beyond ArtLess

Send us Fan Mail Becca Arons has contracted ensembles for countless major musical stars – from the Eagles, the Who, Ed Sheeran, Snoop Dog, Cory Wong and Aerosmith to Andrea Bocelli, Stevie Wonder, Weird Al Yankovich, Bob Newhart, Hugh Jackman, Johnny Mathis, Regis Philbin and Prince.  She has contracted orchestras for these broadway shows in just the last few years: the Great Gatsby, Wicked, Suffs...

Send us Fan Mail What does it take to be a great leader? On this episode of Beyond ArtLess, Tobin Stewart, Symphony Orchestra Director and Assistant Professor of Music at Montana State University, joins us to talk about leadership, musicianship, and lifelong learning. Drawing from his book Leading as a Conductor , Tobin shares insights on building ensemble culture, developing student leaders, find...

Send us Fan Mail Step right up!  Test your knowledge about farming in LaCrosse, Wisconsin!  Whoever can answer all the questions will immediately be sent all remaining Beyond Artless Season 1 overstock t-shirts.  Shipping not included.  Our guest Angela Klinkner is an authority on dairy farming, but is also a superstar sixth year teacher in Holmen, WI.  Her years of middle school band teaching in...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when deep commitment to music education, trailblazing pedagogy, and the pursuit of artistry come together in one remarkable career? You get Randy Swiggum, nationally recognized conductor, clinician, author, and leader in Comprehensive Musicianship through Performance (CMP). From Carnegie Hall to the Madison Metropolitan School District, where he currently serves as an...

Send us Fan Mail Commuter, this week we’re talking about music education, change, and the seemingly radical idea that every kid deserves to see themselves in the music classroom. David Davis has gone from traditional music educator to change agent, working to make music education more inclusive, relevant, and equitable for all students. We talk about what needs to change, why literacy matters, and...

Send us Fan Mail Finally, we have a guest that brings some no nonsense Boston sensibility to our upper Midwest goofball hosts.  Lisa Linde is long time music teaching wizard at Newton South High School in Massachusetts.  Her ensembles have won numerous awards and jazz ensemble has performed several times at Essentially Ellington.  She is also founder of jazzhers - a non profit founded to address t...

Send us Fan Mail The Band Whisperer: John Greene What do you get when you combine 37 years of teaching, thousands of rehearsals, a lifetime of listening, and a healthy appreciation for classic rock? You get John Greene—and one heck of a conversation. This week on Beyond Artless , we sit down with retired music educator, clinician, adjudicator, arranger, guitarist, and all-around rehearsal junkie J...

Send us Fan Mail This week on Beyond Artless, we accidentally made an episode that is actually useful. We’re talking copyright, music publishing, digital music, arrangements, AI, and a bunch of other things that music educators probably should know more about—but often don’t have time to figure out. Our guest is Andrea Pelloquin, Executive Director of the Choristers Guild and an attorney specializ...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wonder what a true visionary in arts administration leads like?  Enter our guest Tony Thomann - executive director of the Minnesota Youth Symphonies.  Truly dedicated to the cause of young orchestral musicians in every way, Tony is the ultimate team builder and steady hand on a tiller. Ever wonder what meaningless banter, fruitless band boozlers and wandering questions sound...

Send us Fan Mail What do you get when you put Chris, Phil, Peter, and Dr. Jennifer Hawkinson in the same room? A conversation full of laughter, honest stories, teaching wisdom, and at least a few moments where you'll find yourself thinking, "Yep... that's exactly what it's like to be a music teacher." In this episode of Beyond Artless , we're joined by Dr. Jennifer Ha...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome Back, Commuters! Welcome back to Season 5 of Beyond ArtLess ! After four seasons, more than 35,000 downloads, and an impressive lack of professional growth on the part of your hosts, we're thrilled to have you along for another ride. This season, The Empire Strikes a Budget , we're once again talking with fascinating people about music, education, creativity, and...

Send us Fan Mail In the Season 4 finale of Beyond ArtLess, we are joined by legendary Chicago Symphony Orchestra tubist Gene Pokorny for a conversation that moves seamlessly from orchestral artistry to teamwork, teaching, and steam locomotives. With Peter away caring for family, special guest co-host Paul Kile joins Chris and Phil for a finale episode that is somehow thoughtful, hilarious, and sig...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we journey through the eclectic world of conducting, education, and cultural authenticity — with a side of humor and some self-deprecating confessions. Our guest, Dr. Anthony Marinello III, is an exemplary musician and educator (and self-professed Commuter) who shares insights on everything from embracing the non-linear career path to the importance of humility, a...

Send us Fan Mail There is no greater a stumble than an Ostrander introduction of a guest.  No helping hands from Gleason or Haberman, either.  Our guest is stranded on an island of poorly phrased questions, out of touch follow-ups and frequent misdirects.  Our guest David Scalise follows a trend of well-informed, star powered teachers.  He handles our poor hosting with ease and a great laugh.  He...

Send us Fan Mail Get ready for an insightful and humor-packed conversation with Dr. Alicia Neal—a leader whose passion for music education, community building, and authentic connection shines through every story. Whether you're a seasoned educator or just a band nerd at heart, this episode offers valuable lessons on fundamentals, inclusion, and the joy of teaching music. Resources: Alicia Nea...

Send us Fan Mail It’s only fitting that our longest episode is dedicated to our beloved friend, mentor, and colleague, Nobuyoshi Yasuda. We spend time exploring his childhood in Japan, his journey to UW–Eau Claire, Peter’s unrelenting bowing, the infamous crashing trombone dinner story, Moomers, and, of course, his upcoming retirement and return to Japan.  Join us as we say goodbye to a dear frien...

Send us Fan Mail What does it take to cultivate musical excellence, build real connections with students, and navigate the unpredictability of teaching? Malcolm Burke brings a compelling mix of artistry, humility, and humor. From middle school cello to collegiate conducting, Malcolm’s journey highlights patience, adaptability, and the power of listening. He shares practical insights on motivating...

Send us Fan Mail After 149 episodes of spirited banter, we finally did the unthinkable—we made an episode without it. Don’t get used to it, though. Odds are the pendulum swings back soon and we overcorrect with an episode that’s all banter… and a mildly concerned guest. Fortunately, that’s not the case this week. Sam Quinones is a Los Angeles-based journalist and acclaimed author known for his nar...

Send us Fan Mail This episode features Mike Kamphuis, whose remarkable path to leadership in Conn-Selmer is anything but conventional. From working sprint-car pit crews and running a DJ business to announcing early ultimate fighting events and competing at a high level in bowling, Mike shares how an unusual series of opportunities shaped the mindset that now drives his work in music education. Wha...

Send us Fan Mail Everything about Chris, Phil and Peter screams antiquated (anti-modern).  The jokes, the tech struggles, the slow motion wheezing when attempting to sit or stand.  However, our guest is the living definition of the modern music educator and performer.  Mary Claxton is the director of Teaching and Learning at Music Will - the largest non-profit music program in the United States. ...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Beyond Artless , we sit down with Isaac McMahon, band director at Brookings High School in South Dakota—a musician, educator, and all-around interesting human whose journey to the podium includes farms, baseball no-hitters, homemade hot sauce, and at least one extremely loud tractor tire incident. Now in his seventh year of teaching, Isaac leads a thriving progr...

Send us Fan Mail Tune in for a masterclass in mastering, mountain climbing, and music making. Buzz’s stories take you from Devil’s Tower to small-town pharmacy to collaborating with Yo-Yo Ma. So whether you’re a budding sound god, a mountain enthusiast, or just someone who loves hilarious stories from someone who’s done it all—this episode will leave you inspired, amused, and maybe a little more w...

Send us Fan Mail Will Chris find a way to expand Beyond the Notes to include kazoo choirs?  Will Peter make it through the entire podcast on 1 hour of sleep?  Will Phil win an award for longest question ever?  All of these questions will be answered - sadly testing the patience of our exasperated commuters.  Oh well.  The Buzzler and Bandboozler shall provide a short moment of sanity.  Our guest h...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Beyond Artless , we welcome Dr. Sarah McKoin, educator, conductor, and scholar at Texas Tech University, for a conversation that blends musicianship, mentorship, and corndogs. Dr. McKoin shares her path into higher education and conducting, reflecting on the moments and mentors that shaped her voice as a teacher and musician. From leading ensembles to preparing...

Send us Fan Mail Commuter, you are in for a treat! In this episode, we welcome the extraordinary Patricia Brumbaugh —a trailblazing conductor, educator, mentor, and lifelong advocate for musical excellence. From her early days studying under legendary music educator John Whitwell to leading high school, collegiate, youth, and community ensembles across the country, Pat’s career reflects resilience...