beyond ArtLess

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

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...