Beyond the Measure: A Podcast for Music Educators

Have a guest recommendation? Let us know! In our final episode of Season 2, we are beyond thrilled to have Brenda Justice, former choir director at Rouse High School, as our final guest - Christian's high school choir director! Brenda shares her experience in creating a culture that made a difference in the lives of countless students, as well as the true purpose of any educator: helping a st...

Have a guest recommendation? Let us know! In this episode, Kara tells us about the growth she has experienced in the past year as an educator. One of the biggest areas has been a mindset-shift in focusing on what you need to grow, and not what others think! Browse Kara's TPT Store ! Follow our official Instagram page and become a part of the community! Want a free piece of music for your ense...

Have a guest recommendation? Let us know! In this episode, Cody Hutcheson, Composer and Assistant Professor of Piano at Howard Payne University, joins us to discuss the variety of experiences he has had in the music profession and how each of them have benefited his understanding of music. This is also a great discussion about how each of us should work to diversify our own skillsets in music! Dow...

Have a guest recommendation? Let us know! In this episode, Dr. Francis Cathlina, Director of Choral Activities at the University of Memphis, joins us to discuss multiple techniques for improving your choir's tone and the importance of understanding the physical workings of your instrument - whether it's your voice or something else! Download the show notes for this episode HERE . Connect...

Have a guest recommendation? Let us know! In our first-ever "solo" episode, Christian explains the process of commissioning composers - having a composer write a brand new piece of music for your ensemble to premiere to the world! He also talks about how commissioning can be an educational experience for students, and the different ways composers try to make the experience as financial a...

Have a guest recommendation? Let us know! Our first guest of 2025 is Mr. Bryce Gage, choir director at Marble Falls High School! Having worked at a 4A program for many years now, Bryce gives us all the examples of what he did to grow what was a tiny choral program into a group that is performing at TMEA this year! He also emphasizes the importance of developing strong musical tone in ANY ensemble,...

Have a guest recommendation? Let us know! Mrs. Diane Harper joins us on the podcast to talk about her experience in the classroom, and how she dealt with the many obstacles she faced. Now a retired orchestra director, Diane provides insight as to how teachers (especially new teachers) can stay strong and keep moving forward during a time when teachers are not getting the support that they need. Do...

Have a guest recommendation? Let us know! This week, we have Dr. Chris Rosborough, Director of Choral Activities at Howard Payne University joins us on the show to discuss how Lessons and Carols services can fit into any church's holiday schedule. We also talk about the necessity to innovate in a variety of circumstances - including only having a small number of musicians in your ensemble. Do...

Have a guest recommendation? Let us know! In the second part of our interview with HSU Cowboy Band Director Jay Lester, we learn about the different traditions the he incorporates in his band - and how traditions in your own ensemble can bring a greater sense of community to the group. Download the show notes for this episode HERE . Follow our official Instagram page and become a part of the commu...

Have a guest recommendation? Let us know! This week, former Fine Arts Director of Abilene ISD Jay Lester joins us to discuss the many roles that an administrator plays in music education. He also shows the key things that admin looks for when hiring, as well what you should and should not do during a music teacher job interview! Download the show notes for this episode HERE . Follow our official I...

Have a guest recommendation? Let us know! We had the honor of sitting down with Dr. Loyd Hawthorne to learn how he impacted the lives of countless students over the course of his career. From conducting all-state choirs to traveling across the state of Texas to recruit for his program, Dr. Hawthorne tells us the secret to making a difference in the lives of students: Intentionality. Are you an HSU...

Have a guest recommendation? Let us know! In the second part of our interview with Mary Jane Phillips, we learn the story behind her ensembles' successes - and how great tone quality in her groups was the foundation of that success. She also gives us a behind-the-scenes look at how her "SOS" and "Choir Hacks" materials came to be - as well as a glimpse of what's curre...

Have a guest recommendation? Let us know! We are excited to welcome Mary Jane Phillips onto the show, who is a well-known mentor for choir directors across the country and co-author of the SOS sight-reading books. She is also the creator of “Choir Hacks,” her TPT store materials. Mary Jane joins us to discuss how to manage the middle school classroom and handle the many obstacles that can arise, f...

Have a guest recommendation? Let us know! Welcome to the first episode of Beyond the Measure - Season 2! Many of us get so caught up in creating music that we forget that we are actually creating leaders. Student leadership and connection is the foundation of everything else we do in the classroom, and our success as a group depends on it. The goal, therefore, is to make the group greater than the...

Have a guest recommendation? Let us know! Welcome to end of "Season 1" of Beyond the Measure! Our final guest is Tanatchaya (Tanya) Chanphanitpornkit, who is the orchestra director of many different ensembles, including the Crescendo Orchestra at the New York Youth Symphony. We discuss with Tanya the significance that honesty and vulnerability can hold in earning the trust of students -...

Have a guest recommendation? Let us know! We've all heard that there is much more beneath the "tip of the iceberg" when it comes to conducting, but what does that actually look like? And what best practices can we do as conductors to grow as music educators? This week, Dr. Andrew Kim of the New York Youth Symphony and Conducting Institute joins us to share his story of how he became...

Have a guest recommendation? Let us know! Being in a profession like music education comes with a lot of scrutiny. This can cause a lot of stress on us and make us afraid to be truly vulnerable - and not just with other people, but with ourselves. It’s important to take time to look in the mirror and ask ourselves “What am I struggling with in the classroom?” and “ What steps can I take to get bet...

Have a guest recommendation? Let us know! This week, Brandon Farren, head choral director at Canyon High School, joins us to discuss how directors can maintain a healthy tone in their ensemble - both from a musical perspective and from the students' perspective. Download the show notes for this episode HERE . Follow our official Instagram page and become a part of the community! Browse Kara&a...

Have a guest recommendation? Let us know! In this episode, Grammy Award-winner Stephen Cox joins us to discuss how the current systems in the music education field will make an impact on the future of our profession. What are we doing now that is working? What's not working? And what changes need to happen soon before more turn away from the profession? Download the show notes for this episod...

Have a guest recommendation? Let us know! This is the second part of our interview with Dr. Frank Eychaner, Director of Choral Activities at the University of Central Arkansas. Frank discusses ways that music educators can continue to renew themselves and take the right steps toward staying mentally and physically healthy. Download the show notes for this episode HERE . Follow our official Instagr...

Have a guest recommendation? Let us know! Enjoy the first part of our interview with Dr. Frank Eychaner, who is the Director of Choral Activities at the University of Central Arkansas. In this episode, Frank talks about how music directors can have mental and emotional sustainability in our jobs - even after years and years of experience (and therefore, exhaustion). This is a great episode for tho...

Have a guest recommendation? Let us know! This week, we welcome Jason Jones to the podcast, who is the band director at Central High School in San Angelo, Texas. Jason has much experience in both large and small music programs, and he tells us about what sort of differences you can find between the two - and whether that should make a difference in how you teach. Download the show notes for this e...

Have a guest recommendation? Let us know! In the second part of our interview with the New Canaan High School Choir Director, Sarah Gleason provides simple ways that student leaders can help influence others to be all-on-board with the purpose of success for an ensemble. Download the show notes for this episode HERE . Follow our official Instagram page and become a part of the community! Browse Ka...

Have a guest recommendation? Let us know! This is the first part of our two-part interview with Sarah Gleason, Choral Director of the New Canaan High School Choir. In this episode, Sarah stresses the importance of community in an ensemble as the foundation of success in all other areas and how giving up control to the students in certain aspects of the class can help encourage them to grow - as a...

Have a guest recommendation? Let us know! Dr. Jeff Goolsby, Director of Choral Activities at Abilene Christian University, joins us to discuss how he came to be a choir director and how he takes many different avenues to create a unique concert experience. We no longer live in an age where being expected to sit down, “shut up,” and listen to live music is appealing to the average audience member....