Choralosophy
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© Chris Munce
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This page is dedicated to driving a conversation for choral musicians with the PHILOSOPHY of Choral Music at the heart of every post and podcast episode. Topics will be wide ranging from the technical aspects of our jobs and careers all the way to the artistic interpretations and values that make us who we are as artists. Join me in this conversation in which I hope we can learn from each other.
347 Episodes
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I’ve said for a long time that music education is at a crossroads—but depending on who you ask, we’re either evolving… or we’re missing the point entirely. Are traditional school music programs—band, choir, orchestra—reaching enough students? And if not, why? There’s a growing narrative in music education right now that what we’ve been doing for … Continue reading "Episode 284: Is the Ensemble Model Outdated? With Kevin Droe"
A one of a kind event happened at this year’s convention of the Southwest Region of American Choral Directors. We gathered a panel of thoughtful professionals and an inquisitive crowd of colleagues and had an “unsafe” conversation in public. And what do you know? No one threw tomatoes! Are we speaking a language our communities … Continue reading "Episode 283: Beyond the Buzzwords Live at SWACDA"
Among the more misunderstood, mischaracterized, and confusing topics discussed on this show is Literacy. What is it? What is it not? It’s time to include a wider lens here beyond vocal and elementary general classrooms. Instrumental music has its own pitfalls. Let’s compare notes. Rethinking Music Literacy: Beyond Button Pushing. Finally! Another “music is a … Continue reading "Episode 282: Music Literacy is MORE Than Pushing Buttons"
Part Two of a New Series: Give Them Tools and Let Them Build is based on a premise. We are not the music makers. Our students are. So, are we teaching them songs? Or the tools used to build songs? Who is the hardest working person in your classroom? Spoiler alert: it should NOT be … Continue reading "Episode 281: Give Them Tools and Let Them Build Part 2"
The First Part of a New Series: Give Them Tools and Let Them Build is based on a premise. We are not the music makers. Our students are. So, are we teaching them songs? Or the tools used to build songs? Who is the hardest working person in your classroom? Spoiler alert: it should NOT … Continue reading "Episode 280: Give Them Tools and Let Them Build Part 1"
Is a podcast “real PD?” Is it a trustworthy source of information? What are the best ways to use one? What are the worst? Why do music educators listen? In this conversation, Theresa Hoover, a music educator and researcher who advocates for “passing the baton” to students through a book and podcast by the same … Continue reading "Episode 279: Music Ed Podcasts From the Research Perspective with Theresa Hoover"
Seven years ago, Choralosophy was an experiment. Today, it’s a career. It is a job, no different than your job, albeit a bit more public. Today is the show’s 7th birthday. Here is what I’ve learned: As I hit this milestone, I’ve been reflecting on how the landscape of “online work” has shifted—and how it … Continue reading "Episode 278: 7 Years of Choralosophy from BEHIND the Mic"
An important distinction for young teachers: we want our students to view our class as safe, free and open. But, in order to do this, there must be an “operating system” running in the background. A clearly defined structure, procedures, and yes, rules. (Clutches pearls.) In this conversation, Kevin Lackie joins me to discuss the … Continue reading "Episode 277: Structured Classrooms are Safer with Kevin Lackie"
It can be so tempting for ensemble music directors to fall into a kind of tunnel vision where all roads lead to the “top group” or most advanced ensemble. After all, they are often the ones able to showcase the “culmination” of what our program can do. But this must not be done at the … Continue reading "Episode 276: Your Program Depends on the “Beginners” with Bruce Rockwell"
As much as we would love it to not be the case, Americans still see Black Musicians and make certain assumptions. Black Choir? It must be gospel? Black Band? It must be high steppers and baton twirlers. The issue is not these proud musical traditions. The issue is the box that stereotypes put people in. … Continue reading "Episode 275: The Duality of HBCU Musicians with Dr. Craig Robertson"
When I scroll around the internet, I see more and more examples of great choir rehearsals going on around the world. It’s an exciting time to be a member of this profession! But, it also gives me a sense of how hard we all are working to get sound out of kids. Do we need … Continue reading "Episode 274: Work Less Hard than Your Students"
Pedagogy, it could be argued, is a meaningless academic fantasy if it isn’t proficiently applied. In music, we can do all of the “right” methods. Solfege, Takadimi, count singing etc. But, does it matter if they can’t use it to make music? In this next iteration of the “The First Days of Choir,” inspired by … Continue reading "Episode 273: Applying the Whole Language of Music"
Sometimes as performing artists, we are hyper focused on “the polished finished product.” Tori Longdon creates stunning finished products, but along the way, she is letting people in to see how the sausage is made in warm ups. And people LOVE it. Maybe there is something important there. An insight brought about by the social … Continue reading "Episode 272: In Service of a Singing Culture with Tori Longdon"
Don’t you love it when everything about a performance, and it’s preparation is completely perfect?! Well, it must be nice for you… I am pretty sure this does not exist. But, we can pretend with this new epic poem, “The Perfect Choir.” In this episode, we reflect on the year 2025 and its most critical … Continue reading "How to have “The Perfect Choir”and 2025 Top 10!"
“Education’s Race to the Bottom of the Brainstem,” episode 264 generated a lot of discussion. But, none more productive than this one. This week’s guest did it right. She listened, and let me know that more needs to be said on this. “Can I chime in?” Enter, Dr. Clelyn Chapin Dr. Chapin, a professor at … Continue reading "Episode 271: Responding to the Challenge in Education with Clelyn Chapin"
The Choral Music Art form, AND the economics of the art form are changing. That makes some people uncomfortable. But, others, like Jocelyn and Tim are driving their fair share of that innovation. Jocelyn Hagan and Tim Takach, co-owners of Graphite Publishing, discuss their journey in the choral music industry, the evolution of their publishing … Continue reading "Episode 270: Balancing Tradition with Innovation with Jocelyn Hagen and Timothy C. Takach"
Possibly the most important philosophical divide in music education, and we rarely discuss it outside of echo chambers. A deep dive into the claim that Classical Music is “hegemonic” or dominant. Some music academics operate as if “classical music” sits at the center of cultural power, imposing itself on everyone else in an oppressive way … Continue reading "Episode 269: “Classical” Music: An Endangered Species"
There are some fascinating philosophical divides in Music Education. And we don’t discuss them enough. What does “inclusive” music education really look like? Shane Colqohoun is an instrumental music educator who possesses a rare super power. He can recognize areas where he both agrees AND disagrees with the philosophies of others, and is not scared … Continue reading "Episode 268: More Music for More Students with Shane Colquhoun"
Young teachers bailing from the classroom within the first 5 years is an epidemic. Many things contribute to this, but one factor is the expectations young teachers bring in. Are they always realistic? Mitch is a young conductor and teacher who believes, in his own words, “that he sucks dog-water” at teaching. So, two years … Continue reading "Episode 267: The Choir Teacher that Sucks with Mitch Al-Ubaidi"
“We need to go beyond compliance in evaluations.” How many teachers experience administration in their classroom for the purpose of understanding their day to day, rather than to check a box? Justin Baeder advocates a different approach. “Tradition often hinders innovation in education.” Teacher evaluations not only create unproductive incentives, but rarely result in meaningful, … Continue reading "Episode 266: Leading with Intention with Dr. Justin Baeder"
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