Claim OwnershipThat Music Podcast: A Podcast for Elementary Music Teachers
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Description
This show will deliver tips and tricks for elementary music teachers looking to create high-quality musical experiences for students in the general music classroom.This show will provide answers to questions like:*How do I create an inclusive music classroom?*How do I sequence my elementary music lessons?*How to teach elementary music?*What songs should I use in my general music classroom?*How do I balance work and life as a music teacher?
198 Episodes
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Send us a text In this episode of That Music Podcast, Bryson dives into one of his favorite rhythmic concepts to teach, tika-tika (four sixteenth notes), and shares five of his go-to songs for making this rhythm come alive in the elementary music room. With an eye toward thoughtful repertoire choices, he explores how to move beyond outdated or problematic songs and still bring the fun with engaging, student-approved activities. From play parties to original compositions, Bryson highlights way...
Send us a text In this episode, Bryson introduces a fresh way of thinking about your curriculum by flipping the script: instead of hunting down songs to teach concepts, what if your repertoire guided the concepts you teach? He breaks down his Repertoire-Based Curriculum Framework: a practical, cyclical approach to choosing, organizing, and using high-quality music that’s both authentic and pedagogically powerful. Plus, Bryson shares how you can get hands-on with this approach in the free Repe...
Send us a text In this milestone episode of That Music Podcast, Bryson celebrates 200 episodes by digging into one of the most essential building blocks of elementary music: steady beat. He shares his top five favorite songs and chants that make steady beat practice fun and meaningful, along with how he uses them in the classroom to get kids moving, feeling the beat, and engaged. Whether you’re new to teaching steady beat or looking for fresh ideas to deepen your students’ rhythmic foundation...
Send us a text In this episode, Bryson sits down with Carrie Nicholas and Tanya LeJeune from Music Teacher Coffee Talk to explore the magic of double duty songs, those special tunes that can support teaching multiple musical concepts over time. They talk about why these songs are such a lifesaver when time is tight and share thoughtful tips on keeping your students excited and engaged with music they already know. Plus, Carrie and Tanya give us a sneak peek at their upcoming masterclass insid...
Send us a text In this episode of That Music Podcast, Bryson dives into a challenging topic many music teachers face: those familiar songs that might actually have a questionable past. He explores why it’s important to reconsider what we include in our classrooms and offers thoughtful ways to identify and replace songs that don’t align with creating safe, inclusive spaces for all students. If you’ve ever wondered how to handle the songs you’ve “always used,” this episode provides practical in...
Send us a text In this episode of That Music Podcast, Bryson tackles a tough but essential topic: how to include music and cultural activities that aren’t from our own backgrounds in a way that’s authentic and respectful. He shares practical advice on research, avoiding stereotypes, and when—and how—to adapt materials for the classroom. If you’ve ever wondered how to bring diverse music into your teaching without missteps, this episode offers thoughtful guidance and encouragement to get start...
Send us a text In this episode of That Music Podcast, Bryson sits down with Melissa Fuller Flores to chat about celebrating Filipino American History Month in the elementary music classroom. Melissa opens up about her personal ties to the Filipino community and how music plays such a special role in Filipino culture. Together, they dive into fun, hands-on ideas you can bring to your classroom, think clapping games, folk songs, and partner-picking activities, all while keeping cultural respect...
Send us a text Learning student names isn’t just a classroom management strategy; it’s a powerful way to build trust, connection, and community from day one. In this episode, Bryson shares five practical, low-stress ways to confidently learn student names, even when teaching hundreds of kids each week. It’s all about starting strong and showing students they matter, one name at a time. Episode Chapters: 0:00 Introduction2:34 Seating Chart with Pictures4:16 Name Tags5:58 Name Games7:58 Direc...
Send us a text Season 7 kicks off with a fresh invitation to pause, reflect, and set meaningful intentions for the school year ahead. In this episode of That Music Podcast, Bryson shares six thoughtful reflection prompts designed to help music teachers process last year’s highs and lows, from student breakthroughs to classroom challenges and personal wellbeing. Listeners will walk away with actionable ways to build on their successes, learn from missteps, and bring more joy and intention into...
Send us a text In this season finale of That Music Podcast, Bryson reflects on the journey of the show from its early days to now, sharing his excitement for what’s ahead in Season 7. He highlights how the podcast has grown alongside his transition out of the classroom and how the addition of YouTube has opened new ways to connect. Bryson thanks listeners for their support and feedback this season, inviting the community to share ideas, guest suggestions, and topics they want explored...
Send us a text The Elementary Music Summit® is back for its fourth summer, offering five days of content-specific professional development tailored for elementary music teachers. Bryson shares all the exciting details about this year’s event, happening July 7–11, including 28 expert speakers, live sessions with 24-hour replay access, and new features. Whether you attend for free or upgrade to the All Access Pass, the Summit provides practical, accessible ideas to help you create engag...
Send us a text Not all PD is created equal—and if you’ve ever sat through a session on a math curriculum you don’t teach, you already know that. In this episode, Bryson breaks down why content-specific professional development is a must for music teachers and how to start advocating for it in your district. He shares three key reasons why general PD often misses the mark for music educators and offers actionable steps for finding, requesting, and justifying music-focused learning—espe...
Send us a text In this episode of That Music Podcast, Bryson sits down with David Bedard—educator, preschool teacher, and longtime advocate for inclusive music education. You may remember David from his energetic presentation at the Elementary Music Summit, and in today’s conversation, he brings that same heart and insight to a discussion centered on accessibility in the music classroom. Together, David and Bryson explore the barriers students face in traditional music education, the ...
Send us a text In this episode of That Music Podcast, Bryson dives into the exciting yet sometimes nerve-wracking process of preparing for a music teacher interview. Whether you're fresh out of college or exploring new opportunities, Bryson has tons of advice to help you stand out and land that dream job. With insights from his own experience and tips from serving on hiring committees, this episode is packed with useful ideas to help you feel more confident and prepared. Whether you'r...
Send us a text In this episode of That Music Podcast, Bryson dives into a question that many educators face: When is the right time to tell your principal that you're job-searching? Whether you're looking for a new position, interviewing, or planning to leave, this conversation is packed with insights on handling these delicate situations. Episode Chapters: 0:00 Introduction1:42 Bryson’s Personal Insights & Experiences5:08 Asking for a Reference7:00 Next Steps: How to Handl...
Send us a text Packing up your classroom? Whether you’re switching schools, transitioning into retirement, or just heading to a new room down the hall, this episode is packed with practical tips to help make the move a little less overwhelming. Bryson walks you through how to label what’s yours vs. what belongs to the school, strategies for organizing your materials, and how to pack in a way that sets you up for success in your new space. From labeling tricks to storage container sugg...
Send us a text Feeling the end-of-year burnout creeping in? In this episode, BethAnn Hepburn joins Bryson to share simple, creative ways to keep your music classroom feeling joyful and energized—especially when testing is over and attention spans are short. BethAnn shares how movement, outdoor learning, and playful music-making can help match students’ energy and keep things fun all the way through the last week of school. From singing games to drum circles, her ideas are practical, a...
Send us a text Movement in the music room doesn't have to be chaotic, and it definitely shouldn't start with a complex folk dance if your students have never done movement before! In this episode of That Music Podcast, Bryson breaks down a more intentional and developmentally appropriate approach to introducing movement in your classroom. You'll learn how to scaffold movement experiences so that your students can grow in confidence and coordination over time. From unstructured explora...
Send us a text Ever wonder if that movement activity you’re planning is the right fit for your students? In this episode of That Music Podcast, Bryson dives into what it really means for a movement song to be “appropriate.” Tune in for real talk about making thoughtful repertoire choices that support your students, avoid chaos, and create meaningful musical experiences. Whether you’re rocking a parachute or breaking out the scarves, this one’s packed with things to keep in mind as you...
Send us a text Ever felt hesitant to bring movement props into your music room? You’re not alone. In this episode of That Music Podcast, Bryson opens up about his journey from movement prop skeptic to full-on scarf enthusiast. Bryson explores the sensory, motor, and musical benefits of incorporating props, how they can help students feel more confident, and why movement can deepen your students’ understanding of musical concepts like tempo and dynamics. From stretchy bands and parachu...
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