That Music Podcast: A Podcast for Elementary Music Teachers

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of That Music Podcast , Bryson sits down with Ashley Cuthbertson, founder of A. Cuthbertson Consulting, to talk about how culturally responsive teaching can transform your music classroom. Ashley shares her own journey—from feeling stuck and uninspired to becoming a leader in helping educators create inclusive and equitable learning environments. They discuss how u...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of That Music Podcast, Bryson dives into the power of proactive communication with parents, offering practical advice to foster trust and partnership with families. For music educators managing hundreds of students, Bryson breaks down how to make a big impact with small, thoughtful actions, from the initial welcome message to setting clear expectations for performa...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of That Music Podcast , Bryson tackles a common classroom challenge: what to do when things feel off in your classroom community. With relatable insights, he explores how a simple 'community reset' can bring students back on track, fostering empathy and refocusing their energy without derailing the lesson. Bryson shares his go-to methods for nurturing a c...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of That Music Podcast , Bryson is joined by Nick Dolan to explore the transformative power of community in the music classroom. Nick shares his journey from doing it all himself to empowering students as "little leaders," fostering responsibility, collaboration, and a deeper connection to music. Together, they discuss practical ways to involve students in...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of That Music Podcast, Bryson dives into what he's most grateful for, sharing a heartfelt reflection on the incredible community of music educators and the journey of That Music Teacher. Tune in as he opens up about the rewarding—and sometimes challenging—path of supporting teachers both inside and outside the classroom. This candid, uplifting conversation is...

Send us Fan Mail In this week’s episode of That Music Podcast , Bryson dives into a practical conversation about finding and focusing on your non-negotiables. With a relatable, down-to-earth approach, he guides you through identifying those must-do tasks that keep us grounded, especially when the demands of teaching pile up. Bryson challenges you to cut through the noise and prioritize what truly...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of That Music Podcast , Bryson gets real about the challenges of balancing it all as a music teacher. He dives into the realities of burnout, offering refreshing advice on setting boundaries, focusing on what matters, and letting go of the pressure to be perfect. Tune in for an honest, empowering conversation on how to stay passionate about teaching without sacrifi...

Send us Fan Mail Ready to thrive in the classroom and beyond? In this episode of That Music Podcast, Bryson welcomes teacher empowerment coach Grace Stevens for an inspiring conversation about achieving true work-life balance as an educator. Grace opens up about her path from corporate burnout to classroom fulfillment and shares practical tips to help you reclaim your time, reduce stress, and brin...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of That Music Podcast , Bryson shares one of his favorite classroom hacks: a simple yet powerful 4-point rubric that he uses for every type of assessment in his music classroom. From vocal performance to rhythm and everything in between, this universal rubric helps him assess consistently and efficiently, all while gathering meaningful insights into student progres...

Send us Fan Mail This week’s episode features a replay of the live Q&A panel from the Middle School Music Summit. Bryson is joined by fellow music educators, Alessandra Santaguida and Amy Burns, to dive into the top challenges middle school music teachers face today. The panel discusses strategies for engaging reluctant learners, incorporating non-vocal activities, and using technology effecti...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of That Music Podcast, Bryson Tarbet chats with the amazing Alessandra Santaguida about the transformative power of project-based learning in the middle school general music classroom. Alessandra shares her incredible insights on how project-based learning can engage even the most challenging middle schoolers, making them active participants in their own education....

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of That Music Podcast , Bryson tackles one of the biggest challenges for music teachers – classroom storage! From keeping track of all those manipulatives to making sure your space stays functional and clutter-free, Bryson’s sharing his go-to strategies for organizing your hands-on resources. Whether it’s affordable plastic bins or scrapbook boxes, he’s got tips to...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of That Music Podcast, we're diving into the world of centers in the elementary music classroom with special guest Becca Davis. Becca shares her go-to strategies for using centers to engage students, differentiate instruction, and—let’s be honest—give us teachers a little breather during lessons. We’ll chat about the big benefits of centers, how to keep studen...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of That Music Podcast , Bryson dives into a challenge most teachers can relate to: managing an overwhelming inbox. From practical tips on streamlining your emails to strategies for getting closer to the elusive Inbox Zero, this episode is packed with useful advice to help you stay organized and stress-free. Whether you’re someone who has thousands of unread emails...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Bryson shares a game-changing executive functioning hack that has streamlined his work as a business owner and could transform your classroom, too—project management software! Bryson explains how tools like Asana (his go-to), Trello, or Google Tasks can help keep track of lesson plans, performances, and other classroom responsibilities, so you can spend more time...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Bryson dives into exploring different ways to lesson plan, from handwritten notes to online templates. After trying it all, he's finally found what works best for him—digital lesson plans! Tune in to hear why going digital made all the difference and how it can help streamline your own planning process. Whether you’re struggling to keep track of lesson plans...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Season 6 of That Music Podcast! Bryson is back and he’s thrilled to share a sneak peek into what this season has in store. Whether you’re a long-time listener or new to the podcast, there’s a lot to look forward to. Bryson discusses the exciting new episodes, guest speakers, and exclusive content aimed at helping you elevate your music teaching game. Plus, hear about so...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of That Music Podcast, join Bryson as he delves into the intricacies of adaptive folk dances in the classroom. Discover how these dynamic movements extend far beyond physical accessibility, fostering inclusivity and ensuring every student's success in musical exploration. Bryson shares practical insights and strategies for planning inclusive movement activitie...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of That Music Podcast, join Bryson as he dives into how folk dances serve as gateways to diverse traditions and experiences, enriching classroom discussions and fostering cultural awareness among students. Tune in for an engaging conversation that celebrates the universal language of music and movement, inviting you to embrace the power of cultural diversity in you...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of That Music Podcast, Bryson explores the topic of gender neutrality in folk dances. With a passion for movement and play parties, Bryson delves into the challenges and opportunities presented when incorporating these activities into the elementary music classroom. From reimagining traditional formations to adapting song lyrics, Bryson shares insightful reflection...

Send us Fan Mail Join Bryson and special guest Rainy Barton in this episode of That Music Podcast as they explore the enchanting world of folk dance in the classroom. With a focus on inclusivity and cultural sensitivity, Rainy shares her passion for exposing students to diverse dance traditions from around the globe. Discover how Rainy incorporates folk dance into school performances and showcases...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of That Music Podcast, Bryson takes you on a journey of empowerment and collaboration as he shares insights from the recent selection process for the upcoming 2024 elementary music Summit. Discover how educators from around the globe are stepping up to share their expertise and passion for teaching music. Plus, get ready to mark your calendars as Bryson announces t...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of That Music Podcast, join Bryson as he delves into recorder instruction. Despite initial skepticism, Bryson reveals how a pivotal shift in mindset transformed his approach to teaching this often-maligned instrument. Drawing from personal experiences and innovative techniques inspired by the Orff approach, Bryson highlights the value of viewing the recorder as a v...

Send us Fan Mail Join Bryson in this episode of That Music Podcast as he shares his journey of empowering second graders to take creative control in crafting their own musical pieces. From using simple materials like apple cards to incorporating group collaboration and instrument experimentation, Bryson demonstrates how giving students ownership can lead to remarkable outcomes. Discover how this a...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of That Music Podcast, join us for an in-depth discussion on the foundational concepts of Orff Schulwerk methodology, focusing specifically on rhythmic building blocks. Our guest, David, a seasoned music educator deeply rooted in the Orff approach, shares insights into how rhythmic building blocks can transform music education experiences for students of all ages....