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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.
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A show where I try to make sense of the big topics that shape our world. Seeking truth where we can find it with a sense of humor. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/christopher-m-munce/support
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Kids learn at a young age how to show teachers that they are learning. Even if they aren’t… And with many kids, ESPECIALLY when they are not. The long awaited return of “Car Thoughts” Short episodes designed to get you thinking about your educational practice. In this episode, I would also submit this as food for thought for parents. I often hear m…
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Is there value to teaching the “science of singing” to young kids? I say yes. The goal is not to over-intellectualize the voice. It is to demystify it for young singers. Part of the Vocal Pedagogy Series Have you ever asked kids “what is a vowel made of?” Try it! See what answers they give you. There are ways to help young singers understand this c…
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“If they cannot pick up a piece of music at the end of the year (at whatever level) and do it themselves, I would question what we had been doing in my classroom.” One of our most popular guests in the show’s six year run is BACK. (Part of the Music Literacy Series) Carol Krueger returns with an update on the state of literacy levels for music stud…
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Choirs across the Western world are making huge strides as we push for more diverse repertoire as well as approaches to vocalization and instruction. Reagan Paras urges us to include the Philippines as a rich resource. In this conversation, Reagan Paras shares his unique perspective on Filipino choral music and its cultural significance. He discuss…
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Zoie Lee is making a name for herself as a Musical Theater performer, and triple-threat. While on break from the National Tour of Chicago, she stopped back in to her old choir room to talk to me about the role music education had in shaping her career. This conversation explores the journey of a performer from their early experiences in dance to th…
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Recently named one of the 100 most influential Africans, Ken Wakia joins me to share his story as a Kenyan Choral musician and founder of the successful Nairobi Chamber Chorus. In this episode I am honored to speak with Ken Wakia, a prominent choir director from Kenya. Ken shares his inspiring journey from a small village by Lake Victoria where he …
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A blind teacher’s take on Is “music” reading or “sight” reading important enough to provide resources to both blind and sighted students alike? One visually impaired music educator says yes! Re Robinson, a blind choir director from Florida, shares her unique journey in music education. She discusses her experiences as a choir student and now as a t…
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Next up on the Vocal Pedagogy series!:Justin Peterson is a voice teacher with some very interesting and thought provoking things to say about how we teach voice, and some very useful ideas about instruction! Justin Petersen shares his journey as a singer and voice teacher, discussing the importance of rejecting labels in music, the misconceptions s…
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A collaboration episode! Chops podcast has been making a splash in the Band world, so we decided to team up to create this “comparing of notes” on teaching choir vs. band. Available on both podcasts! In this engaging conversation between Chris of the Choralosophy Podcast and Jack Hinkle of Chops Podcast, the two veteran educators explore their resp…
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Grooming isn’t always obvious. It’s a gradual process that can occur in many forms. Educators have a special responsibility to keep our spaces safe. Power imbalances in schools can create dangerous situations, and veteran music teacher and voice coach Megan Farison knows this firsthand. In this episode, she shares her deeply personal journey throug…
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Recently selected President-Elect of the American Choral Directors Dr. Jessica Nápoles joins me to talk imposter syndrome, leadership and her ACDA passion. Balancing a passion for music with the demands of higher education isn’t easy, but Jessica has found a way to do just that. In this episode, we explore her unique career path that defies the not…
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Recently, Apollo5 was touring through the US, and stopped not too far from me. So I grabbed my road kit and drove to St. Louis to speak with them, observe some rehearsal and hear their concert. Small ensemble, or consort singing, is in many ways a completely different art form than “traditional choral singing.” And it isn’t quite solo singing eithe…
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I grew up as a conductor in a world where conductors were measured by their ears. We were kind of obsessed with it. And maybe for good reason. In addition to perception, what other tools do great conductors have? Conductors today are judged by many criteria in many different contexts. But in the rehearsal room, there are some non-negotiable skills …
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A common theme on this show is “teaching the WHOLE language of music.” So, I was pleased to link up with Cindy to hear how important dictation is in her pedagogy. A crucial and often missing element of common teaching practice. What does it take to build a thriving choir program—and a lifelong passion for music? Yes, but also solid pedagogy and TIM…
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I often see “technique” and “expression” discussed as opposite sides of the coin. This couldn’t be further from the truth. The technique UNLOCKS the expressive capacity. Don’s past appearances on tuning systems and pitch matching have been very popular with colleagues. Links below. Many singers and conductors focus on interpretation and expression,…
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The Symphony and its Chorus provides us with a rich history, Canon, and tradition. It also provides us a powerful medium for living composers, and aspiring musicians. I’m excited to share this conversation featuring the extraordinary Anthony Blake Clark—of the Dallas Symphony Chorus and Baltimore Choral Arts, who wants us to consider the Symphony C…
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Music has long been celebrated as a universal language, capable of moving hearts, bridging divides, and bringing people together. But what exactly is ‘The Power of Music’? Is it in the melody, the rhythm, or something deeper? In this episode of Choralosophy, we’re diving into a fascinating concept with Dr. Ryan Luhrs: that the true power of music m…
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The US is a cultural exporter, and often times, we don’t do a great job of importing. I find it fascinating and valuable, as an American, to seek out stories from around the world. As a American choir director, it is easy to assume that the way choral music functions in our culture is “normal.” So, let’s broaden our horizons by talking with Javiera…
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There is a paradox between performance and pedagogy. Are we teaching our ensembles to perform? Or are we teaching them skills that LEAD them to become performers? Is it time for a paradigm shift? This week, I am thrilled to bring you a fascinating conversation with Dr. Andrew Schmidt, an accomplished music educator and researcher. Andrew’s passion …
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Enneagram study has been used to heal families, relationships, work places and more. It is also used by individuals seeking to simply have a better relationship with themselves. In this episode, we explore the possible uses of this system for understanding human motivation in ensembles, classrooms and even in music making. In this episode, I’m thri…
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2024 comes to a close this week! What a ride its been. This episode features highlights of YOUR favorite episodes of the year, as well as a preview of a new Choralosophy Community blog advocating for a possibly new way of viewing “Merit” and “Rigor” in music education. The top episode of the year was my coverage, with the brave help of Michal Dawso…
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Fads like “learning styles,” “restorative justice,” “inquiry based learning” and more, versus Cognitive Load Theory, Explicit Instruction etc. Marcie Samayoa’s experience as an ESL/immigrant student has shaped her view on teaching at risk American kids. in this episode, I’m joined by Marcie Samayoa—a dedicated chemistry teacher and passionate advoc…
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The “Classical” or Concert Music tradition has traditionally relied on a nobility or an institution for funding. This is a challenge in our modern world that has seen such a massive boom of popular and commercial genres, that reject this model. Where does that leave us today? I sit down with Samuel Andreyev—a brilliant composer, educator, YouTube a…
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One of the core functions of a choir director or vocal music educator is to teach people to love and understand their voice. This episode is the latest addition to the Choralosophy Vocal Pedagogy Suite. Voice teacher David Jones joins me this week to discuss some tips, approaches and even some exercises and language to try in your rehearsals with s…
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Nothing we do as choral singers, directors teachers, music appreciators and consumers would be possible without the “garden” that grows our young musicians in elementary school. Music as a language grows best in the early years. Let’s water the garden. This week, Elementary general music and choir director, Chy Billings from Olathe, KS joins me in …
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We have had an influx of new listeners, subscribers and Curious George’s to the show over the last week. Welcome! This program began in February of 2019, and contains some mission and values episodes from early on, but boy howdy has it grown and changed since then. In this short episode, I will take listeners through a “what to expect and why” disc…
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I plan to keep it is short as possible. Presenting what I see as three categories of this controversy ranging from legit criticisms I need to seriously consider, to misunderstandings to things that just aren’t true. This weekend an argument or debate of sorts erupted on a post of mine on my personal FB page. “Kids from families of all political phi…
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The quest to advocate for music education as integral to all stages of human life, continues on Choralosophy. I am excited to welcome Dr. Peju Simoyan, an addiction medicine physician with a fascinating musical journey. Growing up in a Nigerian diplomatic family, Dr. Simoyan has always held a passion for music, even with limited formal training, an…
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“Filling in the Gaps,” simply refers to a premise I believe we should consider: 1. No Theory gets it all right. 2. All good theories get SOMETHING right. 3. We should be focused on filling in the gaps in Music Education Are you an Gordon MLT devotée? A Kodály-guy? A Tonic Solfa Curwenator? How about a Takadimician? I think all of those frameworks a…
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The music of South Africa is not unlike its people. It is built on layers. Layers of complexity, all rich with meaning, and difficult to understand from the outside. Michael Barrett loves his country and its music. His work proves it. I have long been a fan of Michael Barrett, as well as an admirer of the way the South African people have vigorousl…
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One of my go to TED animations to play for students at the beginning of every year is the one that explains compellingly, the story of music as the best FULL BRAIN workout. But, Choral/Vocal education is not included in that research! The researcher behind that video, is this week’s guest. Don’t miss it. Dr. Anita Collins joins me this week from Ca…
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It is my strong belief that students have a RIGHT to receive individual instruction, feedback and assessment based on individual work in every class they take in school. Even music. This past weekend I had the chance to visit with the amazing students of Magnolia High School as well as the local chapter of the Kodály Educators of Texas. In this epi…
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“Does the world say that you don’t look the right way? Does the world say a that you’re just not enough.” Text written by this week’s guest Kyle Pederson. One of the most powerful tools educators have is the connection of our content to the personal experiences of students. Composer Kyle Pederson is a big advocate for “co-creation” in Music classro…
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This episode pulls wisdom from Betsy Cooke Weber, on building a culture of leadership, ownership and professionalism in our classrooms and ensembles. This loaded “how to” session comes from her appearance back in episode 45 with updated thoughts from my on how these ideas are working in my classroom. “If I were to return to K-12, I would not touch …
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I have published many peeks into my classroom before on the show. I have never shown you our opening class minutes before. This is where the real work happens. The “warm-up.” Or, as I would rather call it, “voice building time.” In this episode, you will have a front row seat (video version recommended on YouTube and Clips on TikTok!) to the openin…
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When I work with emerging composers trying to get noticed, I ask them “What are you trying to be noticed FOR?”- Libby Larsen. Could the social media environment incentivize non-musical answers to this question? In this episode, I have the pleasure of speaking with the remarkable composer Libby Larsen about her journey into the world of music. We di…
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For those who sing Black Sacred music, “it is The Academy of the Black Church that taught us.”-Emorja Roberson. To see if you are a convincing performer of this art form, go to a Black Church and sing it. See how they receive you. In this episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Dr. Emorja Roberson, the first African American DMA in Choral …
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It’s Labor Day weekend. We are almost all back to school. This is the time that makes or breaks your whole school year. This summer I got a booth at the Missouri Choral Directors conference and pulled colleagues in to share their thoughts. Why are adolescent boys so turned off by choir? How important is music reading for All State choir? Should maj…
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The “Choral Music Canon” is one of the many concepts that I believe can only be grappled with if we are able to hold two conflicting truths in mind. It is crucial for us to hold great art in high esteem, while recognizing that we won’t all agree on what makes the list. Renowned American choral director Craig Hella Johnson joins me this week to give…
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Episode 211: Smashing Cultural Barriers in Classical Music with Babatunde Akinboboye-Audio Only
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Having some very weird tech issues today. Shownotes from normal post Known online as Babatunde “Hip Hopera,” this week’s guest may look like he is just out there having fun on TikTok. But, a closer look shows an artist doing innovative, and incredibly important work bridging the gaps between musical worlds. From West Coast hip-hop fan to opera sing…
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Known online as Babatunde “Hip Hopera,” this week’s guest may look like he is just out there having fun on TikTok. But, a closer look shows an artist doing innovative, and incredibly important work bridging the gaps between musical worlds. From West Coast hip-hop fan to opera singer, this week’s guest Babtunde Akinboboye‘s journey is a fusion of ge…
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Should vocal jazz join other forms of ensemble singing in the “mainstream” of music education? Or does best fit within a niche? In our second episode of the brand new “GIA/Walton” series, I am excited to bring you another fascinating and useful conversation. This time, with composer and vocal jazz advocate, David von Kampen. In this discussion, we …
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I find that too often, as practicing teachers we either ignore new research all together, or we read the boiler plate summary, take it as gospel and move on without examining it critically. Ellie Johnson tries to help us thread the needle. Ellie is a PhD Music Education candidate and researcher, and the host of The Merfy Pod. She loves to dive in t…
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Often in choral instruction, we utilize the word “family” to describe the cohesiveness of our ensembles. But what about the students who don’t view choir as their family? Can we be ok with the idea that singers come to us for many different reasons? But what happens when students DON’T want to be in the family? What if you have students that truly …
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I frequently engage in and read discussions with young music educators about the ways in which the music education profession is or is not “adapting with the times.” As always, the answer to that is yes. And no… Mak Barton is a second year teacher in Maryland who I found on her wildly entertaining TikTok account that is fast approaching 100k follow…
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As teachers, we often try to build culture and foster a sense of belonging by seeking out the “right checklist” of games, ice breakers, fun warm-ups, and even classroom wall art. However, these are just the frosting, not the cake. In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Kari Adams from the University of Missouri to discuss the essential ingredients for…
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“If you don’t learn what listening is, your choirs will never sing in tune.” James Jordan is one of the most prolific choral conductors in the modern era. Not just in terms of performance and recordings, but also in scholarship and pedagogy. Introducing, the NEW GIA/Walton Series on Choralosophy! I recently had the privilege of attending two sessio…
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Recently, we offered a free virtual meetup to practice “Choir Nerdery.” If you missed it, I have carefully curated some of the most useful and interesting moments for this episode. Discussion topics were derived from survey responses from 120 educators. The full 2 hour and 15 minute work session is available unedited over at Patreon or Substack for…
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“It is not my job to answer the questions. It’s my job to ask the questions.” Programming for our choirs carries with it a wide range of challenges, from the skill levels of our groups, and their needs to the considerations of speaking to an audience. There are many ways to wrestle with this balance. Renowned conductor of the Crossing Donald Nally …
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“I cannot believe I’ve been muzzled by my own people.” All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena, CA cancelled a concert that was set for June 2nd, 2024 citing the “pain and anguish felt by 18 Black members of the church.” The response was that Michal and the choir, and the music they were set to perform from the African American cultural and musical…
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