How’s your energy? Where are you finding ideas, innovation, and motivation? Are you still setting yourself up for success? It’s about this time each fall that we start to get a little tired - the perfect chance to bring the energizer himself, Dr. Jeff Redding, on the show! Dr. Redding is a recruiting, energizing, and motivating phenom! In this episode he shares how he successfully transitioned from his longterm career at West Orange High School in Orlando, FL to become Director of Choral Activities at the University of Central Florida. He shares the tools that got him through the transition, tips for the dynamite recruitment plan he is currently executing perfectly, and nuggets of wisdom that will fill your soul and pour out into your singers. Learn in this episode the power of empathy for yourself, others, and the music as we all celebrate the small victories and grow….together.

**This episode sponsored by Kinnison Choral Company! They believe in what matters - impacting lives - and I believe in their products. Next time you’re looking for new tools, check them out, you’re going to love their product! Use code “MUSICMATTERS” for a 20% discount! Find out more about Charlie and Carrie Kinnison and Kinnison Choral Company at www.kinnisonchoralco.com!

*Show music originally written by Mr. Todd Monsell
**Show photography provided by Dr. Dan Biggerstaff

Still not convinced of the fun, joy, and benefits of Barbershop? Want to know that first-time barbershop singers think and get a quick tutorial on Dr. Burch’s Favorite tags? In this quick bonus episode, Dr. Burch shares thoughts directly from the singers as well as their Barbershop favs (so far). In the process, you’ll hear about some of the things they’ve done for success, engagement, and fun in rehearsals. This episode includes student responses from the choristers in RISE Chorales Savannah. You will walk away from this episode with things you can use in choir immediately!

Resources used in this episode:
https://www.barbershoptags.com/
https://youtu.be/G4vbh0iFEww?t=45
https://youtu.be/lGP2lGxo2nI?t=180
https://files.barbershop.org/PDFs/Free-Sheet-Music/Tee-idle-Dum-Dum.pdf
RISEchorales.com

**This episode sponsored by Kinnison Choral Company! They believe in what matters - impacting lives - and I believe in their products. Next time you’re looking for new tools, check them out, you’re going to love their product! Use code “MUSICMATTERS” for a 20% discount! Find out more about Charlie and Carrie Kinnison and Kinnison Choral Company at www.kinnisonchoralco.com!

*Show music originally written by Mr. Todd Monsell
**Show photography provided by Dr. Dan Biggerstaff

In case you didn’t know, my friend, your voice matters! That is exactly why today’s guests do what they do. Specifically: What is your why? What is your goal? This episode introduces you to the dynamite duo behind Kinnison Choral Company! Former classroom choir teachers, Charlie and Carrie Kinnison, created their company to help teachers reach their dreams of creating artistry and impact the world through choral music. They share their “why” and big goals for the business, how their resources can help you and your singers, and leave the listener with inspiration and joy.

Big news here too - Kinnison Choral Company is now an official sponsor of the “Music (ed) Matters” podcast! They believe in what matters - impacting lives - and I believe in their products. So, next time you’re looking for new tools, check them out, you’re going to love their product! Use code “MUSICMATTERS” for a 20% discount!

Find out more about Charlie and Carrie Kinnison and Kinnison Music at www.kinnisonchoralco.com!

*Show music originally written by Mr. Todd Monsell
**Show photography provided by Dr. Dan Biggerstaff

Ever wondered what non-music-major college students wish they knew about music? This series is for you! Students in my “intro” classes at the University level posed questions they would ask “if they could ask anything on a music podcast.” Listen to these for fun, to remember why we love this awesome musical life, to potentially learn something new, and mostly….to smile! This is the first of many, as I now have quite a collection of questions thanks to my latest “bonus” activity for the college classes.

Big shout out to QuaverMusic.com, Jesse Strickland’s Two-Minute Music Theory and Music History on YouTube, and The Choir Baton Podcast and Website with Beth Philemon.

Check out our show sponsor, Kinnison Choral Company at Www.kinnisonchoralco.com! Use “MUSICMATTERS” for a 20% discount.

*Show music originally written by Mr. Todd Monsell
**Show photography provided by Dr. Dan Biggerstaff

To celebrate my birthday, I’m re-releasing two of my favorite episodes from the “Music (ed) Matters” PD Week - the two episodes on vocal technique with adolescent singers with Mr. Vic Oakes and Dr. Lynne Gackle! I hope you enjoy these “gifts” from me to you. Thanks for listening, thanks for supporting, and thanks for being a part of this podcaster’s dream!

1. Vocal Tech with Vic Oakes

Come with us as we explore aspects of the changing/expanding adolescent male singing voice through our examination of the physiology, psychology, and "phrustrations" of working with this stage of the developing singer.  Strategies for working with these singers, positively including them in the choral rehearsal, and encouraging continued growth and exploration through the "storm and stress" of the voice change will be explored, augmented with recordings of voices from a child voice through early adolescence.  This fun episode is a long one, so if you need to, feel free to break it up into two parts. The first, listening to the difference between a child’s voice and that of an almost adolescent just starting to demonstrate gaps and an expanded range. The second, which begins almost exactly at the halfway point, outlining tips for rehearsal and tools your singers can use to navigate through the uncertainty (and fun) of each day. 

There is a powerpoint PDF available for you as you listen, check it out at EmmyBurch.org/podcast.

2. Vocal Tech with Dr. Lynne Gackle

Adolescent Female voice expert, Dr. Lynne Gackle, walks us through the four phases of the female voice change. Not only does she provide helpful analysis and voice-placement tips, she provides examples of spoken and sung passages from women in the process. You’ll want to listen to this one all the way through as she drops absolutely GOLD along the way, sharing stories and changing lives. Something I can’t wait to start with my singers is her voice-tracking sheet. They offer our singers an opportunity for leadership, ownership, and understanding. The entire episode will offer you ideas to empower your adolescent female voices through a somewhat tricky, frustrating, and challenging time and ensure they keep on singing.

There is a powerpoint PDF available for you as you listen, check it out at EmilyBurch.org/podcast.

Want to learn more? Check out Dr. Gackle’s book: Finding Ophelia's Voice, Opening Ophelia's Heart: Nurturing the Adolescent Female Voice: An Exploration of the Physiological, Psychological, and Musical Developments of Female Students https://www.amazon.com/dp/142911858X/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_SehiFbF44M6NW.

Join us for more content, access all the Teacher PD Week Content, and more at Patreon.com/MusicEdMatters.

*Show music originally written by Mr. Todd Monsell
**Show photography provided by Dr. Dan Biggerstaff

What do Dr. Craig Hurley’s research and your singers’ musicality have in common - everything! In this episode, Dr. Hurley shares his incredible research into infusing expression and what he’s found about singer artistry while compiling data for his study. For those research lovers out there, we talk about data and how the study was set up, even where the research question came from (hint: thanks Robert Shaw and an article by Dr. Cornelia Yarbrough). For those uninspired by research, don’t worry, Dr. Hurley is an elementary specialist who has perfected the ability to transfer research into tangible tools that, as he says, “will impact rehearsal tomorrow.” Whether you have 5 year-old new singers, a community choir of all ages, or the most advanced college choir, this episode and Dr. Hurley’s research offers ideas you can try in rehearsal immediately.

Dr. Hurley’s Bio: http://www.cobblearning.net/mustangmusic/about/
More resources from Dr. Hurley: http://www.cobblearning.net/mustangmusic/teacherresources/
Learn more about Spivey Hall Children’s Choir and Dr. Hurley’s Young Artists: https://www.facebook.com/shccprogram
Book and article referenced in episode:
Caldwell, J. T. (1995). Expressive singing: Dalcroze eurhythmics for voice. Prentice Hall.

Yarbrough, C. (2002). Sequencing musical tasks: The teaching artistry of Robert Shaw. Update:
Applications of Research in Music Education, 21(1), 30-37.

*Show music originally written by Mr. Todd Monsell
**Show photography provided by Dr. Dan Biggerstaff

An episode with teaching ideas (especially for those kindergarteners) combined with a few technology suggestions (for everyone) and a ton of positive energy. Catie Dwinal is best known as an elementary music technology social media personality and blogger, national conference presenter, and, for her work helping educators across the country successfully integrate digital resources into their instruction. She now works as an EdTech Specialist for QuaverEd. In this episode, we talk about technology and the book she just wrote about it, “Interactive Visual Ideas for Musical Classroom Activities.” We talk about her favorite activity from the book and then how her tech knowledge and ideas can help all of us in a variety of situations. A quick teaching tip you’re sure to get something from!

Catie Dwinal Book and Bio: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/interactive-visual-ideas-for-musical-classroom-activities-9780190929862?lang=en&cc=us
Link to KT’s Blog: https://celticnovelist.com

*Show music was originally written by Mr. Todd Monsell
**Show photography provided by Dr. Dan Biggerstaff

The buzz of excitement from the first few weeks of school may be starting to wane, but what a perfect time to reconnect to our core choir love?! In this episode, Dr. David Langley shares his research and how teachers can apply what he found right now. What started as a nine-month research study aimed at uncovering why people join choir organizations, turned into a spotlight on figuring out what motivates people to join a choir and what keeps them coming back. Dr. Langley offers tips to build the research findings into your rehearsals and classroom both immediately and long-term. We hope this episode reignites your passion, offers you some energy, and provides a jumping-off point for new ideas to keep both you and your singers motivated and coming back for more!

Find out more about Dr. David Langley here: https://cah.georgiasouthern.edu/music/faculty/dr-david-langley/
Read more details from Dr. Langley’s presentation at the National ACDA Children’s and Youth Conductors Retreat in Atlanta 2020: EmilyBurch.org/podcast

*Show music originally written by Mr. Todd Monsell
**Show photography provided by Dr. Dan Biggerstaff

This episode features questions for the first "Music (ed) Matters" Patreon monthly check-in chat. During our time together, we played, laughed, exchanged stories, and then asked questions that would help us "level-up" in everyone's unique musical situation.

The questions in this episode cover technology devices, tools, set-up, suggestions, and more! Have an idea, solution, or question? Let us know! EmilyBurch.org/contact. Want to have your question featured on the next "Dr. is In" episode? Join us at Patreon.com/MusicEdMatters.

Enjoy the show - it is destined to bring you ideas and hopefully make you smile.

*Show music originally written by Mr. Todd Monsell. Closing music adapted by Mr. Matt Carlson.

**Show photography provided by Dr. Dan Biggerstaff

Surprise! An extra episode just in case you’re doing some driving or extra outside relaxing time this holiday weekend.

Find your virtual teaching persona! But HOW!? Blair Children’s Choir Director and expert teacher, Mary Biddlecombe, shares strategies, methods and ideas that she used with her singers last spring. Trial and error, grace, and fun - you will walk away from this episode with immediately implementable ideas for your next rehearsal - one that is destined to be engaging, entertaining, and productive.

Virtual rehearsal ideas specific to rounds https://youtu.be/A2QCOQLfN-g.
More rehearsal training and ideas at ChorAmor.com.
Direct link to ChorAmor archived videos https://www.choramor.com/training-videos.