Explore every episode of the podcast Regarding Music

In this episode, Eric Sheppard speaks with organist and composer Paul Griffin about the role of church music in education, community building, and the broader classical music space. 

In this episode, we explore the vibrant world of collegiate choral composition, community-building for young composers, and practical tips for breaking into the world of choral music. Sammy Strent shares insights on growing the community, the importance of hands-on experience, and strategies for young composers to market and develop their craft.

In this episode of Regarding Music, we talk with Isaac Kingshott, a London, Ontario based music producer and composer, about working with Indie artists as a music producer, building connections in the music industry, and the value of relationships over technical knowledge alone.

Most musicians are feeling the heat as AI technology disrupts traditional careers — but is that a crisis or an opportunity? New York-based composer Nick Bettina and I dive deep into how the industry is evolving and why embracing live performance, community, and authenticity is more essential than ever. If you're a performer, composer, or music lover questioning how to thrive in a shifting landscape, this episode reveals the counterintuitive strategies that can turn chaos into your advantage.

In this Episode of Regarding music, we sit down with Matt Hardy, a St. John's-based double bass player about organizing ensembles, overcoming imposter system, and some of the physical demands the double bass requires of players. 

I've made several AI Demos of my choral compositions and have found that while AI choir is very good at being correct, it usually lacks musicality. I wrote a new choral composition specifically designed to be sung by AI to see just how musical I could get an AI generate choral recording to sound.

In this episode of Regarding Music, Eric Sheppard speaks with composer and violinist Nick Batina about his journey in composition, his stylistic influences, and the challenges of building a career in music. Nick shares valuable insights on the creative process and building a career in music composition.

In this episode of Regarding Music, Eric Sheppard speaks with Paul Griffin, a Washington D.C. based organist and composer. The discussion focuses on the value of writing approachable music, some of the parallels between composing church music and music for video games, and some insights about composition gained from becoming content creator.

In this episode of Regarding Music, Eric Sheppard and Brandon Unis discuss Brandon's journey into the world of mixing, the business side of being a self-employed engineer, and the importance of building relationships in the music industry. They discuss ways content creation can drive business outcomes, some of the challenges of identifying as a musician, and some advice for aspiring mixing engineers.

In this episode of Regarding Music Eric Sheppard and Ben Nguyen explore the world of private music education, teaching, and the evolving landscape of music careers. They discuss the importance of reconnecting with music education, the value of leadership in music education, and lots of great tips to help music teachers starting private studios to find the right students. 

In this episode of Regarding Music, Eric Sheppard outlines three key considerations for composing choral music that is easier and more approachable for amateur choirs.

In this episode of Regarding Music, Eric Sheppard speaks with Mathias Rehfeldt, a German composer and organist. They  Mathias's work as a composer, ways composers of "Classical" music can leverage technology and social media, and some of the ways AI can (and will) change a composer's workflow.

In this episode of Regarding Music, Eric Sheppard speaks with American composer and music director Shane Mickelsen. They discuss Shane's early musical journey, his education choices, the importance of mentorship, and the challenges of finding one's own voice in music composition. Shane shares insights on navigating music education, the role of validation in a composer's journey, and the balance between personal expression and audience engagement. 

In this Episode Eric walks us through a recent composition for String Orchestra that focuses heavily on ternary forms. This discussion provides a look at the piece and a deep dive look at some of the formal structures featured and stylistic choices made in the creation of this piece.  

In this Episode of Regarding Music, Eric Sheppard speaks with Daix Ai, a composer and pianist, about her journey in music composition, influences from classical and traditional Chinese music, and striking the balance between modern and traditional styles in modern composition. They discuss the importance of storytelling in music, the challenges of getting performances as a young composer, and the role education plays in a musician's career. Daix shares valuable advice for aspiring composers, emphasizing the need for open-mindedness and the significance of building relationships in the music community.

In this episode of Regarding Music, Eric speaks with Michael Clement, an American jazz pianist and composer, about being a generalist in the early stages of a music career, challenges in the music education space, and the need to adapt in the evolving landscape of the music industry. Michael shares his personal experiences transitioning from classical to jazz, the importance of developing multiple income streams, and the need for musicians to think more entrepreneurially about their careers.

In this episode, Eric Sheppard and Ben Nguyen, explore the world of music coaching and education. Ben shares his journey from a music student to a coach, emphasizing the importance of social connections in music. They discuss the challenges of building a music teaching roster, striking the right balance between building a business and realizing artistic fulfillment, and effective marketing strategies for music educators. The conversation also highlights the importance of mentorship, the qualities that make a great music teacher, and the power of word-of-mouth referrals in the music education space.

In this episode, Eric Sheppard speaks with jazz double bassist Will Lyle about his journey in music, the impact of social media can have on one’s musical career, and the importance of artistic finding fulfillment. Will shares insights on the necessity of honing one's craft, the evolving landscape of jazz education, and striking the right balance between creativity and business in creating music content.

In this episode, Eric Sheppard and Barry J. Neely, a California-based film composer, discuss film music composition, misconceptions about scoring, and the importance of collaboration and communication in the creative process. Barry shares his journey with film scoring, his experiences with directors, and the constant need to balance artistic vision and client needs. The conversation also touches on the impact of budget constraints and the rewarding moments of working in film music. Eric and Barry reflect on personal experiences, career choices, and the value of patience and consistency in achieving artistic goals.

In this Episode of Regarding Music, Eric Sheppard speaks with Logan Stokes, a bassoonist an content creator about his musical journey. The discussion focuses on the challenges of music education, the intricacies of reed making, and the impact of COVID-19 on musical engagement. Logan shares insights on content creation in the music space, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and building connection with audiences. The conversation also highlights the intricacies of storytelling for musicians, the importance of building a personal brand, and the balance between engagement and views in content creation.

In this episode, Eric Sheppard and Lee Litvin discuss the journey of becoming a self-producing artist, the importance of personal growth, and overcoming limiting beliefs. Lee shares his experiences in music production, emphasizing the need for emotional resilience and the significance of putting in the hours to gain confidence. Eric and Lee explore the balance between passion and market needs, the challenges of reinventing oneself as an artist, and the critical role of authenticity in building trust in the digital age.

In this Episode, Eric Sheppard speaks with Beth Tankersley, a conductor and music director based in Seattle. The discussion focuses on Beth's unexpected journey into conducting, the challenges she faced, the importance of mentorship, and the dynamics of leading a musical group. Beth shares her experiences transitioning from classical music to musical theater, emphasizing the need for engagement and energy in performances. They also explore the cultural differences between classical and musical theater settings, highlighting the unique challenges and rewards of each.

In this episode of Regarding Music, Eric Sheppard speaks with Katerina Panopoulou, an audio engineer, music producer, and business coach about the importance of business skills for musicians, the significance of understanding one's ideal client, and how perfectionism can impede the creative process.

In this episode, Eric Sheppard and Oli James, a UK-based music producer, discuss the role of a music producer, how the landscape of music production has evolved over the years, the increased accessibility of music production technology, the changing social perceptions of musicians, and the importance of soft skills in guiding artists through the creative process. Oli shares his journey from being an artist to becoming a producer, emphasizing the need for empathy and understanding in the producer-artist relationship. 

In this episode of Regarding Music, Eric Sheppard speaks with Frederik Magle, an organist and composer based in Copenhagen, Denmark. Frederik discusses his eclectic musical journey, his work in church music, collaborations across genres, and the challenge of securing commissions. Eric and Frederik reflect on the impact of COVID-19 on compositions and composers, the importance of networking for emerging composers, the way attitudes towards tonality have changed in the 21st century, and the role of conducting in enhancing one's understanding of choral music.

In this episode of Regarding Music, Eric Sheppard speaks with Montreal-based composer Hannah Barnes about her unique approach to composition, the challenges of engaging audiences with contemporary music, and the importance of composers understanding conducting and the rehearsal process. Hannah shares her musical journey, influences, and insights on what makes a good composition teacher and student.

In this episode of Regarding Music, Eric Sheppard speaks with clarinetist and composer Daniel Garcia. Daniel discusses his musical influences, the importance of networking, and the challenges of building confidence as a composer. He emphasizes the role of social media in promoting music and offers valuable advice for aspiring composers, encouraging them to explore non-mainstream music and to keep creating.

Eric Sheppard speaks with Tony Manfredonia, a Michigan-based singer-songwriter and composer about Tony's musical journey, his passion for orchestral sounds, and his transition into composing music for video games. Tony shares insights on his workflow, the importance of networking, and the need for authenticity in professional relationships and emphasizes the significance of finding projects that align with one's personal style and the value of trial and error in the creative process. 

Eric Sheppard speaks with Dr. Mark Tse, a conductor and music educator at the University of Saskatchewan, about the challenges faced by aspiring conductors, the importance of gaining practical experience, and the dynamics of leading rehearsals. Mark shares his personal journey into conducting, some great advice for young conductors, and the importance of self-awareness and personal growth in becoming an effective conductor.

In this Episode Eric outlines AI tools and how to use them that enable an individual singer to create four part choral music. 

In this episode, Eric Sheppard speaks with Lee Litvin, a California-based music producer and business coach, about his journey in the music industry. Lee shares his experiences transitioning from an artist to a producer and eventually to a coach, emphasizing the importance of mindset, self-awareness, and networking in achieving success. They discusses the challenges of the music industry, the significance of cold outreach, and the need for musicians to think differently about their careers.

In this episode, Eric Sheppard and Z.W. Buckley, a video game composer, music producer and production coach, discuss the importance of being a generalist in the music industry, the value of professionalism over perfection, and the anxiety that comes with sharing one's work. The conversation also touches on the significance of creating opportunities for others and the dynamics of collaboration and feedback in the creative process.

In this Episode of Regarding Music, Eric Sheppard speaks with Arnaud Spick-Saucier, a Montreal-based pianist, composer, and mixing engineer. They discuss Arnaud's Journey as a musician, the influence of jazz on his composition style, and the importance of improvisation. They explore the influence of environment on creativity, the tension between being a musician and a content creator, the balance between passion and professionalism, and the challenges of conducting and rehearsals. 

In this episode, Eric Sheppard speaks with Barnaby Dickinson, a UK-based trombone player, about his varied career as a freelance musician. They discuss the importance of networking, building friendships in the industry, and the challenges of being a band leader. Barnaby shares insights on creating opportunities through personal projects and the some the tough realities of running rehearsals and performances. We also delve into the importance of gearing compositions for the right audiences and adapting musical content for various social media platforms.

In this Episode of Regarding Music, Eric Sheppard speaks with Andy Hudson, a Wisconsin-based clarinetist and music educator, about his journey in music education. They discuss the balance between tradition and innovation in music, the joy and importance of teaching, the role of music in storytelling, and what it means to be a good music student.

In this episode of Regarding Music Eric walks us through one of his compositions, a Rondo written for string orchestra. In this discussion we discuss what a rondo form is and some of the ways in which rondo forms can be expanded to create longer and more substantial pieces.

In this episode of Regarding Music, Eric Sheppard and Matt Perri explore the multifaceted world of conducting, discussing Matt's journey from jazz musician to Broadway conductor, the challenges of leading diverse musical groups, and the importance of effective rehearsal techniques. They delve into the balance of authority and approachability in leadership roles, the significance of understanding musicians' backgrounds, and the lessons learned from mistakes in performances.

In this episode of Regarding Music, Eric Sheppard speaks with classical guitarist Ben Diamond about his second album, Voyage. They discuss the journey of creating the album, the composers involved, and the importance of collaboration and communication in the music-making process. Ben shares insights on the narratives behind the music, the complexities of performing with electronics, and offers advice for other musicians looking to navigate similar paths in their careers.

Tobias Meinhartt is a New York based saxophonist and jazz musician. The discussion with Tobias in this episode of Regarding Music focuses on moving to different countries to pursue music, some of the differences and similarities between learning music in Europe and North America, developing skills in improvising, and the importance of being genuine in one’s approach to music.

Ed Kort is music producer who focuses on helping other musicians build their businesses and in this episode of Regarding Music, we talk with Ed about some of the difficulties musicians face with regard to creating online businesses, a number of the differences between music and other niches, the role of social media in developing a music business, and some ideas for musicians who are looking to profit from their artistic work.

In this episode of Regarding Music, we talk with Raphael C, a Brazilian musician who uses computer programs to write music, about creating computer generated music, the technical skills and software involved with creating this music, and some thoughts on the future of AI in Music.

Cathrie Yuen is a Vancouver based choral conductor. Our discussion in this episode of Regarding Music focused on such topics as building a community within a choir, rehearsing and performing choral music in different languages, putting one’s musical work on social media, as well as some ideas and advice for young conductors.

Jonathan Hannau is a Chicago based pianist and composer. In this episode of Regarding Music we discuss Jonathan's experiences as a performer and composer, some ways composers can pitch their work to performers in a more compelling way, as well as some tips and advice for marketing and managing a reputation as a freelance musician. 

In this episode of Regarding Music we talk with Dr. D.F. Cook, a retired music educator, academic, and church musician, about what attending music school in the 1950s and 1960s was like as well as some of the similarities and differences with studying music at university today.

Jordan Humphreys is a UK based mixing and mastering engineer and in this episode of Regarding Music we discussed what a mixing and mastering engineer does, what value mixing and mastering engineers provide to artists, articulating a value proposition on social media as a musician, and some tips and advice for aspiring mixing and mastering engineers.

Renata Quijada is California based music therapist and choral musician. In this episode of regarding music, our discussion focused on some of the parallels between music therapy and choral conducting, learnings from our experiences in church music, and some tips and advice for aspiring choral musicians. 

Julia Dunne is a St. John’s based Musical Theatre performer and in this episode of Regarding Music we talked about studying music theatre at University, the process of auditioning and getting roles in musicals, as well as some tips and advice for people looking to break into music theatre.  

Celeste Thordarson is a Toronto based choral conductor and church musician and in this episode of regarding music we discuss some of the practical challenges church musicians face, balancing managing a  choir whilst singing in other choirs, and tips and advice for other young conductors.

Isaac Kingshott is a London, Ontario based film composer and this episode of Regarding Music we discussed the differences between composing film music and more abstract music intended to be performed in a concert setting, imposter syndrome in music, paid vs unpaid composition engagements, and learning’s Issac has had from his journey as a composer.

Michael Pirri is a Toronto based organist, choral conductor, and church musician. In this episode of regarding music, we discuss Michael's path to becoming a church musician, the importance of gaining exposure to a wide variety of choral repertoire, and some of the unique challenges church musicians face.