beyond ArtLess

Send us Fan Mail Join us this week as we learn from a young teacher who is much brighter than we are! Mickaela Pasch is a recent Concordia grad changing lives all around the state of Minnesota. Intentional, passionate, a volunteer, and visionary in music education (all the things we are not), Mickaela has so many gifts to share with our audience about the real ways to be a successful music teacher...

Send us Fan Mail This week, Eric Songer steps in for Phil, delivering a strong performance as co-host. After helping Peter tackle a minor wardrobe noise issue, we dive into a fantastic conversation with Dr. Mary Land, Associate Professor of Music Education at Western Michigan University. We explore her journey in music education, the power of community in teaching, the impact of mentorship, and th...

Send us Fan Mail It's a BIG week for this below-average podcast! We wrap up our "Inquiring Teens Want to Know" segment (big thanks to Edina HS) and finally put the "What Would Phil and Peter Do" (WWPPD) segment to rest. As if that wasn't enough, our guest Michael Kasper knocks it out of the park, answering poorly conceived questions with brilliance. Tune in to hear Mi...

Send us Fan Mail The Lutheran Mafia has strong representation in this week’s episode! We visit with Dr. Henry Dorn from St. Olaf College and get to hear his southern flare mixed with Midwest appreciation for the cold weather. As usual, Haberman talks too much, Gleason adds in sound effects, and Ostrander sputters sentence fragments. Listen in as we talk about balancing time between family and musi...

Send us Fan Mail That’s it. We’re officially done… with WWPPD. But wait—there’s more good news! This week, we’re joined by the incredible Rachel Maxwell, a renowned middle school music educator and band director from Traughber Junior High in Oswego, IL. We dive into her journey from budding musician to leading her band at the prestigious Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic. Along the way, we cover e...

Send us Fan Mail Show Notes: Learn more about our guests here: JoAnne Harris Alex Tedrow Audio Credits: Flickers by Alex Tedrow, JMU Symphonic Band - Oct. 24, 2023 JMU Symphonic Band Chris DeVona, conductor Audio Recording by Tom Carr https://youtu.be/Xtwweofwo6I?si=2STuOwqyhPJkdl3A 1. NEW - Rising Music Educator Project (RMEP) - Deadline to Apply Feb 28 Are you ready to take your music education...

Send us Fan Mail This Beyond ArtLess Short was captured during our live recording sessions at the 2024 Midwest Clinic. A heartfelt thank you to Eric Songer and John Stewart for stepping in as guest hosts for several episodes. We’re especially grateful to everyone who willingly stopped by to participate in an interview—and to those who accidentally wandered down the wrong aisle and found themselves...

Send us Fan Mail Perhaps the name of the podcast should be changed to “folks smarter than Chris, Phil and Peter.”  Dr. Jamal Rossi has been Dean of the Eastman School of Music for the last decade and has worked as an administrator at some of the country’s finest schools of music.  Trained as a classical saxophonist, Dr. Rossi quickly transitioned into administration and visionary leadership in his...

Send us Fan Mail This Beyond ArtLess Short was captured during our live recording sessions at the 2024 Midwest Clinic. A heartfelt thank you to Eric Songer and John Stewart for stepping in as guest hosts for several episodes. We’re especially grateful to everyone who willingly stopped by to participate in an interview—and to those who accidentally wandered down the wrong aisle and found themselves...

Send us Fan Mail This Beyond ArtLess Short was captured during our live recording sessions at the 2024 Midwest Clinic. A heartfelt thank you to Eric Songer and John Stewart for stepping in as guest hosts for several episodes. We’re especially grateful to everyone who willingly stopped by to participate in an interview—and to those who accidentally wandered down the wrong aisle and found themselves...

Send us Fan Mail Beyond Artless has gone international! This week, we are expanding our horizons with Nacho Piqueras from Oros Travel & Culture. A friend of Peter’s and a music enthusiast, Nacho enjoys connecting people from different cultures through musical and travel experiences that create win-win opportunities for everyone involved. Our conversation covers a wide range of topics: travel,...

Send us Fan Mail What does this week's guest have that this podcast will never have? A GRAMMY! That's right, this week's guest is the 2024 GRAMMY Music Educator of the Year, Annie Ray. Annie currently serves as both the Orchestra Director and Performing Arts Department Chair at Annandale High School (AHS) in the Fairfax County Public School (FCPS) system. Annie is an advocate for pr...

Send us Fan Mail This Beyond ArtLess Short was captured during our live recording sessions at the 2024 Midwest Clinic. A heartfelt thank you to Eric Songer and John Stewart for stepping in as guest hosts for several episodes. We’re especially grateful to everyone who willingly stopped by to participate in an interview—and to those who accidentally wandered down the wrong aisle and found themselves...

Send us Fan Mail This episode has it all.  If all you care about is plastic footwear.  Crocs seem to dominate this week’s episode with our guest - 29 year veteran teacher Jason Gillette.  Jason is the band director at Marquette University High School and is an extraordinary sax player.  Yet another guest is an alumnus of the Disneyland All American College Band.  Thankfully, Chris and Jason agree...

Send us Fan Mail What better way to start 2025 than with our guest, UW-Madison Associate Director of Bands, Dr. Corey Pompey. Corey shares his journey that has led him to the frigid tundra of Madison, Wisconsin taking the helm of the Badger Marching Band after the storied career of Mike Leckrone. Phil admits to sleeping in Hockey Arenas, Peter admits to stealing Chris’ guest, and Chris admits that...

Send us Fan Mail This Beyond ArtLess Short was captured during our live recording sessions at the 2024 Midwest Clinic. A heartfelt thank you to Eric Songer and John Stewart for stepping in as guest hosts for several episodes. We’re especially grateful to everyone who willingly stopped by to participate in an interview—and to those who accidentally wandered down the wrong aisle and found themselves...

Send us Fan Mail This Beyond ArtLess Short was captured during our live recording sessions at the 2024 Midwest Clinic. A heartfelt thank you to Eric Songer and John Stewart for stepping in as guest hosts for several episodes. We’re especially grateful to everyone who willingly stopped by to participate in an interview—and to those who accidentally wandered down the wrong aisle and found themselves...

Send us Fan Mail This Beyond ArtLess Short was captured during our live recording sessions at the 2024 Midwest Clinic. A heartfelt thank you to Eric Songer and John Stewart for stepping in as guest hosts for several episodes. We’re especially grateful to everyone who willingly stopped by to participate in an interview—and to those who accidentally wandered down the wrong aisle and found themselves...

Send us Fan Mail This Beyond ArtLess Short was captured during our live recording sessions at the 2024 Midwest Clinic. A heartfelt thank you to Eric Songer and John Stewart for stepping in as guest hosts for several episodes. We’re especially grateful to everyone who willingly stopped by to participate in an interview—and to those who accidentally wandered down the wrong aisle and found themselves...

Send us Fan Mail This Beyond ArtLess Short was captured during our live recording sessions at the 2024 Midwest Clinic. A heartfelt thank you to Eric Songer and John Stewart for stepping in as guest hosts for several episodes. We’re especially grateful to everyone who willingly stopped by to participate in an interview—and to those who accidentally wandered down the wrong aisle and found themselves...

Send us Fan Mail This Beyond ArtLess Short was captured during our live recording sessions at the 2024 Midwest Clinic. A heartfelt thank you to Eric Songer and John Stewart for stepping in as guest hosts for several episodes. We’re especially grateful to everyone who willingly stopped by to participate in an interview—and to those who accidentally wandered down the wrong aisle and found themselves...

Send us Fan Mail This Beyond ArtLess Short was captured during our live recording sessions at the 2024 Midwest Clinic. A heartfelt thank you to Eric Songer and John Stewart for stepping in as guest hosts for several episodes. We’re especially grateful to everyone who willingly stopped by to participate in an interview—and to those who accidentally wandered down the wrong aisle and found themselves...

Send us Fan Mail This Beyond ArtLess Short was captured during our live recording sessions at the 2024 Midwest Clinic. A heartfelt thank you to Eric Songer and John Stewart for stepping in as guest hosts for several episodes. We’re especially grateful to everyone who willingly stopped by to participate in an interview—and to those who accidentally wandered down the wrong aisle and found themselves...

Send us Fan Mail This Beyond ArtLess Short was captured during our live recording sessions at the 2024 Midwest Clinic. A heartfelt thank you to Eric Songer and John Stewart for stepping in as guest hosts for several episodes. We’re especially grateful to everyone who willingly stopped by to participate in an interview—and to those who accidentally wandered down the wrong aisle and found themselves...

Send us Fan Mail This week’s podcast features Peter’s spouse and MUCH better half, Erika Tomten. We chat about her eclectic career as a performer, visual artist, director, teacher and more. We discuss the challenges and rewards of pursuing a career in the arts, emphasizing the importance of following one's passion and the impact of community involvement. We explore various themes including lo...