Choir Baton

This episode in 2019 is the most downloaded Choir Baton Podcast Episode ever. And I get it. This time of year is insane. But last year it wasn’t. Or if it was crazy for you, chances are it wasn’t because you were in a million different performances - you were probably dealing with the pandemic in your own way and with your own family stuff. Did you promise yourself last year that you wouldn’t let your life get too stressful again? And yet find yourself stressed again?You are not alo...

Yep, clickbait title. But real life truths thrown at you in this episode. I'll talk to you about what ONE THING you need to add to your rehearsals this concert season to increase connection and accelerate growth. Follow @ChoirBaton onInstagram | TikTok | YouTube | FacebookVisit ChoirBaton.comFollow @BethPhilemon onInstagram | TikTok | YouTube | Facebook | LinkedInVisit BethPhilemon.comChoir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie HemedingerMusic by: Scott HolmesFollow @ChoirBaton onInstagram | TikTok ...

Burnout is real. In this episode, I encourage you to do less. There is always more we can do as choral musicians and directors. But in order to be able to continue doing what we do, we need to cut down on overloading ourselves. If you’re watching this on YouTube, don’t forget to subscribe, like this video, and let us know what resonated with you from this episode - and if you’re listening to this podcast - be sure to subscribe if you haven’t already - leave us some 5-star choir love in t...

Jenna and discuss the importance of having "choir and ____." As choir teachers, we can get caught up in our work and it become the only thing we do. However, we all have many gifts and abilities. We talk about some different ways to incorporate those in school or outside of the classroom.If you’re watching this on YouTube, don’t forget to subscribe, like this video, and let us know what resonated with you from this episode - and if you’re listening to this podcast - be sure to subscribe if yo...

Jessica Grant and I discuss common themes that I think most, if not all, music teachers can relate to. Amongst other topics we discuss the feeling of belonging and that you are enough and how we can communicate these things to ourselves as well as our students. We also discuss what it means to measure achievement by growth rather than specific goals.You can find Jessica on Instagram @highafternoonti and buy her book on F Flat or Amazon. Thanks for listening to the Choir Baton Podcast where we...

Hey Choir Baton Podcast Listeners, Listen to the basic Choir Baton Choral Musicianship framework I use in the Choir Baton Teaching Membership and courses with friend and middle school choir teacher Benny Dominguez. Benny reached out to me on some questions regarding sequencing, pacing, and more - you’ll get to listen and learn right along with Benny as I walk him through the CBTM way. Thanks for listening to the Choir Baton Podcast where we’re all about More People Singing.&nb...

I had three profound conversations about leadership over the past week and I couldn't not share them with the Choir Baton community. I think we are all familiar with the problem of taking on too many projects and staying busy, as teachers or as musicians. This episode is for you to let you know three important lessons that I learned this week and am still learning on how to be a stronger leader. Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger Music by: Scott HolmesFollow @ChoirBaton onInstagr...

In this episode, I discuss my reasons for leaving the classroom. It was not easy, but there were a lot of factors that impacted my decision. I know that especially during this time, you may be thinking about what you can change and control, and I am here to tell you - it is okay.Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger Music by: Scott HolmesFollow @ChoirBaton onInstagram | TikTok | YouTube | FacebookVisit ChoirBaton.comFollow @BethPhilemon onInstagram | TikTok | YouTube | Facebook | Li...

In this episode, Chantae and I discuss the many ways that students can have ownership of the music process in the choral classroom. This conversation led to topics such as sight reading, independence, and giving students leadership opportunities. Chantae D. Pittman is the Director of Choral Activities at Campbell High School in Smyrna, GA. Ms. Pittman is passionate about all forms of music. She is deeply committed to serving her community through music, and is a proud graduate of Tennessee St...

I discovered Becky on Instagram as a @beckyparkonposhmark and her work as a high school choir teacher and a clothes reseller. In this episode, we discuss having passions outside of choir and our dive into the true impact choir can have in a student's life that is not just musical. Learn more about Becky or connect with her through Instagram or YouTubeChoir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger Music by: Scott HolmesFollow @ChoirBaton onInstagram | TikTok | YouTube | FacebookVisit ChoirBat...

Marshall Butler has impacted many student's lives over his years teaching. In this interview, we talk about the teamwork aspect of choir as well as many other important topics and memories from his years teaching. This interview is especially meaningful to me because Mr. Butler taught for 24 years at Sanderson and left shortly before I took the position at Sanderson High School.Since March, Dr. Marshall Butler, Jr. has been engraving/transcribing Classical Voice and Piano Music of African Ame...

Today I am joined by my former co-worker and dear friend, Mr. Alexander Alberti. We cover a variety of different areas in this podcast but one that stuck out to me in particular was this idea of "breaking the cycle of expectations" in teaching music the way it has always been taught. We have so many resources at our disposal, we should take advantage of technology, community members, and our students' interests when we are teaching. Alex Alberti is the current Director of Instrumental Music a...

It is the first Choir Baton episode of 2021! In this podcast, I discuss the Revamp course I am offering to help you start the new year and the new semester prepared and ready to embrace changes and circumstances as they come. Join me through an episode of reflection as you reflect on your own year and the things you have learned from it. To enroll in the Revamp course, click hereChoir Baton Host: Beth Philemon | Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie HemedingerFor more information on Choir Bato...

Hello, Choir Baton Community. In this episode I address the reasons and process for creating the Choir Baton Teaching Membership. I talk about the gaps that I found as a teacher and how I have worked to fill them. Our students want to know the "why" of everything we teach, listen to find out ways to give that to them! Choir Baton Host: Beth Philemon | Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie HemedingerFor more information on Choir Baton please visit choirbaton.com and to follow us on Instag...

This episode is a sequel episode to 26. It's the Most Wonderfully Stressful Time of the Year. In a year without concerts, gigs, and performances to plan, rehearse for, and execute, we do not have the same stressors as usual. However, we have had plenty of other struggles through the year and especially this season. You may have found yourself comparing your program to others more frequently because of the increase in social media during this time and may be feeling insufficient or envious of ...

In this conversation we talk about participatory culture and how it relates to adjustments and rethinking the music curriculum. Evan Tobias is Associate Professor of Music Learning and Teaching at Arizona State University where he heads the Consortium for Innovation and Transformation in Music Education citme.asu.edu. He is also Director of ArtsWork: The Kax Herberger Center for Children and the Arts, which forwards arts and design programming, education, and research in relation to young peo...

Our fear of judgement can often hold us back from reaching our full potential. Listen as I discuss this as well as other topics of Music Service Learning, the importance of listening, and more in this conversation with Marci Major and Hannah Knauss, co-authors of the book Choral Connection. Dr. Marci Major serves as Chair and Associate Professor of Music Education at West Chester University, PA, and directs the Bel Canto ensemble with the Kennett Symphony Children’s Chorus. Additionally she f...

Listen to this episode to hear all of the ways Kaitlin Simonson has been creatively overcoming virtual learning as a barrier and engaging students in singing in new ways! Kaitlin Simonson teaches music at The Brearley School in Manhattan, and is the conductor of the Lux Mea Women’s Chorus. She relocated to New York four years ago after teaching choir at Canarelli Middle School in Las Vegas, NV. Under her direction, the six choirs performed throughout the southwest earning superior rating...

After a life changing performance experience watching the Dallas Street Choir sing at national ACDA conference a couple years ago, I have the honor of interviewing Dr. Jonathan Palant, the conductor. Listen to hear his perspective on inequality in music and making a community space for singing. Jonathan Palant is Associate Professor and Director of Choral Activities at the University of Texas at Dallas and is founder and conductor of both Credo, a 140-member community choir, and the Dallas St...

This interview is with my former high school teacher and one of my reasons for going into music education, listen for stories and powerful conversation.Diane Covington served as Choral Director at Leesville Road High School in Raleigh, North Carolina for 19 years. During her tenure there, the Leesville Road Choral Department grew in numbers from 32 singers to its enrollment of 200 upon her retirement. Prior to moving to North Carolina, Mrs. Covington was the Choral Director at Fai...

In this episode, my professor at North Carolina University in the MBA program shares his insight about changing professions, transferrable skills, and the value of teachers. Chris is an adjunct professor, strategy, leadership and innovation consultant, and the President and COO of a boutique management consulting firm. He has served in six general management and senior level roles, ranging from startups, state agencies, turnarounds, and high growth companies over his 35 + year career.Chris ha...

Emmy and I discuss a wide range of topics but we keep returning to the "why." Knowing the "why" of anything you do is important, listen to this episode to find out more about how to find your purpose and self-reflect. Dr. Emily Williams Burch is the founder and artistic director of RISE Chorales, a community choir organization in Savannah, GA with a mission of experiencing musical artistry, education, and personal growth through the choral arts and community experiences. Burch received her Do...

Join me in this episode with Tori Cook as we discuss the intersection of music and business, the future of community choirs, the innovation of the choral community during Covid-19, and much more!Tori Cook is the Director of Sales & Marketing at Chorus Connection. She sings with the Tanglewood Festival Chorus and is a board member of the Greater Boston Choral Consortium. In a past life, she was the Music Director of the Harborlight Show Chorus and President of Chorus pro Musica in Boston. ...

I met Tommy Economou through a Tik Tok he made about the influence choir has had on his professional singing career with his band. Listen to find out more about how growing up in choir has made an impact on his current life and how Tik Tok has brought musicians together during these pandemic times. You can connect with Tommy and his band More Fatter with the info below:Instagram: @MoreFatterWebsite: morefatter.liveFind their music on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and more!Check out the YouTu...

In this episode, I talk about how we as musicians and especially as music teachers often find it hard to ask for help. I discuss the stigma around seeking assistance both in our classrooms and personal life and I share some examples from my own life. When we ask for help, it allows us to focus our attention on things that need it.Choir Baton Host: Beth Philemon | Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie HemedingerFor more information on Choir Baton please visit choirbaton.com and to follow us on ...

This interview was conducted with two former students of mine: Maggie Hemedinger and Jonathan Pelletier. Jonathan is a senior civil engineering student at North Carolina State University and continues to sing in his university's ensemble. Maggie is a senior music education and Hispanic Studies major at East Carolina University. In this episode, they discuss bonding over choir, the applicable skills from choir in the real world and several other nerdy choir topics.You can find Maggie on Instag...

Long time friend and colleague, Troy Meeker, shares his experience with addressing the fear of failure in the choir classroom. How can we show students that it is okay to make mistakes? How can we show ourselves that it is okay to make mistakes? Taking the time to grapple with this makes us better musicians and better humans. We also discuss some of the ways Troy Meeker has created a choral community in schools from chocolate chip cookies on the first day of class to creating self-suffic...

You don't want to talk about this, but we must. As we come to grips with rehearsing through a variety of digital and socially-distanced means, we must determine what "concerts" will look like in the future. Research indicates that more people are watching concerts live/ live-streaming these days (shocker) but once concerts are "reinstated" - research also shows people will be more hesitant to attend in-person events, especially those at higher risk. What does that mean for us? Two solutions a...

New to the Choir Baton podcast? OG Choir Baton podcast listener? Somewhere in between? In this episode, I'm recapping the last 50 episodes to help you find which one you've forgotten about, where to start if you're not sure, or highlighting some of your favorite moments. Have a favorite episode? Let me know, I'd love to hear.A friendly reminder to join the Choir Baton Teaching Membership now through the end of August if you're interested. I'm here to support you through this podcast, Yo...

I am incredibly particular in my approach to teaching music literacy because when I'm teaching music literacy, I'm teaching music. I'm teaching everything. I don't do voice placements, I do this. I don't start with teaching quarter notes, I do this. I don't avoid improvisation, I do this. And here's the thing with "this." You can do it online or in person. It's the exact same approach and sequencing.You're about to hear three different audio recordings...1. My sister describing her thoughts o...

In a time where "normal" just is not a possibility, how do we "unlearn" what we have been learning and teaching for years and move forward with choir in a meaningful but safe way? Change can be scary, especially when we must make drastic changes in a short amount of time, not knowing whether it will be effective or work. In this episode, I walk through many choral concepts and thoughts I have had to work to unlearn in order to improve my choir and my teaching. I reference two articles in this...

This is a long awaited interview with my dear friend and colleague, Darrick King. A native of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Darrick King began his tenure as Director of Choral Activities at Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School - University Connections: School of Design, Arts, & Engineering in July of 2016. Darrick earned a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Winston-Salem State University (2010) and holds a Master of Arts in Choral Conducting from Mansfield University of Pen...

Rebecca Sabree is a choir teacher in Michigan with a love for choir music, but especially show choir. In some places, Show Choir gets a bad rep. (other places, not so) But the important take away from this episode is, "all choir is choir." And if there's ever been a time for the discussion of what "is" choir and what "isn't" choir today - it's now as we engage with the validity of virtual choirs. I hope this episode further challenges you to remember that "all choir is choir" - an extension o...

and the Choir Community Needs to HearSpoiler alert:1. What makes you a choir teacher? (read some of your IG comments here)2. What is choir truly about?3. Focus on what you can control.4. Your voice matters (shout out to my sister here and GSW singer, Ella) 5. American society will never respect teachers like they should. 6. It's okay to want to make money, in fact choral music should probably focus more on this, as should all arts.7. Look for innovation, look for opportunity. It's there.8. Di...

Y'all. I'm throwing down some fire in this week's episode. I'm talking about why I believe online teaching is what you need to plan for this fall but cite examples of how I've used online teaching in my past classroom experiences and know it can be effective. Simultaneously, we need to realize we have to stop teaching people to love our choir more than they love choral singing. This year more than ever needs to be focused on teaching singers how to learn on their own, setting them up for succ...

Today I interview Maria Ellis, founder of Girl Conductor. Maria and I met online over a year ago via, of course, Instagram. If you’ve ever found yourself unsure of how to go after your dreams or in need of choral-inspiration. This episode is for you! Maria Ellis is a Music Educator, Choral Conductor, with over 20 years of choral music experience. Called a “Master Educator” and a “Force of Nature” by Dr. Jim Henry, University of Missouri- St. Louis, she holds a B.M. in Music E...

The Choir Baton podcast was started with a desire to record real conversations with people about choir. I can think of no more of real conversation than to trace the journey of a new choir teacher. Over the course of the past year I have talked with Nyi Nyi Myin and Lamar Davis as they started student teaching, finished student teaching, and now have finished their first year of teaching. We reflect on the past two years, what they’ve learned, and where they’re going. Follow Nyi Nyi Myin...

In graduate school, I was an assistant conductor with the Master Chorale of Flagstaff. This experience was transformative for a multitude of reasons, two of which you’ll hear about here. Working with this choir each week I established relationships with community members who loved to sing. I always identified more with non-music majors than music majors in undergrad, so these singers were a unique respite. (No hate to my fellow music majors, but we are special people.) I also began to realize...

The power of the Instagram choir community strikes again in this special interview with my dear friend, Emily Campbell. While I was struck with the fact there was another choir teacher posting about choir on Instagram (Yay! - this was a big deal 2 years ago) - I was also more struck by Emily’s openness in sharing her wedding pictures on her school choir social media picture with her wife. At the time I was amidst conversations with a good friend of mine experiencing heartbreak from his commun...

Last year Choir Baton sold shirts with this phrase on it. Since then this phrase has continued to evolve in what it means to me. I’ve struggled to find my voice my entire life both metaphorically and musically. In this 40th episode of the Choir Baton podcast I share about how I’m leaning into owning the enough-ness of my voice both personally and musically. And so my question to you is, do you believe your voice is enough? As choral musicians, how often do we allow the voices of choral “leade...

Have you ever seen someone on Instagram and thought - THIS person - Who is she? Where did she come from? How did she get here? About a year ago I found her on Instagram and was captivated not just by the colorful, Pinterest perfect aesthetic of every aspect of her "grid" but found myself searching Targets for items she was repurposing for her classroom. (I went crazy with the letter spinners) While Katie's IG prowess has only grown since that summer, she went viral in February (listen in for ...

Anyone else get as excited as I do when you hear choral music in mainstream media? When Coldplay released their 2019 album Everyday Life, I was captivated by the song "When I Need a Friend." Fast forward several months and I was lucky enough to sit down with Ben Parry, conductor of that track sung by London Voices. Ben is a conductor, composer, arranger, singer and producer. Former member of the Swingle Singers (his daughter now sings with the ensemble) and collaborator with hundreds of chora...

I'm excited to bring today's Choir Baton episode to you, because it is an example of how someone is innovating in music education, even before the pandemic hit. I was connected with Dr. Sara Gulish through Instagram, and you're about to listen to an Instagram Live we recorded about a month ago.Sarah’s story is an amazing example of how someone found a problem and is delivering a solution. Maybe innovation for you is not creating your own e-publishing commerce site for music education material...

How many times of you struggled to find the exact piece of repertoire for a concert? How many times have you thought you found the perfect piece only to discover the tessitura that sits in all the wrong places?Or there's a four-part TB divisi in a random 2 pages of the piece. Or all of the many other pervading themes that are a part of the struggle for finding repertoire to meet your ensemble's needs.This week's guest on the Choir Baton Podcast is Victoria Boler. Victoria walks us through how...

In an unprecedented era of technology use in choral music, I was curious: how has technology influenced the history of choral music? I knew insight could be found from none other than the god of choral repertoire himself, Dr. Dennis Shrock.As a graduate student in choral conducting his Choral Repertoire book served as our bible for three semesters of choral literature. I poured over the many pages of his scholarship looking for insight into what the best choice would be when I was trying to d...

While you can't give your singers in the Spring of 2020 a final end of the year or semester concert as a culminating experience of the work they've done, I do believe you can provide a unique opportunity to reflect, showcase, and remember their year. Digital Portfolios, my friends. Yes, digital portfolios. Before you dismiss this idea - stay with me. A portfolio is a product that ultimately shows either your best work or how your work has progressed over time. This podcast is an example of a ...

I remember sitting on my bed one day and crying (sobbing) to my best teaching friend, Valerie, that I had made the wrong decision to go to graduate school. That I couldn't do it. I was not good enough and was crazy for thinking I could. Simply put, my first year of graduate school for my masters in music was not easy. But my second year felt like a breeze in comparison. There were many reasons for that, one being this. The one factor that was my constant during those 2 years and provided me a...

My friend Andrew "Andy" Surrena began posting videos of him singing every day at 5pm from his soon-to-be inlaw's farmhouse in New York State amidst our nationwide quarantine. Andy's closing weekend as Romeo in Sarasota's Opera Romeo and Juliet had been cancelled and to encourage the singers to keep performing, the cast launched a 5'clock #SuddenlyOpera movement to encourage everyone to break into song wherever they were at that moment. (Read more here)I met Andy and his now fiance, Emily, dur...

On March 18, Joan made a blog post in response to the emotions she felt surrounding the choir community's various responses to having to "do choir" online amidst Covid-19. That post would quickly go viral and be shared time again by the choir community. Joan's words seemed to stir within our hearts what many of us could not find the words to express. After being so moved by her text and seeing others so moved by it, I felt like there was more to the story and wanted to know more about the wom...

"Launched in November 2014, Flat is an online music sheet edition application. It allows multiple musicians to compose, listen to compositions, and annotate them in real time together, wherever they are in the world, directly from a web browser without additional software. It addresses composers as well as teachers and their students." - Flat.ioMy favorite piece of technology to integrate into a choral rehearsal. In this episode, I sat down with two of Flat's founders to talk about the histor...

The episode I didn't want to record but literally could not stop feeling the universe impressing upon my heart that I must. It's the ugly truth, inappropriate advances and relationships occur in all aspects of life. For me, it was a text message from a long admired and respected choir professor from my undergraduate university. My hope is that in sharing my story, other people know they are not alone if they have experienced anything even related to this. I encourage everyone to communicate w...

The world of learning is changing every day thanks to the internet, computers, phones, cloud storage, all the things. The Choir Baton Teaching Membership is but a small part of that.In 2014 I began dreaming of a place I could learn how to teach choir from an online source. I found various videos, had great books, awesome people around me to ask - but still wanted more, needed more. The Choir Baton Teaching Membership is the evolution of this dream. It is a resource library of video...

Choir Baton host Beth Philemon sits down with Dr. Doug Borwick to discuss the ultimate relationship building with communities. For more information go to Doug's website, www.artsengaged.com or purchase his books, Building Communities, Not Audiences: The Future of the Arts in the U.S., and Engage Now! A Guide to Making the Arts Indispensable. About Dr. Doug Borwick:Doug Borwick is a leading advocate for community engagement in the arts. He is author of Engaging Matters, a blog for Ar...

Choir Baton Podcast host and founder, Beth Philemon, shares stories of things gone wrong this time of year for her as a choir conductor in church, school, and community settings. Listen to know you're not alone, listen to laugh along, listen to remember that:1. you will get it done and if you don't, it will be okay2. someone will upset you or disappoint you, it will be okay3. something will go wrong, and it will be okay4. instrumentalists might not show up or if they do they might not be able...

Tracy Friedlander is a leading classical music podcaster engaging in stories that are “redefining a classical music career.” Tracy would not consider herself a “choir person” though she sang in high school choir. Tracy is a classically trained French horn player who decided several years ago that her dream of playing professionally in a symphony might not actually be her dream anymore. What does this have to do with choir? Everything. I am empowered by Tracy’s story because she represent...

If you follow online choir content, chances are you've heard the name Adam Paltrowitz and/ or Choral Clarity. Adam sat down with me to elaborate further on the mantra of Choir Baton: #morepeoplesinging and how it fits directly into his work as at Choral Clarity.If you've ever read Adam's posts or wonder why more people aren't singing after their school choir experiences, this episode will give you a greater perspective on why and how we can change that. Adam Paltrowitz is a master educat...

Matt Myers, a native of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is a third-year DMA student in choral conducting at Louisiana State University. He earned his master’s degree in choral conducting from Northern Arizona University and his bachelor’s degree in vocal performance and music education from Luther College. After completing his degree at Luther, he taught grades 6-12 choir at The American International School of Muscat in Oman. For the following five years, he worked as choral director at Boylan Ca...

sounds like a weird podcast title doesn't it?But this is something that has been on my heart to share with this community because it's been a pervading theme in my life.If you've ever felt like....you're not a good enough singeryour choir isn't / can't be "successful"you don't have enough money to run your program like you wantyou don't have enough school supportyou have less "likes" than another choir teacheryou don't have enough community supportyou aren't good enoughor any sort of these fe...

In early 2019 at the American Choral Director's Association the Oakwood Aeolians "broke" ACDA with their memorable performance. Four year Aeolian member, Clee Davis, shares what it was like to be a part of this ensemble that taught him how to win through choral music. The Aeolians are actual winners (yes, there are world wide choir competitions you can win and the Aeolians are former World Choir Champions) but what you will learn through this interview is how Dr. Ferdinand, Aeolians conductor...

This week I’m joined by Chris Munce, podcast host of @choralosophy. This episode highlights our “why” of podcasting in the realm of choral music and so much more. You’ll learn about Chris’s teaching journey to his current school and more on why I’m passionate about showing up in both choir and business. Chris tricks me on the old economics pizza analogy and I learn that his dad has a great beach house in Florida that one day we might be lucky enough to be invited to. I think you’ll find that ...

High School choir teacher, former cheerleader, mother of 2, CROSSFITTER, and so much more... Stephanie Madsen shares lessons she's learned as a cooperating teacher for student teachers such as Lamar Davis but she also imparts even more with listeners on this week's episode of the ChoirBaton podcast. Stephanie's journey led her from teaching high school in North Carolina to starting a middle school choral program in Cobb County, Georgia. Five years later with an 18th month old and pregnan...

What happens when you're a student teaching mentor/ cooperating teacher and you yourself never student taught? This is high school choral director Peter Haley's situation at East Gaston High School where he uses his experience to shape the student teaching time of his students in a way he never had because his journey to public music education came after time as a full time church music minister.Peter served as Nyi Nyi's student teaching advisor and shares how he came to teaching and ways he ...

You've followed along with Nyi Nyi and Lamar as they entered student teaching, now hear about their experience.Both guys share valuable insights into their time in middle and high school classroooms, including ways in which they grew musically and as humans.Choir Baton Host: Beth Philemon @bethphilemon | www.bethphilemon.comVisit Choir Baton Online: @choirbaton | www.choirbaton.comChoir Baton Theme Song by Scott Holmes Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie HemedingerMusic by: Scott Holmes...

If you follow ChoirBaton founder, Beth Philemon, on social media you know she has recently announced she's leaving her full time high school choral music teaching position to pursue a full time MBA (Master of Business Administration) degree this fall. What does this mean for ChoirBaton and what led Beth to this path? Find out the scoop by listening to this week's episode of the ChoirBaton podcast.Choir Baton Host: Beth Philemon @bethphilemon | www.bethphilemon.comVisit Choir Baton Online...

Natalia Romero and I connected two years ago on a Facebook post I made asking if anyone was interested in being a part of a social media project that would take place on Instagram. She was the first, and only, person to respond. We began following each other on IG and several months later when I launched ChoirBaton on IG, she was one of the first baton holders! When I envisioned ChoirBaton and the relationships and learning that could take place from its collaborative nature, I envisioned a l...

Drew Fifield (he/him) shares his journey to singing with the New York City Gay Men's Chorus as the choir looks to remember and honor the events of Stonewall. The choir will premiere their Quiet No More co-commission with the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles at Carnegie Hall on September 24 in conjunction with other LGBTQ+ choruses from around the United States. When Drew is not promoting the work of the NYCGMC he leads the Learning and Development team at Industrious, a prominent co-working st...

Anne Mileski is a leading elementary music educator, podcaster, lover of all things purposeful, sequential, and joyful. Her story will make you consider what your elementary music experience was like as a child and how teaching or learning in the elementary music classroom can be so different today. Anne didn't intend to be a music educator, she was pursuing her master's in trumpet performance. But during this experience her passion for teaching young musicians was unlocked and the rest "is h...

Summer of 2018 I stumbled upon @whathappensinchoir on Instagram through a hashtag search of #choirdirectors. Unbeknownst to me, Kate (@whathappensinchoir) had just started this account and was not only chronicalling her choir teaching experiences but was also preparing her middle school choir for their fall performance at the Virgina State Music Educator's Conference. We bonded through this shared experience of preparing students to perform for an audience of the most discerning concert goers...

This week’s episode is an interview with Matt Bishop, music teacher at the Dunecrest American School in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. A year ago Matt was an early twenties suburban middle school choir teacher, having only ever lived in North Carolina and did not even own a passport. What led him to pursue such a drastic change and why? What hurdles did he jump personally and professionally to learn, apply, and accept this position? What is teaching at an international school like, especi...

Dr. Shreyas Patel’s story of life and music is unlike any you’ve heard before. How do you balance a love for family with a love for making music? How you honor the sacrifices your parents have made for you while discovering who you are and who you want to be? Shreyas’ journey winds through the hallowed halls of England’s cathedrals, the path of immigration, a passion for music making instilled in a California high school classroom, and the expectation to go into the medical field. This interv...

This two part interview features amazing insight into the life and work of musician and yoga teacher, Mark Moliterno. In this episode Mark continues elaborating on this sense of self and sound. Why is singing not a acalming activity for so many people? We often focus on teaching inhalation, but are we intentional about the how and why of teaching exhalation? The voice is an energetic instrument and Mark relates the voice to the different chakras, or energetic wheels that spin to build and dis...

This two part interview features amazing insight into the life and work of musician and yoga teacher, Mark Moliterno. In this episode Mark provides his personal journey to music and to yoga. Mark outlines tenets of yoga and how its correlation to our singing. Mark Moliterno (MM, E-RYT500, C-IAYT, YACEP, POLY®, FOUNDER OF YOGAVOICE®) is an award-winning professional singer, voice teacher, yoga teacher, IAYT-certified Yoga Therapist, workshop leader, and author. He is a thought-leader in t...

Choir on social media is awesome. But, we would be ignorant to ignore how unhealthy consumption of choirs on Facebook and Instagram can affect us. This episode discusses mindsets and thought processes that could derail you from participating in the online collaboration social media offers. Host, Beth Philemon, shares personal insights, moments of doubt and insecurity about showing up online, encouraging you to change your internal narrative to engage and observe with gratitude and ...

The American Choral Director's Association National Conference in Kansas City provides amazing professional development for choral directors across the world. But beyond the amazing interest sessions and concerts are the conversations with share with the people we meet during the week. Listen in on some impromptu conversations I had and get a taste of what ACDA National Convention 2019 was like! 1. Conversation at Manhattan Concert Productions booth in the exhibit hall - what started as ...

Ashton Humphrey is a 4th year teacher at Croatan High School on the bank of the North Carolina ocean. (But seriously, his office overlooks the intracoastal waterway.) I met Ashton at a Carol Krueger conference two summers ago where we sat next to each other. Over the course of that 3 day experience we connected through social media and various statewide choral events. I interviewed Ashton because as a new teacher, he has really adopted Carol's literacy strategies into his program wi...

Dr. Carol Krueger is revolutioning how and why music teachers are approaching music literacy in today's rehearsal. In this episode you'll hear insight into her book Progressive Sightsinging, her journey back to school to obtain her master's and doctoral degree after 25 years in the classroom, and further insight and encouragement in teaching literate musicians in both choir and instrumental music.Part 2 of a 2 part series. An active choral conductor, clinician, and presenter Carol will be at ...

Dr. Carol Krueger is revolutionizing how and why music teachers are approaching music literacy in today's rehearsal. In this episode, you'll hear her journey to understanding the gaps we have in our music literacy and how we can begin to close them. With her humorous candor, Carol helps you understand why you struggle in certain areas of music literacy and empower you to take the next steps to grow as a musician in your deficits. Part 1 of a 2-part series. Carol will be presenting numero...

Lamar Davis and Nyi Nyi Myin, two senior Music Education majors at Wingate University just outside Charlotte, NC, are about to start their student teaching experience. In this episode, Beth asks why and how they came to choral music, why they chose Wingate, and what they are looking forward to in choral music student teaching. Choir Baton Host: @bethphilemon | www.bethphilemon.comChoir Baton: @choirbaton | www.choirbaton.comChoir Baton Theme Song by Scott Homes Choir Baton Podcast P...

The first Choir Baton episode gives a behind-the-scenes look at your host, Beth Philemon, and her history with choir, passion of the art form, and her idea(s) behind #choirbaton. As a passionate people person, Beth shares the top responses from people when they learn what she does and why she wants to change the conversation about singing in today’s society through the lens of choirs.Choir Baton Host: Beth Philemon @bethphilemon | www.bethphilemon.comVisit Choir Baton Online: @choirbaton | ww...