beyond ArtLess

Send us Fan Mail Well they said it would never happen --Erin Gleason, fabulous music educator, flautist, and spouse of Chris, in a moment of weakness or sympathy, joins us on the show. In an episode that could be subtitled, "tell us what you really think", Erin gives us her honest opinion of the show, grills, clutter, bad banter, and band-o-ramas.  In what some might call a "reveali...

Send us Fan Mail After a well-deserved break from us, we are back to interrupt your life with more mind-numbing banter. This week, we have no guests……but wait….before you hit the delete button consider listening to this episode featuring some of our favorite moments over the past two years. As you will hear in our pre-banter banter, we hesitate to call this a “best of” episode as the term "be...

Send us Fan Mail Here to celebrate St. Patrick's Day is our favorite Irish loving composer, Michael Sweeney! Even our below average banter session didn't sway Michael from sharing a wonderful hour looking back at his start as a musician and composer. We get his perspective on what has changed in composition over the course of his career and learn more about the Hal Leonard Corporation. A...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Beyond Artless, we sit down with the remarkable Dr. Shauna Pickens, an esteemed educator/conductor, trombonist, and Professor at Texas Tech University. Once we get the trombone jokes out of the way, we learn a lot from Dr. Pickens about her later journey through music education, teaching in a low SES school, mentors, and her support for a music education for ALL...

Send us Fan Mail The competition for dullest pre-guest banter continues on.  Following closely behind pre-guest banter is dull post-guest banter.  Thankfully, we’re able to steal Peter away from his tour for a few minutes.  Chris and Phil have nothing important to be stolen away from. Our guest this week is clearly the most comfortable commentator we have ever had on the podcast.  Pete Winslow’s s...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wonder who organizes that big get-together during the holidays? No, I’m not talking about your family’s holiday bash at your Uncle Louie’s house. I’m talking about the Midwest Clinic in Chicago. Kelly Bell is the Executive Director of the Midwest Clinic. She joins us for a wonderful chat about the inner workings of the Clinic, her time at Conn Selmer, mentors like Dr. Tim, an...

Send us Fan Mail In celebration of the Minnesota Music Educators Association (MMEA) Conference this past week, we are pleased to have the fantastic Minnesota music educator Paul Kile with us. Paul shares his upbringing, including the LaCrosse Boys Choir, cymbals, and a skiff (you'll just have to listen). We talk about his amazing work teaching high school band at Edina High School as well as...

Send us Fan Mail Commuters who have been with us since the beginning have grown to appreciate the “homespun” nature of the podcast.  Well, maybe not appreciate, but gently tolerate?  Phil learns the value of restarting his laptop and pays the price by offering very little for the first half of the episode (shut out).  We learn about Ferryville, Wisconsin and surrounding suburbs. Who knew that a da...

Send us Fan Mail Mike George is a legendary figure in the arts education community in Wisconsin and beyond. His leadership has impacted thousands of people over his highly successful career. What an honor to spend an hour with Mike as he shares his childhood experiences and passion for music, discussing his teaching career, involvement in polka bands, and fine arts administration. Emphasizing rela...

Send us Fan Mail This man is Non-Stop! The podcast continues this week by exploring the stories and journey of an extraordinary individual in the world of arts and music - Buddy Deshler. A former Dallas Brass musician, Professor at Furman University, and all-around crazy trumpeter. We dive into Buddy’s early experiences with music, his time with the Dallas Brass, his non-profit “Brass Institutes o...

Send us Fan Mail On this week's show is a man with many skills - from writing drills to building decks; Mark Davison can do it all. He is a gentle giant whose passion continues to nurture all those who get the privilege of working with him. In our conversation, Mark talks about his experience as a private instructor and band director. He shares his experiences with the Essential Ellington Jaz...

Send us Fan Mail There is a great quote that states, “Older siblings: the only people who will pick on you for their own entertainment and beat up anyone else who tries.” This week’s guest is none other than Chris’s big brother, Tim Gleason. Our discussion explores Tim’s amazing teaching and coaching career, mentors, and great books. Learn more than you want to know about growing up in the Gleason...

Send us Fan Mail Beyond Artless has gone International! Peter brings Dr. Jacqueline Dawson, Director of Bands at the University of Manitoba, on for our international debut. Of course, Jacquie is respectful, patient, vulnerable, honest, trustworthy, genuine, we-not-me, and all other things Canadian…which is exactly what Peter, Phil, and Chris are not. Despite the best efforts of the hosts, Jacquie...

Send us Fan Mail This week we turn the tables on the hosts and they become the guests! Phil, Chris, and Peter will have to answer questions from Dr. Haberman’s students and…daughter! A role reversal that brings out the amazing talent and insight from Chris and Phil, and leaves a bit to be desired from Peter. Learn about the amazing Dr. Ostrander and his ability to perform at a world-class level as...

Send us Fan Mail This week’s guest aligns perfectly with the conclusion of the 77th Midwest Clinic held in Chicago. Our guest is the amazing educator, tubist, father, leader, human, friend, and fish catcher, Dr. Paul Budde. His Midwest presentation with co-presenter Erin Holmes (Season 1, Episode 10), called “Why Teach, Why Now”,  inspires music educators to reconnect with their why. This talk is...

Send us Fan Mail Today we have the honor of learning from the renowned Dr. Ward Miller, a musical luminary whose influence reaches far beyond the podium. He shares insights into the profound impact of his mentor, Myron Welch, on his music journey. Commuters will gain valuable perspectives on the importance of mentorship and why Dr. Miller has never been to Idaho! The conversation often takes a hum...

Send us Fan Mail In an effort to improve the quality of this podcast we have not one but two amazing guests with us this week. Adam and Kate Hardt are an amazing music education couple. Our conversation with them covers their busy lives as parents and music educators, mentors Fred Sturm and Mallory Thompson, jazz improvisation tips, reflections of amazing students, upcoming challenges, the importa...

Send us Fan Mail This week’s guest is like a rare gem; she is multifaceted and priceless! Alex Shapiro is an amazing composer, photographer, speaker, author, activist, naturalist, former python breeder, and member of the herpetological society. (Read that last part again.) This is the only music podcast that contains a “Snake Q & A Session.” Not only will you learn about what snakes eat, but y...

Send us Fan Mail Finally.  A guest that delivers some honest and thoughtful feedback about improving the podcast.  One would think that our hosts would be able to operate a stopwatch, but apparently not.  This operates under the assumption that our hosts are interested in making improvements.  Or intelligent enough to make improvements to the podcast.  What exactly does improvement mean? Well, our...

Send us Fan Mail Finally, an episode that has it all.  Phil finally has some articulate questions, but is ridiculed anyways.  Three Disney All-American College Band alumni at once.  Mystery corn sprouting from the fields of Lake Geneva.  The wife/husband team of Beth and Steve Peterson have educated countless band students at both the University of Illinois and Ithaca College.  Beth has two books...

Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, we chat with Wisconsin legend Glenn Hayes. Glenn is in his 37th year as Director of Bands at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. We had the opportunity to learn more about his start in music, current educational changes, influential mentors, his amazing family, what he does to unwind, and an unbelievable story regarding COVID and Carnegie Hall. Glenn&a...

Send us Fan Mail Commuters, the answers to your teaching and learning conundrums are in this episode.  Without a doubt our guest has more brain power that Peter, Phil and Chris combined.  Hear guest Molly Gebrian quickly debunk Chris’ myths about the brain in a tight 20 seconds.  Peter and Phil’s collective brains were always a myth anyways.  Molly Gebrian is professor of viola and chamber music a...

Send us Fan Mail Just in time for Halloween, this episode is sure to both scare and surprise you. Have you ever wondered what it might be like to transition from a profession like music education to let’s say, the state patrol? Well, this week you get to find out as our guest is the one and only Tony Mazzone. Tony not only shares about his career and current gigs as a professional drummer, but als...

Send us Fan Mail This week we gather 'round for tales and insights from a musical maestro, Allen Vizzutti. A man who swam with sharks, danced through the weird and twisted world of professional music, and even dodged Hollywood's most eccentric moments. He's never been in prison or parachuted from a plane, but he's leapt headfirst into a life filled with melodies and harmonies t...

Send us Fan Mail This week, we find Phil BACK in the closet, Peter hiding in his Mother-in-law's bedroom, and Chris relegated to the kitchen where someone continued to make food throughout the podcast…what else would you expect? The only good news is we visited with the amazing, young, and award-winning composer Kelijah Dunton about non-traditional paths through music, passion projects, and c...