beyond ArtLess

Send us Fan Mail What day is it? It's Kevin Day! We had the absolute pleasure of speaking with Kevin about his incredible musical journey so far, the mentors who have shaped him, and where you'll be able to find him at the Midwest Clinic. Kevin shared insights on juggling multiple projects, including the exciting process of creating an opera. We were especially inspired when he said, &qu...

Send us Fan Mail We had to do something to balance the scales - a single guest never stood a chance against three awful hosts. This week we invite two guests at the same time. JoAnne Harris and Carol Brittin Chambers. What followed was a lot LESS talking from the hosts and a lot MORE talking from our guests! What fun to spend an hour with these two amazing composers who just happen to be our featu...

Send us Fan Mail Chris, Peter and Phil finally get to the bottom of what is wrong with Gen X.  But only with the help of our gen Z guest, Kevin Charoensri.  While he has only been composing less than 10 years and he has not even finished his undergraduate degree, his works have been performed all over the country and he has been an artist in residence at numerous colleges.  If you count “crashing...

Send us Fan Mail Want to hear your awkward podcast hosts get quizzed by the guest? Want to hear more about how Peter rarely shows up to a gig? Want to buy a T-shirt? How about trombone jokes? Well, this is the episode for you! Dr. Stephen Bolstad joins the crew this week and shares wisdom from a career as a teacher, conductor, and musician. There is something for everyone here, but you have to wee...

Send us Fan Mail Good friend and exceptional music educator Steve Sveum joins us this week for a great conversation about his start in music as well as some very special mentors like Bernie Powers, Ron Carter, and more. We talk Jazz at Lincoln Center, Birch Creek Arts Camp, Essentially Ellington, Snug Harbor, Bacon Happy Hour, and even kitchen remodeling. Steve offers great insight into the essenc...

Send us Fan Mail Brilliant composer Dana Wilson is one of a kind!  In addition, he is one of the kindest guests we have ever had on the podcast.  Dana has written for soloists from the Chicago Symphony and also music for young band.  Peter, Phil, and Chris try to keep up with our guest and as expected fall well short in that pursuit.  Peter can barely get out of his bed for the podcast, Chris is s...

Send us Fan Mail Chris and Peter share stories about their trip to Montana while Phil shares a story about his trombone being seized by TSA. Thankfully Dr. Emily Moss joins us to share her musical journey, the importance of mentorship, and her approach to teaching conducting. We discuss the evolving landscape of music education careers, the challenges faced by educators, and the need for a cultura...

Send us Fan Mail Dearest commuter, this week Phil and Peter share the same physical location resulting in noticeable tension during the show. Chris realizes that AI can now do podcasts better than this show (not a high bar). Thankfully, Dr. James Weaver, Director of Performing Arts and Sports for the National Federation of High School State Associations, visits with us to explain the implications...

Send us Fan Mail Try hard not to confuse this episode with a guide for folks over 50 needing help with their vision.  Mercifully, our guest saves our hosts from themselves.  Bob Baca is a visionary trumpet player, educator and musical leader.  Join us as we hear about hot dish, snowmobiles, middle school bands with recording contracts and more.  The podcast also leans perilously close to a regular...

Send us Fan Mail Warning, Chris brings up the stinger yet again, Phil is back in his closet, and Peter continues to get hounded, no pun intended, by his dog Louie. Thankfully, Colonel Lowell Graham stops by to share his experiences from his time leading the United States Air Force Band to his passion for motorcycles and soundtracks. He emphasizes the importance of community, mentorship, and curios...

Send us Fan Mail Phil is only present for about 10 minutes of this show. Why? You'll just have to listen to find out. Need an even better reason to listen to this week's episode? Gotcha covered! Meet Dr. Peter Gamwell. Peter is an award-winning leader in education and is recognized internationally for his work in advancing creative organizational cultures. With over ten years of research...

Send us Fan Mail Professional wind ensemble, you say?  Minnesota Winds has arrived, commuter.  This ensemble comes complete with monster musicians, a website second to none and merch that some listeners (Paul Kile) refuse to take off.  Listen to the architects of the group Meagan Bachmeyer and Katherine Bergmann talk about not only great performances but also an incredible mission to educate and i...

Send us Fan Mail This week Jim Stephenson made the unfortunate choice to join us. We talk about his amazing sports career as a youth, how he had to choose between golf or music, and how everything in his life happens by accident. Phil sputters sentence fragrances, Chris gets distracted often, and Peter asks questions that are so long and winding that no one knew what the question was by the time h...

Send us Fan Mail Coming directly from the land of acronyms, our guests this week expanded this podcast's horizons while stretching the hosts' minds (not hard to do). We are thrilled to have you meet two amazing leaders from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction: Dr. Laura Roeker, Director of Teaching and Learning, and Sara Kneuve, Policy Advisor. Laura and Sara discuss their rol...

Send us Fan Mail Yet another episode marred by excessive talking by Peter, poor introductions by Phil and general sleepiness by Chris.  Thankfully, our guest compensates for all of our poor hosting.  Dr. Cindi Johnson Turner has spent her career successfully guiding musicians at every level – middle schoolers, college students at Cornell University, the University of Georgia and now as Dean of Mus...

Send us Fan Mail Our previous two seasons began with a guest named Scott. This year we start with a Stamp and we couldn't be happier! Jack Stamp stops in to share his journey from being a seventh-grade percussionist to becoming a composer and conductor. He reveals his experiences in the music industry, including his work with various ensembles and publishers. Jack also talks about the importa...

Send us Fan Mail Hey Commuters - We are back for another season! This episode is especially bad as it contains no guests! Instead, you can listen to Phil, Peter, and Chris reunite after an eventful summer filled with medical visits, witness relocation programs, and new seasons resolutions. This is definitely an espisode to skip but I guess you've come this far...why not keep going. The good n...

Send us Fan Mail The Season 2 Finale is here! As you will hear, we end the season with more of a whimper than a bang. Regardless, thank you for sticking with us through another season. We are tremendously grateful to all of our guests this past season as well as our six listeners. Have a great summer! We look forward to subjecting you to more mind numbing banter next fall.  Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Our final guest of season 2 is Lt. Col. Ryan Nowlin, the 29th Director of "The President's Own" United States Marine Band! Our conversation covers Ryan's career path from public school music teacher to staff arranger and now Director of "The President's Own." We learn more about his work in this role as well as collaborations with Beyoncé, Kelly...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we talk to Peter about his trip to Panama. No, it is not part of the witness protection program...well, not this time. Our guests, Tim and Christine Baumann share with us their amazing journey in music education (and the planet). They talk about their experiences teaching music in Hong Kong and their roles as co-directors of the International Music Camp in North D...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Phil turns 50. Don’t worry, his status with AARP doesn’t affect his podcasting ability. Thankfully, Jeff Ball stops by for a chat. Jeff is the Director of Bands and Coordinator of Performing Arts at the Grand Street Campus (GSC) High Schools in the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY. He is also the Founder, Artistic Director and Conductor of the Brooklyn Wind S...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Josh Becker, a trombone player and elementary school teacher, shares his experiences and insights. He teaches fifth grade and coordinates the elementary band program in the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan School District in Minnesota. He also runs an instrument donation program, providing instruments to students who cannot afford them. Dr. Becker emphasizes the importance of vari...

Send us Fan Mail This week's guest is John Mackey. It is worth the listen even with the three hosts still involved. Yet, it is important to note an interesting development -  the software we use to produce this podcast now offers AI episode summary and "takeaways". This week's takeaways were too good not to share: Takeaways Sometimes it's necessary to hide in a closet to e...

Send us Fan Mail If you can make it through today's banter which covers hockey skate sharpening, lawn care, tea parties, and changing a tires, you are in for a treat. Today we welcome the "Mandan Dynasty" Jon & Sara Baumann.  John and Sarah Bauman, are music educators from Mandan, North Dakota, known for their contributions to the All State Band Program and their successful musi...

Send us Fan Mail Shortest Show Ever!! You are welcome!  See you next week with TWO fabulous guests! Support the show