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.
Episode 162: The Problem with “Talent” with Joshua Mazur
Aug 16, 2023
Show notes
This episode was a product of a submission on the main page here at Choralosophy.com. The prompt really grabbed me. Guest Joshua Mazur suggested that we need to have a grown up discussion about the way we in Music Education think about and use the word “talent.” I agree.
From Joshua:
“Our society approaches talent and ability in music in a completely unproductive way. I have seen people with very beautiful singing voices forced to sing in choirs despite the fact that they don’t want to, and people with more average singing voices discouraged from doing so despite their strong desire to sing.”
Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions.
Most ordinary people think they’re unworthy of taking part in important music making (read: community and church choruses) because they don’t sound like the people they hear on their recordings. They don’t recognize the effect a musically literate choir of 30 people, despite the “average” nature of their voices, can have on their communities. We can take 12 people with voices no one would pay to hear as soloists and make them into a very good choir. This could be thought of as one of the great “magics” of ensemble music making. The whole CAN be greater than the sum of its parts. And even better, the individual parts can also be made greater in the process. It’s a win-win!
In this episode we discuss the false idea that musical ability is completely innate and fixed, how to combat this idea in our ensembles, as well as concepts from Daniel Coyle’s “The Talent Code,” which is a must read text for any teacher or coach.
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Joshua L. Mazur is a multi-disciplinary musician from Lakeland, Florida. An award winning singer, he has most recently undertaken the tenor roles of Don Jose in Carmen (Valdosta State University Guest Artist) and the eponymous Phantom of the Opera (Ocala Symphony Orchestra) and was seen previously in such baritone roles as Silvio in Pagliacci (Imperial Symphony Orchestra) and the title role of Gianni Schicchi (Florida Southern College Opera Theater).Mr. Mazur has served Abiding Savior Lutheran Church as Director of Music Ministry & Organist since 2017.
RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!
In addition to his work in ministry, he is the Choirmaster of the Ocala Symphony Orchestra Chorus, Assistant Conductor to Maestro Matthew Wardell and the Ocala Symphony Orchestra, and Adjunct Professor of Studio Voice and Music Theory/Aural Skills at the College of Central Florida, Ocala.Joshua is a prolific composer and arranger, with a catalogue of over 350 works for various solo, ensemble, choral and orchestral ensembles. His works have been performed all over the world at national, and international choral festivals and in such places as Carnegie Hall and in services at the Vatican.
He has scored soundtrack music for the films “After Midnight” (2016) and “I Just Called To Say I Love You” (2018). Mr. Mazur holds a Bachelors degree in Voice Performance from Florida Southern College and a Masters degree in Voice Performance and Conducting from the University of Florida. He completed several semesters of doctoral work in Music Composition and received training in Theology through Concordia University CUEnet.
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Episode 161: Where Has All the Polyphony Gone? with David Simmons Wood
Aug 09, 2023
Show notes
Recently, David Simmons Wood made a splash by writing an article for Early Music America called “Toward a Rebirth of Renaissance Choral Repertoire.” In the article, David drew attention to what I see as a troubling gap in our collective repertoire and programming trends. Namely, the near disappearance of Polyphony from our performances, classrooms and in the textures of new music explored by living composers. Polyphonic writing provides so many building blocks for the theoretical mind of the musician, but also crucial steps in the development of young singers. So, what is driving this atrophy of access to a foundational piece of our art form? It is a complicated problem! So tune in as David and Chris discuss issues related to classroom challenges, the intimidating expert, the lack of exposure, and even the unintended casualty of our attempts to focus on diversifying repertoire and the push to include more living composers. We also go deep into SOLUTIONS. Ways to get started, resources and benefits of polyphony in school and community ensembles.
David Simmons Wood (he/him) is the director of K-State’s Early Music Ensembles and is the founder and director of the annual K-State Recorder Workshop. David is also engaged as a faculty member in the Theory, History, and Composition Division.His performing career has included appearances with Dallas Bach Society, The Orchestra of New Spain (Dallas), The New York Baroque Dance Company, The New York State Baroque, Texas Choral Artists, and Fenix de los Ingenios, as well as performances at the Boston, Indianapolis, and Bloomington Early Music Festivals. He was also a founding member of Ishallyn, Ensemble for Early Celtic Music.He holds degrees from Kansas State University (B.M. Voice) and the University of North Texas (M.M. Choral Conducting and Voice), and he studied early music ensemble direction at the Historical Performance Institute at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music.
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His primary emphases have been the sacred vocal music of the 12th to 18th centuries, liturgical reconstruction, and historical pronunciation.David serves as the Programs Director for the Early Music America, the North American service organization for early music and historical performance practice, where he oversees scholarshiips, grants, the annual Young Performers Festival & Emering Artists Showcase, a series of webinars and other video resources, and coordinates social media and email marketing activities.David has also be involved in church music leadership for more than two decades, holdinng the position of Minister of Music at Central Christian Church (DOC), Dallas, TX; and First United Church, Bloomington, IN.
He has also served on the board of the United Church of Christ Musicians Association.David worked in public radio at WFIU, Bloomington, IN. first as an Announcer/Producer (2005-2007), then as Music Director and Program Content Coordinator (2008-2014), and served on the board of the Association of Music Personnel in Public Radio.
Episode 160: Practical Vocal Acoustics with Kenneth Bozeman
Aug 02, 2023
Show notes
I am excited to welcome Kenneth Bozeman to the podcast this week to blow your minds! Ken is a voice teacher, author and prominent lecturer presenting all over the world to help teachers of singing understand the importance of the marriage between voice science and the emotive capabilities of the human voice. I have frequently participated in conversations where these two ideas are erroneously set apart from each other. For example, “what’s more important? Vocal technique OR emotional expression or performance?” To me, this has always been a strange question. It is through our understanding of how the voice works, and our ability to pass that along to our students that allows them to have access to the full range of emotional tools that their voice has to offer. In this conversation, Professor Bozeman lays out many useful scientific concepts, exercises and techniques to help us marry the soul to the body so to speak.
Kenneth Bozeman, author of Practical Vocal Acoustics and Kinesthetic Voice Pedagogy, served as Professor of Music at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin for 42 years. He was awarded the Van Lawrence Fellowship by the Voice Foundation in 1994 and is on the editorial boards of the NATS Journal of Singing and the Voice Foundation’s Journal of Voice. He was twice a master teacher for the NATS Intern Program and was inducted into the American Academy of Teachers of Singing in 2019. He was honored to be a keynote speaker for the British Voice Association (2021) and the International Congress of Voice Teachers (2022). His work explores the internal acoustic landscape all voices inhabit, describes the inherent relationships of its components, and seeks ways to motivate efficient singing while respecting both physiologic and acoustic realities as well as effective historic pedagogy. He continues to work by mentoring teachers and young professional singers in acoustic pedagogy and presenting lectures and demonstrations for university voice departments and professional voice organizations.
RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!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.comReceive 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.
Episode 159: The Entrepreneurial Future of Choral Music with Ryan Main
Jul 26, 2023
Show notes
Could it be that the new era of “the choral entrepreneur” is what we need to save Choral Music? After the pandemic, we have seen a resurgence of enthusiasm for Choral Music amongst the already initiated. But, program enrollments are down, concert attendance is down, positions have been cut, and conference attendance has not recovered. It could be that we have entered a new era. An era where a Choral resurgence will depend upon people like Ryan Main and shows like this one. Colleagues with the willingness to leave the safety of institutional employment behind and make the case in the community for the value of Choral music. In this episode, Chris and Ryan discuss the various ways in which “entrepreneurship” can manifest itself in Fine Arts spaces. We discuss lessons learned in creating both non-profit and for profit Choral Music centered ventures. It’s time to make the case that “Choral Entrepreneur” doesn’t have to be a dirty word.
An award winning composer, his compositions are performed internationally and frequently featured at national and regional American Choral Directors Association Conferences, festivals, Carnegie Hall, and other events around the world.
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!
Ryan holds a Master of Music in Music Composition and a Master of Music in Music Education from the Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins University. He holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Composition from the University of Missouri – Kansas City’s Conservatory of Music and Dance.
Ryan is passionate about quality music education for all. He founded and serves as artistic and executive director of the Youth Chorus of Kansas City, a non-profit organization serving youth of all socio-economic and cultural backgrounds throughout the Kansas City metro area.
Ryan is a member of the American Choral Directors Association, the Missouri Choral Directors Association, the National Association for Music Education and the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. He currently serves on the National Association for Music Education’s Council on Music Composition.
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.comReceive 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.
Episode 158: Is All Art is Political? With Melissa Dunphy
Jul 19, 2023
Show notes
Composer Melissa Dunphy believes that artistic expression is inherently connected to the socio-political landscape of the world. Artists often create work that reflects their personal beliefs, experiences, and values. Even when an artist does not intend for their work to be explicitly political, it is influenced by the social and cultural contexts in which it is created.
Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions.
Art is a powerful medium that can evoke emotions, challenge norms, and inspire change. Artists have historically used their work to address pressing social issues and spark dialogue. Whether through visual arts, literature, music, or performance, artists can shed light on marginalized voices, challenge oppressive systems, or critique political ideologies. By engaging with these topics, artists inherently engage with politics.
In this conversation, I present some limitations to this axiom, revealing that I don’t necessarily agree that ALL art is unavoidably political, but that in general there is a lot of common ground on our positions on this topic. Where do YOU stand on the statement that “Everything we do as artists is inherently political?” Comment on the Choralosophers FB page or anywhere you see this post.
Raised in a Chinese-Australian family, Melissa Dunphy moved to the USA in 2003 and specializes in composing vocal, political, and theatrical music. She first came to national attention when her large-scale work the Gonzales Cantata was featured in The Wall Street Journal and on The Rachel Maddow Show. Dunphy is the recipient of an Opera America Discovery Grant for Alice Tierney, a new opera commission by Oberlin Conservatory. Recent commissions include works for the BBC Singers, VOCES8, and Cantus. Dunphy is also a Barrymore Award-nominated theater composer and Director of Music Composition for the O’Neill National Puppetry Conference. Dunphy has a Ph.D. in composition from the University of Pennsylvania and a B.M. from West Chester University and teaches at Rutgers University. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband, Matt; the Dunphys are co-hosts of the popular podcast The Boghouse about their adventures in Philadelphia colonial archaeology.
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!
Episode 157: Civic Renewal Through Ensemble with Chris and Beth Munce
Jul 13, 2023
Show notes
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.
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.
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Episode 156: Choralosophers Livestream on Burnout, Literacy Instruction and the Moral Injury of Educators
Jul 05, 2023
Show notes
This week’s episode is a fast paced conversation between myself and members of the “Choralosophers” Facebook page. Choralosophers is one of the most drama free choir director’s groups on the internet, and the desire of the members there to have interesting, and thoughtful conversations about our profession and art form is refreshing and such a great way for me to connect with the Choralosophy audience. I fielded dozens of questions and comments, but the bulk of them were focused on teaching literacy, starting out the school year well, and whether or not some of the “teacher burnout” phenomenon is being MISDIAGNOSED and confused with a concept called “moral injury.” So, tune in and stick around as we chew on some really important topics. And, as always, we welcome YOUR comments and questions in the Choralosophers FB page.
The term “moral injury” was first used to describe soldiers’ responses to their actions in war. It represents “perpetrating, failing to prevent, bearing witness to, or learning about acts that transgress deeply held moral beliefs and expectations.” Journalist Diane Silver describes it as “a deep soul wound that pierces a person’s identity, sense of morality, and relationship to society.”
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
Most physicians enter medicine following a calling rather than a career path. They go into the field with a desire to help people. Many approach it with almost religious zeal, enduring lost sleep, lost years of young adulthood, huge opportunity costs, family strain, financial instability, disregard for personal health, and a multitude of other challenges. Each hurdle offers a lesson in endurance in the service of one’s goal which, starting in the third year of medical school, is sharply focused on ensuring the best care for one’s patients. Failing to consistently meet patients’ needs has a profound impact on physician wellbeing — this is the crux of consequent moral injury.
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Episode 155: What I Wish I Knew As A Young Conductor with John C. Hughes
Jun 28, 2023
Show notes
In this week’s episode I welcome John Hughes to discuss the things we wish we had known when we were starting out as teachers and conductors. We discuss the cynicism that develops over the years in many of us, as well as the loss of “awe” when hearing choral music and how to get it back! In one part of the conversation we discuss the importance of separating achievement from self-worth as well as the problem with expecting ourselves and our singers to be perfect. We even get into the practical side, regarding rehearsal planning, and other self management strategies.
“I would offer my younger self—full of ambition, hungry for success and respect, and willing to work hard— these gentle words and encourage him to take a breath or two. The “no excuses” approach may be effective, but it may end up making you miserable inside.” From the Preface of “Letters to a Young Conductor” by John C. Hughes
Episode 154: Turning Title 1 Challenges into Success with Mark Bailey
Jun 21, 2023
Show notes
One of the “elephants in the room” within education discussions related to merit, opportunity and access is the wide range and disparity of challenges that teachers face in creating quality programs within their schools. Mark Bailey believes that music, but most importantly the PEOPLE IN music, changes the lives of those around them. And crucially, that music has the ability to change the soul and trajectory of someone’s life. Sadly, in many places where “other problems” seem so much more pressing, music and other Fine Arts programs fall by the wayside. Leading to quality educators not wanting to teach in the schools that need them the most. Mark has been teaching in Title 1 Schools in the US for much of is fifteen year career and brings a comprehensive plan for success and encourages quality educators to test their mettle in these types of schools. We also discuss the role of music competition as both a motivator and a barrier toward equity in education. Tune in for this challenging, but ultimately optimistic conversation.
Mr. Mark A. Bailey is proud to be the Director of Choirs at Palo Duro High School of Amarillo ISD in Amarillo, Texas and is a sought after clinician and published researcher. Mr. Bailey’s most recent scholarly work is published in TMEA’s 2018 edition of the Texas Music Educators Research Journal and focuses on poverty and music education. He has recently presented similar research at the annual ACDA International Symposium on Research in Choral Singing. His choirs have recorded and premiered original works for Carl Fischer Music. He is entering his 15th year as a professional music educator. Before coming to Palo Duro, Mr. Bailey was the Director of Choirs at Brazoswood High School. Prior to that, Mr. Bailey was Head of Fine Arts and Director of Choirs at The American School of Kuwait, and Director of Choirs at Atascocita Middle School, La Porte High School, and Houston Christian High School. Choir programs under Mr. Bailey’s direction receive consistent UIL Sweepstakes ratings and top festival honors.
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Mr. Bailey is a graduate of Baylor University (B.M.Ed.) and Texas Tech University (M.M.Ed.) and has studied educational research with Dr. Janice Killian and choral conducting with Dr. Anton Armstrong, Mr. Donald Neuen, Dr. Jeffery Ames, Dr. Donald Bailey, and Dr. Carolyn Cruse. Mr. Bailey has also performed under the direction of world-renowned conductors Paul Salamunovich, Eph Elly, Andre Thomas, and Anton Armstrong. Professional affiliations include Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA), Texas Choral Directors Association (TCDA), American Choral Directors Association (ACDA).
Mr. Bailey is an avid fan of Major League Baseball, and all books Sci-Fi and Mystery. Mr. Bailey’s wife, Hannah, is the Head Librarian at Caprock High School in Amarillo ISD. Mr. and Mrs. Bailey have two young children, Henry and Charlotte. In his spare time, Mr. Bailey enjoys arranging and composing choral works, writing research in education, and playing his favorite game, American Mahjong.
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Episode 153: Going Deeper on Gender Equity in Music Ed with Dr. Melissa Baughman
Jun 14, 2023
Show notes
In May of 2023, American Choral Directors dedicated an issue of their “Choral Journal” to Gender Inequity in Choral Music. The Research Report in this issue was penned by Dr. Melissa Baughman from the University of Oklahoma. In the article, she summarizes the current state of research on the topic of Women in Conducting careers. We learned that most of the existing research in this area exists in the instrumental world as well as learning that the choral world has a concentration of Women in the middle and high school levels with major disparities at the collegiate level. In this episode, Melissa and I dissect the issues that come up in the research related to gender stereotypes, gender bias, as well as the “messy problem” of trying to make improvements of access as well as in our understanding of why the disparities exist in the first place. (Hint: it’s never just ONE thing.) Tune in for this nuanced conversation where we go “beyond the memes” and dig in to the heart of an important issue.
Dr. Melissa Baughman is an Assistant Professor of Choral Music Education at the University of Oklahoma where she supervises student teachers and instructs undergraduate and graduate courses in choral methods, conducting, and vocal pedagogy. She is dedicated to promoting student wellness and leads a wellness initiative for the OU School of Music called Breathe OUt. She also serves as a co-facilitator for the Music Teacher Health and Wellness Area for Strategic Planning and Action for the Society of Music Teacher Education (SMTE). Prior to joining the faculty at OU, Dr. Baughman taught at Middle Tennessee State University, Central Methodist University (MO), and was the director of middle and high school vocal music in Montpelier, Ohio.
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As a researcher and advocate for wellness and equity in music, Melissa has presented at state, national, and international conferences sponsored by the International Society for Music Education (ISME), the European Association for Music in Schools (EAS), the National Association for Teachers of Singing (NATS), the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), the Society for Music Teacher Education (SMTE), the American Choral Director’s Association (ACDA), the Oklahoma Music Educator’s Association (OkMEA), and the Missouri Music Educator’s Association (MMEA). Her research has been published in the Journal of Music Teacher Education, International Journal of Music Education, Update: Applications of Research in Music Education, Journal of Singing, Choral Journal, and Missouri Journal of Research in Music Education. Her essay, “Nevertheless, She Sings: Empowering Women in Choral Music” is published in the book, Relevance in the Choral Art, edited by Tim Sharp.
Praised as an “illustrious soprano,” Melissa’s performance highlights include singing the soprano solos for Schubert’s Mass No. 2 in G Major, Haydn’s Kleine Orgelmesse, Vivaldi’s Gloria, Orff’s Carmina Burana, and Mozart’s Vesperae solennes de confessore. She is currently a guest artist with the American chamber choir, Vox Nova, who received The American Prize Ernst Bacon Memorial Award for the Performance of American Music–Community Ensemble Division in 2018. As a graduate student, she received first place in the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) and Missouri Music Teachers Association (MMTA) voice competitions and was named an Emerging Artist at MU. Dr. Baughman earned her PhD in music education with an emphasis on vocal pedagogy and choral conducting and a MM (voice performance) from the University of Missouri. She also earned a bachelor’s degree in music education (magna cum laude) and a master’s degree in education from Bowling Green State University.
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.
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