Tag: PANDEMIC

https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/choralosophy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Ep-168.mp3

@choralosophypodca

For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

Learn more about Nathan and the Wolfpack Choir here.

Glacier High School Choirs in Kalispell, Montana, is made up of 5 curricular choirs and 2 extracurricular choirs, including 150 students in 9th-12th grades. Nathan Connell is in his 5th year of serving as the director at GHS. Nathan double majored in percussion performance and vocal education at Morehead State University in Morehead, Kentucky. Nathan serves as the HS Repertoire and Resource chair for the NW ACDA region. He loves connecting kids with current composers and hosts an annual composer festival bringing Montana students together to work with composers like Jake Runestad, Ryan Main, Ethan Sperry, and more. As a percussionist, Nathan performs regularly in the Glacier Symphony percussion section, and has performed and taught with the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps from Denver, Colorado.

View on Instagram

www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!

Receive 10% Discount on your orders at http://www.graphitepublishing.com where you will find the works of Jocelyn Hagen, Eric Barnum, Timothy C. Takach,
Paul Rudoi and MANY more.

RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!

Visit stageright.com for top of the line, affordable staging options like risers, acoustical shells and more!

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.com

The Choralosophy Music Literacy Suite

July 13, 2023July 17, 2023

Episode 157: Civic Renewal Through Ensemble with Chris and Beth Munce

Last week, instead of a typical adult getaway for our anniversary, Beth and I attended the National Conference of Braver Angels. From the Mission Statement:

Americans on opposite sides of the political spectrum don’t only disagree on issues — they increasingly dislike one another. This growing partisan animosity is the crisis of our time and threatens our nation. Braver Angels exists to address this challenge.
Braver Angels Mission

For many who have followed this show over the last 4 and a half years, you might notice that this mission is also the mission of the Choralosophy Podcast. I believe that we in Music Education suffer from this affliction as well as the broader society. In many ways, because of the politically homogenous nature of the Education and Performing Arts communities, we have it WORSE than society at large. We are badly in need of a dose of our own Civic Renewal. To this end, I am proud to say that the Choralosophy Podcast is now a part of the Braver Network of organizations and media outlets willing to stand up for the value of bringing everyone to the table to find common ground. As listeners, YOU can join for FREE as part the Choralosophy community.

I see a VERY obvious role for music ensembles to play in this project. The metaphors should be obvious. How many of our choirs, bands, and orchestras bring together people with a true diversity of world views? How intentional are we about creating an environment where ALL of our singers and players are able to bring their WHOLE selves to class or to rehearsal. Ensemble music is one of the biggest sources of opportunity for large numbers of people to gather IN PERSON to unite on a common project. This project of music requires that they set aside their political projects to focus on what they can accomplish TOGETHER.

July 13, 2023July 13, 2023

The Challenge We Face (From Braver Angels Website)

As we separate into groups that increasingly do not even know, or interact with, people of differing opinions, we lose trust in our institutions, eroding the ability to govern ourselves and lowering the caliber of citizenship. This growing trend coarsens public debate, produces policy gridlock, shrinks our capacity for goodwill, and harms our family and personal relationships. Effective self government depends precisely on what this type of polarization destroys. We believe the American Experiment can survive and thrive for every American who contributes to the effort. Where we go from here is up to us. This is the driving force that fuels our mission.

Past Episodes with Braver Angels Leaders

Episode 110: Creating Laboratories for Friction with Mónica GuzmánMonica Guzman

Episode 157: Civic Renewal Through Ensemble with Chris and Beth Munce

Last week, instead of a typical adult getaway for our anniversary, Beth and I attended the National Conference of Braver Angels. From the Mission Statement:

Americans on opposite sides of the political spectrum don’t only disagree on issues — they increasingly dislike one another. This growing partisan animosity is the crisis of our time and threatens our nation. Braver Angels exists to address this challenge.
Braver Angels Mission

https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/choralosophy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Ep-157.mp3

The Challenge We Face (From Braver Angels Website)

Past Episodes with Braver Angels Leaders

May 25, 2023May 24, 2023

Episode 150: Choir After the Pandemic with Emmy Burch and Chris Munce DURING the Pandemic

Now that the pandemic is officially over, I thought it would be a good time to release this audio I captured back in April of 2021. About 30 of us brave Choralosophers gathered in Atlanta back when NO ONE was doing in person conventions to have a mini choral summit. One of those sessions was led by Emmy Burch and myself about the things that spark us to create, and the fears that hold us back from creating them. At the time this conversation occurred, we were all afraid of what was to come. I find this to be a fascinating time capsule to a time a little over two years ago, in which many of us had nothing else to do other than dream.

You will hear thoughts about the gaps we have between our abundance of choral instructors, and the much needed “choral entrepreneur,” that I think is so crucial to the future of our profession. We will also hear from session attendees about their ideas and fears. Tune in!

https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/choralosophy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Ep-150-1.mp3

Get the POWERFUL tool for your classroom with the Choralosophy Discount!

Pandemic Coverage on Choralosophy

December 7, 2022December 6, 2022

Episode 129: Channeling Emotional Contagion with Dr. Gary Seighman

There is an often felt, but rarely quantified sense within ensemble music experiences that something truly MAGICAL is happening that changes us profoundly. However, recent
scientific discoveries (link to sources below) are adding a more concrete validity to that which experienced musicians already intuitively know. Studies that reveal the physiological and psychological processes of cooperative effort, especially musical collaboration. The implications of these ideas are beginning to shape our very definition of “ensemble,” while providing new understandings of the benefits of group musical expression on the individual. Dr. Gary Seighman joins me to make some truly crucial observations about our art form and the human instrument.

“Presently, topics pertaining to musical perception and creativity are highly popular in neuroscience research. A major development in the field was the proposing of a human mirror neuron system. After the discovery in rhesus monkeys of “mirror neurons” that fire during both action and observation of motor behavior, scientists detected a similar working system in the fronto-parietal region of humans.” -From Gary’s related Choral Journal Article

https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/choralosophy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Ep-129.mp3

Gary Seighman is Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at Trinity University in San Antonio, TX where he oversees a comprehensive choral program and teaches courses in conducting and music education. Under his direction, Trinity’s choral ensembles have garnered regional and national accolades with invited performances at conferences including TMEA, the College Music Society, the National Collegiate Choral Organization, frequent international touring, and most recently, 3rd place for the 2022 The American Prize Competition as the smallest university in the country among the finalists. Recent professional engagements include Nashville, New York City, Taipei, Vienna, London, and Dublin. Dr. Seighman holds degrees from Westminster Choir College, the University of Oklahoma, and the University of Maryland. His wife, Dr. Jennifer Seighman, is also a choral conductor and they have 2 children, Justin and Gabrielle.

Gary’s “Choir IQ”

Notes and Sources

YouTube Channel

For more on this topic from Gary, visit Forward Motion

September 28, 2022September 29, 2022

Episode 119: Yes Middle Schoolers CAN! with Dale Duncan

In this episode I sit down with THE Middle School choir guru, Dale Duncan to talk about sweet spot for success in Middle School vocal music. Middle School Singers are often overlooked and underestimated. What they need is an educator that believes in them, and provides high quality instruction in a school that supports them. We talk about the balance between high expectations, trust building, pitch matching in puberty, motivation of middle schoolers, connection and belonging and how they all serve each other. Dale also shares a bit about what it is like to be retired, his favorite things about teaching Middle School as well as talks through some of its greatest challenges. We ranged a bit into other areas too like pre and post pandemic choral music, and education and some of the changes we have seen, as well as why years 20-30 can be the “prime years” for teachers.

https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/choralosophy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Ep-119.mp3

Episode 119

From Dale’s Website

I have taught middle school students for well over 20 years. I currently teach over 340 un-auditioned choral students. I have up to 84 students in one class by myself. I could never have managed that as a young teacher, but along the way, I have learned several tips and tricks to help me successfully manage this age group of students in a positive learning environment.

I started my career in North Carolina where I taught for 5 years. In the beginning, I struggled enormously with classroom management. My middle school students totally “ran over me”. I was unstructured, inconsistent and ineffective. I was discouraged and felt like a total failure. I felt alone. I thought often about quitting teaching and doing something else. I was armed with a masters degree and absolutely no idea how to teach this age group.

I am not a quitter, so I kept going. I observed other teachers, and slowly began to figure a couple of things out that helped me hang in there.

I continued my career in New Jersey for the next 6 years. It was there that I saw an amazingly gifted choral educator who had created the most magnificent middle school choral program I had ever seen. She graciously allowed me to observe her teaching a few times, and that was when things began to click for me. I began to realize how to relate to and successfully teach this age group. That is when my programs began to grow exponentially.

August 13, 2022August 12, 2022

Car Thoughts: Back to School with No Masks and Normalizing Noise Making

Anxiety from within is normal. The belief that students can’t overcome the anxiety can often come from the teacher’s approach. It is critically important to normalize “singing without fear.”

In this car thoughts conversation, we reflect on starting the first “normal” school year in three years. This is a significant opportunity to return normalcy to our students of all levels. I also offer ideas for teachers to consider when thinking about the first days of school, as well ways to structure the first rehearsal’s priorities. How do we set up the expectations that lead to a successful school year?

Also included are ideas about back to school retreats, the CDC’s relaxation of Covid caution recommendations, and the importance of “normal.”

https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/choralosophy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Car-Thoughts-Make-Noise.mp3

Make Singing Sounds with your Mouth Holes!

Car Thoughts

It is important that your first day of school is dominated by singing.
Chris Munce

June 22, 2022July 11, 2022

Episode 108: Dropping the Covid Ball with Dr. Nikki Johnson

The Return of Covid Conversations!

Sadly, many of us in education have lived at the epicenter of the Covid Wars. Possibly the biggest political football during the pandemic has been what to do with the kids, and what to do with schools. For those of us in choral music, we lived at that intersection along with a hysteria created at first by our very own professional organizations. This contributed to a perfect storm of lost positions, cut programs, recruiting problems and a laundry list of misplaced apprehensions about singing. Facts that I am still not sure we have all come to terms with. Of course, it is important to remember that in this cross fire were students and community members displaced from life affirming and often life saving educational and humanizing opportunities. While it is always reasonable to weigh new risks against old norms, it is not reasonable to present our preferred policies as if they have no downsides worthy of heavy consideration. In this episode I speak with Pediatrician, and Covid Policy Advocate Dr. Nikki Johnson about the “Harm Reduction” approach to Covid Policy, the political blinders we all wore or still wear, and many errors in reasoning to which this contributed. One of the big errors singers have made is the role masks play in our safety.

Support the Show

https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/choralosophy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Ep-108.mp3

Amazon Ideas

We also discuss the difference between a high quality signers mask designed to STAY ON while you sing… (Like the new Resonance 95 from MyMusicFolders.com Don’t forget to use your promo code!) and just wearing any old mask for any amount of time, flopping your jaw around willy nilly. Finally, we do a bit of prognosticating about ways to process in a more healthy way in the next wave.

A look back to this audience’s appeal to ACDA about Covid Messaging signed by over 250 colleagues.

Episode 108

A rational approach to Covid policy for our schools and institutions is forward looking, measured and responsive to the most recent information and community health outcomes.

Sign up for a one year membership today and get a month free!

Materials Referenced in the Episode

NYT Article Mentioned RE Mask effectiveness vs. Mask POLICY

The US was an outlier on School Closures

Early in the Pandemic, Europe Was Much Quicker to Get Kids Back to School

Urgency of Normal Toolkit

Episode 173: Culturally Relevant Excellence with Dr. Jeffrey Allen Murdock

This week I am excited to bring you a compelling discussion with the esteemed, and often outspoken Dr. Jeffrey Allen Murdock. In this episode we mainly center on three distinct, but not unrelated topics. First, Dr. Murdock shares his passion for Culturally Relevant pedagogy in the choral context as we discuss what it this concept…

by Choralosophy Podcast November 8, 2023November 14, 2023

Episode 172: Dispelling Myths About Middle School with Ian Henning and Jacob Garcia

Over the years, this Podcast has been a place for many types of conversations, on a variety of topics. But, one of the recurring passions of mine has been the reimagining of the way we teach literacy. Drawing upon the literature known as the “science of reading,” I started noticing that in music education, we…

by Choralosophy Podcast November 2, 2023November 2, 2023

Episode 171: The Culture of Choral Musicianship with David Hill

This week, I have the honor of crossing the pond virtually to discuss the profound yet often overlooked concept of “vocal musicianship.” Joining me is a distinguished guest, David Hill whose passion and advocacy for choral music spans from the professional to the amateur singer. David is the conductor of London’s renowned Bach Choir. We…

by Choralosophy Podcast October 25, 2023October 25, 2023

April 21, 2022July 11, 2022

Episode 99: The World Imagined with Gabriel Jackson

Part of the Oxford Series on the Choralosophy Podcast

Visit Oxford’s Expansive Choral Catalogue!