Pass the Baton: Empowering Students in Music Education, a Podcast for Music Teachers

In episode 75, Theresa and Kathryn are joined by Emily Meyerson, a seasoned music educator, to discuss her unique approach to teaching music through the TAB (Teaching for Artistic Behavior) pedagogy. Emily shares her experiences transitioning from a traditional teaching model to one that empowers students to behave and think like musicians. She emphasizes the importance of giving students creative control in the music classroom, en...

In Episode 74, Kathryn and Theresa talk to Berry McWhorter about how his deep dive into Japanese music education transformed his approach to teaching. After discovering the impressive performance of Japanese middle school bands during his studies, Berry embarked on a journey to understand the unique student-led structure of Japanese music programs. He found that these programs place significant responsibility on students to lead re...

In episode 73, Kathryn and Theresa engage in a compelling conversation with Ally McGowan, a dedicated middle school orchestra teacher from Connecticut. Ally shares her journey of transitioning from traditional methods of student engagement to a more empowering approach in her classroom. She discusses how small, intentional changes in her teaching methods have transformed her students' learning experiences, moving them from pass...

In this episode of the Pass the Baton podcast, hosts Kathryn Finch and Theresa Hoover kick off the fourth season by discussing how to create an empowering classroom environment as the new school year begins. They emphasize the importance of setting the tone early, fostering an inclusive and positive atmosphere where students feel confident and motivated. The conversation delves into practical strategies for building student engagem...

In Episode 71, Kathryn and Theresa celebrate the conclusion of Season 3, reflecting on the 20 episodes produced and the incredible people they met within the field of music education. Now three years old, the book “Pass the Baton” has had an incredible impact, as did the successful graduate course run through VanderCook College of Music this spring. With an emphasis on the importance of student-centered teaching and collaborative l...

In Episode 70, Kathryn and Theresa talk to Dr. Sarah Gulish, a former high school music teacher turned digital publisher. Sarah shares her journey from classroom teaching to founding a music education company, F-flat Books. She highlights the release of her new children's book, "Rosie Rocks," which tells the story of a shy girl finding her voice through playing the electric guitar. The book emphasizes themes of studen...

Episode 69 of the podcast, Theresa and Kathryn address common concerns from music teachers about transitioning to more student-empowered classrooms. The episode focuses on how teachers can relinquish control while effectively meeting educational standards and ensuring administrative approval. The hosts emphasize the importance of incorporating student choices and fostering independence, while ensuring the curriculum aligns with the...

In Episode 68 of the podcast, guest Yeshima shares their extensive background and current projects in music education, highlighting their passion for incorporating project-based learning (PBL) into music classrooms. Yeshima details their journey from teaching high school band and percussion in Texas to embracing elementary general music after being inspired by a music educators conference. Now pursuing a PhD, they reflect on their ...

In Episode 67, the conversation centers on transformative approaches to student assessments. Angela Harman shares her journey from traditional to student-driven assessments, which involve students in both self-assessment and peer feedback processes. This method not only makes assessments more meaningful and manageable but also fosters a supportive learning environment where students are encouraged to be active participants in their...

In Episode 66, Kathryn and Theresa continue their discussion with Alex Adams about the transformative role of songwriting in music education. Building on the foundation laid in Episode 65, Alex offers a deeper exploration into how songwriting can be a powerful medium for students to connect their personal experiences with the academic study of music. He emphasizes the importance of creating a music education environment that resona...

In Episode 65, Kathryn and Theresa dive into the first part of an enlightening interview with Alex Adams, a seasoned music teacher with 15 years of experience in both private studio and public school teaching. Alex shares his unique journey from teaching in Maine to becoming a teaching artist with the Documentary Songwriters organization, and his current role as a graduate student at Arizona State University. He discusses the signi...

In Episode 64, Kathryn and Theresa delve into the common pitfalls educators face in music education, emphasizing the importance of student ownership and engagement. The discussion navigates through the essential strategies for avoiding four key mistakes that can stifle student creativity and initiative. From the nuances of genuinely listening to student voices to the intricate balance of guiding creative activities, this episode se...

In episode 63, Kathryn and Theresa talk to Angela Ammerman, a music educator in Northern Virginia. Angela discusses innovative recruitment strategies for music programs, emphasizing the critical role of student and community involvement in building and sustaining vibrant music education environments. Highlighting her own experiences and insights from her book, "The Music Teachers Guide to Recruitment and Retention," Angel...

In Episode 62, Kathryn and Theresa talk to Kathleen Jacoby, a high school band director in Fairfax, Virginia. Kathleen’s teaching philosophy revolves around student ownership and engagement in the music program, drawing from her own experiences in a small band program where every member's contribution was vital. She shares innovative strategies she employs to involve students in decision-making processes, such as selecting piec...

In episode 61, Kathryn and Theresa talk to Dr. Rob Pethel, an innovative music educator with a passion for guitar and virtual teaching. Rob talks about the importance of embracing change and innovation in music education, shedding light on his approach to keeping students engaged and motivated in a virtual environment. He discusses methods for fostering a creative and productive learning space, highlighting the critical role of tec...

In Episode 60, Kathryn and Theresa interview Kyle Smith, a high school band director from Maine. Kyle discusses his journey and experiences, emphasizing the importance of continuous growth and learning in education. He shares insights from his podcast "The Growing Band Director," where he and his guests explore various educational topics. Kyle talks about effective teaching methods and the significance of keeping music ed...

In Episode 59, Kathryn and Theresa engage in a conversation exploring the intersection of music education, student empowerment, and research! Theresa, a PhD student at Arizona State University, delves into her research project that analyzes themes from the Pass the Baton podcast, particularly focusing on secondary music education. 

The discussion reveals key findings: music teachers strive for their students to become independent m...

In Episode 58, Kathryn and Theresa interview Jamie Widener, a music educator passionate about incorporating Genius Hour in her elementary music classes. The episode focuses on Jamie's approach to engaging students by allowing them to pursue music-related passion projects, inspired by Google's strategy of allowing employees to dedicate 20% of their work time to personal projects. Jamie discusses the practical aspects of impl...

In episode 57, Kathryn and Theresa talk to SJ, a music educator originally from India, now teaching in Dubai. In this interview, SJ discusses his approach to teaching music to early and primary year students. He emphasizes the importance of using the voice as a primary instrument in the classroom and reflects on his transition from a traditional, teacher-centered approach to a more inquiry-based, student-centered style. SJ advocate...