir Baton Host: Beth Philemon @bethphilemon | www.bethphilemon.com Visit Choir Baton Online: @choirbaton | www.choirbaton.com Choir Baton Theme Song by Scott Holmes Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger Follow @BethPhilemon on | |||
| 28. What is the Choir Baton Teaching Membership ... and why do I need it? | 02 Mar 2020 | 00:23:36 | |
The world of learning is changing every day thanks to the internet, computers, phones, cloud storage, all the things. The Choir Baton Teaching Membership is but a small part of that. In 2014 I began dreaming of a place I could learn how to teach choir from an online source. I found various videos, had great books, awesome people around me to ask - but still wanted more, needed more. The Choir Baton Teaching Membership is the evolution of this dream. It is a resource library of videos, worksheets, assessments, examples, and more of all things choir. Hear the (abbreviated) story behind it (I explain why the full story didn't make the cut) and know that if you've been looking for a place to grow as a choral conductor, this is it! Choir Baton Host: Beth Philemon @bethphilemon | www.bethphilemon.com Visit Choir Baton Online: @choirbaton | www.choirbaton.com Choir Baton Theme Song by Scott Holmes
Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger Follow @BethPhilemon on | |||