Choir Baton

What happens when a grieving person finds comfort in a song — and then discovers it was made by AI? That question is the heart of this episode, and it captures everything that matters about the moment we're in as choral musicians. This episode is a deep dive into AI: what it actually is, how we got here, and why Beth believes it represents one of the greatest opportunities choral music has ha...

Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger Music by: Scott Holmes Follow @ChoirBaton on Instagram | TikTok | YouTube | Facebook Visit ChoirBaton.com Follow @BethPhilemon on Instagram | TikTok | YouTube | Facebook | LinkedIn Visit BethPhilemon.com Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger Music by: Scott Holmes Follow @ChoirBaton on Instagram | TikTok | YouTube | Facebook Visit ChoirBato...

This episode in 2019 is the most downloaded Choir Baton Podcast Episode ever. And I get it. This time of year is insane.  But last year it wasn’t. Or if it was crazy for you, chances are it wasn’t because you were in a million different performances - you were probably dealing with the pandemic in your own way and with your own family stuff.  Did you promise yourself last year that you wouldn’t le...

Yep, clickbait title. But real life truths thrown at you in this episode. I'll talk to you about what ONE THING you need to add to your rehearsals this concert season to increase connection and accelerate growth. Follow @ChoirBaton on Instagram | TikTok | YouTube | Facebook Visit ChoirBaton.com Follow @BethPhilemon on Instagram | TikTok | YouTube | Facebook | LinkedIn Visit BethPhilemon.com C...

Burnout is real. In this episode, I encourage you to do less. There is always more we can do as choral musicians and directors. But in order to be able to continue doing what we do, we need to cut down on overloading ourselves.  If you’re watching this on YouTube, don’t forget to subscribe, like this video, and let us know what resonated with you from this episode - and if you’re listening to this...

Jenna and discuss the importance of having "choir and ____." As choir teachers, we can get caught up in our work and it become the only thing we do. However, we all have many gifts and abilities. We talk about some different ways to incorporate those in school or outside of the classroom. If you’re watching this on YouTube, don’t forget to subscribe, like this video, and let us know what...

Jessica Grant and I discuss common themes that I think most, if not all, music teachers can relate to. Amongst other topics we discuss the feeling of belonging and that you are enough and how we can communicate these things to ourselves as well as our students. We also discuss what it means to measure achievement by growth rather than specific goals. You can find Jessica on Instagram @highafternoo...

Hey Choir Baton Podcast Listeners,  Listen to  the basic Choir Baton Choral Musicianship framework I use in the Choir Baton Teaching Membership and courses with friend and middle school choir teacher Benny Dominguez. Benny reached out to me on some questions regarding sequencing, pacing, and more - you’ll get to listen and learn right along with Benny as I walk him through the CBTM way.  Thanks fo...

I had three profound conversations about leadership over the past week and I couldn't not share them with the Choir Baton community. I think we are all familiar with the problem of taking on too many projects and staying busy, as teachers or as musicians. This episode is for you to let you know three important lessons that I learned this week and am still learning on how to be a stronger lead...

In this episode, I discuss my reasons for leaving the classroom. It was not easy, but there were a lot of factors that impacted my decision. I know that especially during this time, you may be thinking about what you can change and control, and I am here to tell you - it is okay. Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger Music by: Scott Holmes Follow @ChoirBaton on Instagram | TikTok | YouTu...

In this episode, Chantae and I discuss the many ways that students can have ownership of the music process in the choral classroom. This conversation led to topics such as sight reading, independence, and giving students leadership opportunities. Chantae D. Pittman is the Director of Choral Activities at Campbell High School in Smyrna, GA. Ms. Pittman is passionate about all forms of music. She is...

I discovered Becky on Instagram as a @beckyparkonposhmark and her work as a high school choir teacher and a clothes reseller. In this episode, we discuss having passions outside of choir and our dive into the true impact choir can have in a student's life that is not just musical. Learn more about Becky or connect with her through Instagram or YouTube Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Heme...

Marshall Butler has impacted many student's lives over his years teaching. In this interview, we talk about the teamwork aspect of choir as well as many other important topics and memories from his years teaching. This interview is especially meaningful to me because Mr. Butler taught for 24 years at Sanderson and left shortly before I took the position at Sanderson High School. Since March,...

Today I am joined by my former co-worker and dear friend, Mr. Alexander Alberti. We cover a variety of different areas in this podcast but one that stuck out to me in particular was this idea of "breaking the cycle of expectations" in teaching music the way it has always been taught. We have so many resources at our disposal, we should take advantage of technology, community members, and...

It is the first Choir Baton episode of 2021! In this podcast, I discuss the Revamp course I am offering to help you start the new year and the new semester prepared and ready to embrace changes and circumstances as they come. Join me through an episode of reflection as you reflect on your own year and the things you have learned from it. To enroll in the Revamp course, click here Choir Baton Host:...

Hello, Choir Baton Community. In this episode I address the reasons and process for creating the Choir Baton Teaching Membership. I talk about the gaps that I found as a teacher and how I have worked to fill them. Our students want to know the "why" of everything we teach, listen to find out ways to give that to them! Choir Baton Host: Beth Philemon | Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie...

This episode is a sequel episode to 26. It's the Most Wonderfully Stressful Time of the Year. In a year without concerts, gigs, and performances to plan, rehearse for, and execute, we do not have the same stressors as usual. However, we have had plenty of other struggles through the year and especially this season. You may have found yourself comparing your program to others more frequently b...

In this conversation we talk about participatory culture and how it relates to adjustments and rethinking the music curriculum. Evan Tobias is Associate Professor of Music Learning and Teaching at Arizona State University where he heads the Consortium for Innovation and Transformation in Music Education citme.asu.edu. He is also Director of ArtsWork: The Kax Herberger Center for Children and the A...

Our fear of judgement can often hold us back from reaching our full potential. Listen as I discuss this as well as other topics of Music Service Learning, the importance of listening, and more in this conversation with Marci Major and Hannah Knauss, co-authors of the book Choral Connection. Dr. Marci Major serves as Chair and Associate Professor of Music Education at West Chester University, PA, a...

Listen to this episode to hear all of the ways Kaitlin Simonson has been creatively overcoming virtual learning as a barrier and engaging students in singing in new ways!  Kaitlin Simonson teaches music at The Brearley School in Manhattan, and is the conductor of the Lux Mea Women’s Chorus. She relocated to New York four years ago after teaching choir at Canarelli Middle School in Las Vegas, NV. U...

After a life changing performance experience watching the Dallas Street Choir sing at national ACDA conference a couple years ago, I have the honor of interviewing Dr. Jonathan Palant, the conductor. Listen to hear his perspective on inequality in music and making a community space for singing. Jonathan Palant is Associate Professor and Director of Choral Activities at the University of Texas at D...

This interview is with my former high school teacher and one of my reasons for going into music education, listen for stories and powerful conversation. Diane Covington served as Choral Director at Leesville Road High School in Raleigh, North Carolina for 19 years.  During her tenure there, the Leesville Road Choral Department grew in numbers from 32 singers to its enrollment of 200 upon her retir...

In this episode, my professor at North Carolina University in the MBA program shares his insight about changing professions, transferrable skills, and the value of teachers. Chris is an adjunct professor, strategy, leadership and innovation consultant, and the President and COO of a boutique management consulting firm. He has served in six general management and senior level roles, ranging from st...

Emmy and I discuss a wide range of topics but we keep returning to the "why." Knowing the "why" of anything you do is important, listen to this episode to find out more about how to find your purpose and self-reflect. Dr. Emily Williams Burch is the founder and artistic director of RISE Chorales, a community choir organization in Savannah, GA with a mission of experiencing musi...

Join me in this episode with Tori Cook as we discuss the intersection of music and business, the future of community choirs, the innovation of the choral community during Covid-19, and much more! Tori Cook is the Director of Sales & Marketing at Chorus Connection. She sings with the Tanglewood Festival Chorus and is a board member of the Greater Boston Choral Consortium. In a past life, she wa...