Choralosophy

Episode 91: Music is My Culture with Trevor Weston

02 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

You need to create music that reflects you. Start with who you are. I tend to tell students not to filter out aspects of their lives from their music....

Episode 90: Sound Before Sight with Carol Krueger

26 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Teaching students to be literate requires teachers who are trained for it. The episode you have been asking for for over a year is finally here! It is...

Episode 89: Writing Music People LIKE to Sing with Alan Bullard

19 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

For this Oxford Press conversation, I was able to speak to composer Alan Bullard about his life, career and approach to choral music. We talked about ...

Episode 88: Music is Inherently Raceless with Theron Jenkins

12 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When discussing how music and education intersects with race, gender and culture, I find that we are often pretty quick to apply reductionist labels t...

Teacher Burnout Town Hall- Live Stream

06 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Teacher morale has reached a crisis point. If you’ve ever felt the crisis or seen the crisis, this episode is for you. In this Livestream episod...

YOUR 10 Favorite Episodes of 2021

31 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

John Rutter, JD Frizell, Odell Ziegler, a Newsweek writer and an Epidemiologist walk into a bar… What do all of these people have in common? They, a...

YOUR 10 Favorite Episodes of 2021

31 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

John Rutter, JD Frizell, Odell Ziegler, a Newsweek writer and an Epidemiologist walk into a bar… What do all of these people have in common? They, a...

Performance is Virtuous, Unmasked Concerts and Teacher Burnout

18 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Perform! And be proud of it! Audiences NEED us this Holiday season. Our singers need to perform. Children need to see smiles. We inject so much joy in...

Episode 87: Demystifying Pitch Matching Struggles with Don Brinegar

08 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

One of the most COMMON questions to pop up, almost weekly, on choir director Facebook groups is “what do I do to help these (usually boys, not a...

Episode 86: All Students DESERVE Music Literacy with Odell Zeigler IV

01 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

An Unconventional Approach to the Urban Choral Classroom I believe one of the biggest goals is getting the students interested in singing choral music...

Short message! Happy Thanksgiving!

24 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

I could NOT do this show without you. Please take 6 minutes and let me thank the various people that make this show possible. Most of all YOU! Past Th...

Episode 85: “Exploring the Choirs of Europe” with James Whitbourn of St. Edmund Hall

18 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Next stop, Oxford University and St. Edmund Hall. Betsy and I are joined by composer, conductor, teacher James Whitbourn. Or as he describes himself, ...

Episode 84: Exploring the Choirs of Europe with Gary Graden of St. Jacobs Kammerkör

10 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The Second Installment Betsy Cook Weber’s Sabbatical Series! In this stop, Betsy visits Stockholm, Sweden to see Gary Graden and the St. Jacobs ...

Episode 83: “Exploring the Choirs of Europe” Rupert Gough of Royal Holloway

03 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The First Installment of the a new series following Betsy Cook Weber on her Sabbatical I am honored to present to you a new series of podcasts and vid...

Episode 82: Are Merit-BasedStandards Racist? With Angel Eduardo

28 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Author of the Newsweek article “Why Calling Merit Racist Erases People of Color.” One of the raging debates today in education centers aro...

Episode 81: Can Auditions be Inclusive? With Kirsten Oberoi

20 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

One of the foundational principles of this show is that we, as humans AND as colleagues don’t have to agree about everything. In fact I will tak...

Episode 80: Finding Connection Again with Nicola Dedmon

13 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

At some point, we have to come back to choir, (or quit) and the Covid risk will not be zero. So, it is now unavoidable that we will have to become com...

Ask Me Literally ANYTHING! Vol. 1

06 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Brought to you by members of my Patreon, who have collaborated with me to create this episode. This is the first time I have done a MULTI topic show. ...

Chris Reads from the Audience Mailbag and Joins the Cast of a NEW Podcast

30 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I read some recent reviews from the Apple Podcasts App, as well as some questions that came in through the website. Then, I have clip...

Car Thoughts: Elite without elitism, merit without meritocracy

24 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We can expect “Excellence” and be inclusive of all ability levels at the same time! That’s it. That’s the Blog. Just kidding. There’s more. ...

Episode 79: Is Grad School Right For Me?! André Thomas, Jennaya Robison and Giselle Wyers

16 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Panel discussion featuring three insightful Professors In this week’s special panel conversation, I am finally responding to what has been a fre...

Episode 78: The Only White Guy in the Room with Maria and Chris

08 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This special episode is something a bit different, in that it is a recap of a shared experience. All the way back on Episode 17, Marques Garrett chall...

Episode 77: Singing Without Fear with Dr. J.D. Frizzell

02 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Removing Barriers To Honest and Emotional Singing J.D. Frizzell is a standout educator and clinician. In this episode, we discuss Dr. Frizzell’s...

Episode 76: Finding a Niche with John Rutter

25 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Part of the Oxford Series on the Choralosophy Podcast The next installment of the Oxford Series is THE John Rutter. We have all grown up knowing the n...

Episode 75: The Delta Variables with Dr. Tracy Hoeg (part 2)

18 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

CDC published epidemiologist returns to the show to discuss the science of schools in the shifting sands of Delta. Since appearing on the show in Nove...

Episode 75: The Delta Variables with Dr. Tracy Hoeg (Part 1)

18 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

CDC published epidemiologist returns to the show to discuss the science of schools in the shifting sands of Delta. Since appearing on the show in Nove...

Mastering Literacy Instruction- Live at Iowa ACDA

11 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A Back to School Special From Choralosophy Podcast Listen in, or watch on YouTube for the complete presentation focusing on the practices, philosophie...

The Full Spectrum Lens- Recruiting and Program Building

10 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Downloadable files from two recent presentations Summer 2021 Presentations on Recruiting are linked below. To listen to the audio of this presentation...

Bite Sized Choral Tips: “Mindset” in Rehearsal with William Bennett

08 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A Back to School Special from the Choralosophy Podcast This time, we have William Bennett of Cane Bay High School in the hot seat to reflect on Carol ...

Bite Size Back to School Thoughts- “Cultural Custodians” with Zach Singer

03 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A Back to School Special from Choralosophy Podcast Zach Singer weighed in on the main page of Choralosophy.com with an idea to share with us. He calls...

Car Thoughts Live: What is Expertise in Choral Music?

30 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Expertise Cannot Be Earned as a student. We must test our academic ideas in the real world. I recently had a lot of time to think and reflect while dr...

Reimagining the Rubric For “Success” In Choral Careers

25 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Who is in the Choral Cool Kids Club? Our current rubric is based almost entirely on two factors. What degree do you have? And what level of choir do y...

The Essential PD Library: Starting Your School Year With Momentum

20 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

For the Midsummer installment of the show, I am encouraging you to take a professional development break from your summer fun, not to “do work,” b...

Episode 74: Is the Choral Ecosystem a Political Monolith? With Reginal Wright

07 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Over the past year, I began to notice a breath of fresh air in the online choral discourse in the form of Reginal Wright. Like many of you, I have use...

Episode 73: Love Supreme with Professor Teodros Kiros

30 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Executive producer and host of the television program African Ascent, W.E.B Du Bois fellow at Harvard, Professor of Philosophy at Berklee College of M...

Episode 72: Artists! It’s OK to be an Entrepreneur with Brian Witkowski

23 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Singers often have the mentality that if they go to the audition and don’t get the gig, they have failed. Choral directors often feel that if so...

Car Thoughts: The Conductor is ALWAYS Right?

18 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

And other silly traps we fall in to due to the nature of our job and its subsequent ego pitfalls. Tune in for this short reflection on the overbearing...

Episode 71: It’s All in the Story, with Cecilia McDowall

16 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Episode 71: It’s All in the Story with Cecilia McDowall Another Installment of the Oxford Series on the Choralosophy Podcast Episode 71 Cecilia...

Episode 71: It’s All in the Story with Cecilia McDowall

16 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Another Installment of the Oxford Series on the Choralosophy Podcast Cecilia McDowall has long been one of my favorite Choral composers. If I were to ...

Episode 70: Legitimate Love and Suffering in the Music Classroom with Dr. Ryan Board

09 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Dr. Ryan Board of Pepperdine University and I discuss the role we see for Choral Music education in filling the void of psychological...

Episode 69: Higher Standards-Lower Anxiety

02 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Want your singers to make less mistakes while sight reading? In this episode I outline some approaches, philosophies and even a rubric. But first, one...

Car Thoughts: Is Social Media Steering or Reflecting Choir Conversations?

27 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

I say it’s steering them. And I think that’s bad news. I believe that Social Media has a tremendous upside and potential for good. But onl...

A Rhetorical Analysis of Toxic Discourses with Dr. Erec Smith

27 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

For the first time on Choralosophy, I have written a blog to accompany the podcast episode! This post is not specific to music or musicians. But, as w...

Episode 67 Part 2: Growing Access in a Greenhouse with Vince Peterson

16 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

I am very unlikely to to give much credence to a person who is critical of the music education practices of colleagues, if they have nothing better to...

Episode 67 Part 1: How to Create your Musician’s Credo with Vince Peterson

11 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Then, be sure to tune in to Part 2 next week, as Vince discusses his brainstorm that is “Greenhouse Music” and why he thinks some of the p...

Episode 66: “I Shine!” Music as Self Care with Sarah Quartel

06 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Another Installment of the Oxford Series on the Choralosophy Podcast I had the joy and privilege of chatting with Oxford Choral Composer, Sarah Quarte...

Car Thoughts: How To Get Choirs to “Sing Louder”

29 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Spoiler- Don’t Ask Them To Sing Louder One of the most common questions I get from choir teachers is “How do I get my kids to sing louder?...

Episode 65: The Art of Community with Dr. Iona Italia

27 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Shared goals are more important than any other factors when building community. Not shared cultures, shared backgrounds, or shared talents. We just ne...

Episode 64: Student Perspectives on Choir in a Pandemic with Highland High Choir and Steve Hickman

21 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The Next Installment of the Student Perspectives Series In this episode, I “Zoomed” in to the choral classroom of Steve Hickman at Highlan...

Episode 64: Student Perspectives on Choir in a Pandemic with Highland High Choir and Steve Hickman

21 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The Next Installment of the Student Perspectives Series In this episode, I “Zoomed” in to the choral classroom of Steve Hickman at Highlan...

How NOT to Write Your Cancellation Essay

16 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

UNLOCKED This episode is an UNLOCKED Patreon only episode that I released in October at the Choralosophy Podcast private feed. I am releasing it here ...

Episode 63: “We Face People.” The Courage of the Choir with Bob Chilcott

08 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

An installment of the Oxford Series on the Choralosophy Podcast In choral music, in a different way than in other types of music making, WE ARE the in...

Thoughts on What ‘Elitism” Means in Choral Music

02 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Many people use the term “elitist” to describe aspects of choral music. The problem, as I see it is that this term means different things ...

Episode 62: Filling in the Gaps with Choir

25 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Featuring Laura Ritter and her Walters State Chamber Choir In this episode, I feature Laura Ritter and her Walters State Chamber Choir. I asked studen...

Episode 61: Give Me Some Humanity! With Will Todd

17 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Part of the Oxford Series on the Choralosophy Podcast Join us in this thought provoking and jovial conversation in which Will and I discuss a comparis...

Episode 60: Labels Won’t Stick to Isaac Cates

10 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Isaac Cates is an enigma wrapped in a riddle. A classically trained pianist, who is also a gospel music specialist, but also a singer-song writer&#823...

Motivational Message From Dr. Emily Williams Burch!

09 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Conference line up and itinerary being finalized very soon!

Episode 59: Married to the Choir with The Robison’s and the The Munces

03 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This special episode comes at Podcasting from a bit of a different angle. Enjoy a spot as a fly on the wall while two couples, both comprised of two c...

Why You May Have Misunderstood Singers Masks and the Aerosol Study

28 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Special Update! From myself, along with Robin and Jon at MyMusicFolders Colorado STATE Testing: We were given the opportunity in early July to send pr...

Episode 58: Telling the Story of American Choral Singing

25 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

With Dr. Jerry Blackstone, Matthew Workman and Brian Gaukel Have you heard about this yet?! What an exciting project this is. My three guests for this...

Episode 57: Working Between Worlds with Reena Esmail

16 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The Oxford Series on the Choralosophy Podcast! Reena Esmail is currently the composer in residence for the LA Master Chorale and the composer of TaReK...

Car Thoughts: I Think We Dis the Super Bowl Music Because We’re Jealous

09 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

I said what I said. The hot topic this week has been choir snobbery online in regards to pop music, or commercial music. I think this is an important ...

Car Thoughts: Why Conversations Online End Badly

05 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

I saw a few posts from colleagues recently that seemed to lament our inability to have good discussions among people who disagree online. The first pr...

Episode 56: Sound Engineering for Dummies with Josh Williams

27 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The lead sound engineer for Hallmark Corporation walks us through the basics of how to create a respectable digital representation of your ensemble. A...

Car Thoughts: The Performance is still critical.

23 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Just a random rant in my car. As performance opportunities dwindled over the last year, we have been quick to rationalize this as a good thing. Maybe ...

Episode 55: Music At the Intersection of Identities with Deborah Stephens

19 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this conversation, Soprano Deborah Stephens and I engage in an open and raw conversation about many aspects of identity and how it effects our conc...

Episode 54: Choir Teacher TikTok and Tips for Social Media Use for Educators with Katherine Rosenfeld

12 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Your TeacherGram can’t be your main focus. Make sure your kids remain at the center of everything you’re doing. Katherine Rosenfeld We are...

Episode 53: The Enneagram As a Tool for Harmonious Rehearsals with Kailin Kane

05 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

I was recently introduced to the Enneagram, so I cannot claim any expertise on it, so I called in a knowledgable friend! I invited Kailin Kane to come...

BONUS Virtual Unit on Resonance- VIDEO VERSION RECOMMENDED.

04 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

JUMP STRAIGHT TO VIDEO Resonance Unit With Voce Vista Define Resonance Define overtones Discuss (let kids chime in as much as possible) the examples o...

COVID and Social Justice: A Look Back at Audience Favorites of 2020

28 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Tune As I Reflect On The Year, and Look Forward to 2021! 2020 is coming to a close (thank God) and I wanted to thank the readers and listeners here on...

Episode 52: Better Choirs with Less Work After Hours with Guest Host John Sargent

26 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Don’t bring work home with you. Grading practices and making literacy the core of the curriculum can lead to better choirs, less stress for the ...

Choir Director Probs: Rose Colored Glasses on Virtual School

12 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

I am really struggling with teaching online. I know many of you are too. Since, I pick up a vibe that this is a touchy subject to discuss, I have no c...

Episode 51: Diversifying Repertoire is a Personal Journey with Dr. Janet Galván

28 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

When you do music from a culture that is not your own, it is like you are holding someone else’s dreams and past in your hands. Janet Galván In...

Composer Exposer: David Von Kampen

25 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

I am pleased to introduce you to the next EXPOSED composer from Graphite Publishing, David von Kampen. I am doing a piece of David’s this winter...

Episode 50: An Eagle’s Eye View with Dr. Eph Ehly

21 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

“To stimulate thinking you must ask questions. The instant you give YOUR philosophy, the thinking stops. What you want is for them to think for ...

Episode 49: Cutting Through the Hype of Covid in Schools with Dr. Tracy Høeg

14 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Is school really driving community spread? Or is school safer than the general community? Dr. Høeg joins me to discuss a topic that is directly perti...

Episode 48: The Choral Marathon with Dr. Emily Williams Burch In the Studio

11 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A choral musician with a “marathon mindset” would never listen to a choir and think, “well, we’re done. We’ve done all w...

Navigating Post-Election Conversations at Thanksgiving Dinner with Angel Eduardo

04 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

As many listeners know, quality conversation is my passion. Building our resistance to vitriol and judgment in online conversation is a huge part of t...

Episode 47: The Mental Gymnastics of COVID Rehearsals with Dr. Kyle Nielsen

28 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

As we march through what has been the most challenging semester possibly to EVER face the field of education, we find ourselves twisting our minds in ...

Who Does This Guy Think He Is?

25 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Reflections on posting opinions on the internet, as well as thoughts about “cancel culture” in choral music.

Episode 46: Teaching With Heart with Dr. Jason Max Ferdinand

22 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

When we see and hear the Aeolians perform we impressed by the technical precision. We are in awe of the dynamic range, the tone, the diction and the p...

Episode 45: It’s Time to Transfer the Deed to Our Singers with Dr. Betsy Cook Weber

15 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Weber, in my mind, is one of the legends of the choral profession due to the contribution of her body of work over many years and at all levels of...

Choir Director Problems: The Psychology of Growth vs. Achievement in Assessment

04 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

How can we set up our music courses to truly meet students where they are and encourage students that singing is skill to be built, and not a talent o...

Episode 44: Prioritizing Technique. Not Style with Andrew Crane and Jami Rhodes

23 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

At the end of the year the students should be better singers. Not better CHORAL singers. Better SINGERS. Dr. Jami Rhodes This special episode is a tag...

Episode 43: The Tools for Our Time With Troy Robertson of Chor Amor

10 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

At this point you have probably heard of Chor Amor. If you haven’t then get out from under that rock, and listen! 😉 They, under Troy Robertso...

A Conversation and Concert With Michael McGlynn and Anuna

08 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This Choralosophy Podcast special has been recut and reimagined by Michael himself to include the most salient portions of our free wheeling conversat...

Episode 42: Tips And Tricks for Vocal Health. Masked or Online. With Lori Sonnenberg

04 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this short episode, I welcomed Lori Sonnenberg, speech pathologist and singing voice specialist, BACK on the Choralosophy Podcast to help us with a...

Episode 41: The Kids are Not Ok-Class of 2020 Edition

18 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A Choralosophy First attempt at a front porch conversation. I invited members of my recently graduated choral program to talk about what life has been...

Episode 40: When Artists Have to Learn Science with Nick Sienkiewicz

13 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

When Science gets thrust to the center of our artistic world, how do we react, how do we gather info, and how do we decide? An enlightening conversati...

Bonus Episode: Plans for a Hybrid Rehearsal Structure

06 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

How can we streamline the rehearsal process to make the most of student contact time? If you are like me, you have seen a TON of ideas for online acti...

Episode 39: The Birth and Maturation of the Virtual Choir with Eric Whitacre

29 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Eric Whitacre may be the father of the virtual choir. But could he have ever envisioned what it would become? In this episode, I have the honor of spe...

Bonus Episode: Stepping Outside the Choir World with Sociologist Dr. Roderick Graham

23 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Our online choral conversations are frequently centered, especially recently, around culture. How do we negotiate a diverse society within our classro...

Resonance Singer’s Mask Demo (video version on YouTube)

11 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Introducing an AMAZING product from MyMusicFolders.com! The resonance singer’s mask shown in this short demo is an excellent option for risk red...

Episode 38: Necessity is the Mother of Invention with Dr. Farrin Manian

02 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I continue my deep dive into attempting to understand how the pandemic may effect our world generally, but specifically the world of ...

Episode 37: Speaking of Diversity in High Definition with Arreon Harley-Emerson

18 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

National Chair of the American Choral Directors Association’s Diversity Initiatives Committee This episode flipped the normal script a little bi...

Episode 36: Are We Asking All the Right COVID Questions? With Dr. David McKinsey of Research Medical Center

04 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I bring you a substantially in depth conversation with another expert physician who specializes in infectious disease and is on the f...

The Eye of the Tiger

28 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

How Narrow Focus and Tribalism Leads to Bad Decision Making A special edition of the Choralosophy Podcast. It’s basically not about choir at all...

Episode 35: Equity Pitfalls of Online Music Instruction with Emmy Burch

21 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This special episode is a Podcast exchange with the brand new “Music (ed) Matters” podcast hosted by Dr. Emmy Burch. I invite you to check...

Episode 34: Copyright Law Myths and the Future of Choral Publishing with Susan LaBarr

15 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

As we all look forward to an uncertain future in our choral rehearsals, we might also turn our attention to what was an already RAPIDLY changing marke...

Episode 33: Risk Assessment for Group Activities with Dr. Amesh Adalja of Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security

08 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Adalja is a Senior Scholar at the Johns Hopkins University Center for Health Security. His work is focused on emerging infectious disease, pandemi...