#MusicEdLove Podcast

From the local news to Anderson Cooper, Dr. Jake Kohut has been everywhere lately thanks to his dedication to music and music education. A music teacher and a member of the 257th Army Band, Sgt. Kohut spent this past week in a humvee protecting our nation’s capitol AND teaching elementary music. Jake and I have been friends for a long time and it was so fun to have him on the podcast! Jacob Kohut is a Washington-based bassoonist, composer, and music instructor. He currently is the president of the Fairfax County Band Directors Association and coordinator of the Fairfax County Band Directors’ Association Solo Competition. His resume of compositions for various ensembles and ability levels now exceeds 50 pieces. Some of his ensembles have been performed by the Mason Symphony Orchestra, Mason Wind Ensemble, West Potomac High School Wind Symphony, Bishop Ireton High School Wind Ensemble, Lanier Middle School Wind Ensemble, Hayfield Secondary Symphonic Band, 257th Army Band, and the Capitol Reed Trio.  As an eleven-year member of the 257th Army Band in Washington, DC, Jacob has performed in Jamaica and the Virgin Islands for notables including the Jamaican Ambassador, Former First Lady Michelle Obama, National Security Advisor, H. R. McMaster, and Chief of the National Guard Bureau, General Frank Grass.  Download the episode to hear all about what Dr. Kohut has been up to recently! Check out Jake’s Open Shot Tutorial HERE Find more on Jake’s website HERE and click HERE for his youtube page

Welcome to our New Years Eve Special Episode with Dr. Blair Williams! Dr. Williams is Assistant Professor of String Music Education at Texas Tech University and Director/Master Teacher of the TTU String Project. She is the co-founder/conductor of the Lubbock Civic Orchestra. She has presented educational sessions and research as well as served as clinician, conductor, and adjudicator across the country. She currently serves on several committees and boards for national, state, and local music associations. In this episode, Blair tackles some of the common obstacles facing music teachers, particularly in rural communities and small towns. Blair reminds us all to collaborate, connect, and to always ask for whatever it is we need. Just Ask: Making Connections Where You are Planted with Blair Williams Here are a few notes from our episode, but listen to get the full picture! Tell us a bit about your own experience growing up and working in small, isolated, or newer programs? Small, but traditional/long-standing program in KansasNew program in Waco/Hewitt while attending undergraduate – got to see the building and developmentDid you experience any issues with arts advocacy? We all experience issues with arts advocacy – it’s finding ways to connect to a community that is unique in each place.What kinds of musical offerings do you see in rural schools? In 2015-2016, I surveyed self-identified rural string teachers for my dissertation as I had an interest in small communities that house string programs. Some had traditional string, band, choral classesSome focused on jazz band or show choirOthers served folk or cultural music that represented their communities – mariachi, native american, etc. But others were using technology – DJ, mixing, etc.How might you handle common issues such as:Transportation Here, local procedures and policies will be varied. I was asked one year to consider getting a CDL to be able to drive the bus periodically when a driver might not be available. I know many directors that do this.Instrument procurementI was super lucky here! Both growing up and in my professional career.Growing up: There were both larger corporate music stores and a few private luthier shops — but in larger cities — but everything was in larger cities. My teachers taught us early on how to check our instruments, change strings, etc.Professional career: Limited access. But then formed further relationships with dealers in larger cities that began to make bi-weekly trips to our region.Community supportCommunities want to know what you are going to do for them — not just exist in the school, etc. Performing: weddings, receptions, local organizations, contribute to school competitions/fairs/state awards, etc.Service: string clinics in elementary schools, beginner start-up camp (try it out), Adopt-A-Highway, etc.Some of my students have been given complete freedom to do with their program as they see fit but they are finding it overwhelming. Where would you suggest they start? Start with the big rocksConcerts/Service/Fundraising/Trips?Talk with your principals and Fine Arts Coordinators (or other fine arts teachers) about the expectations in the school and municipal community of the orchestra program.Talk with parents and students about their expectations.Find out what activities other groups in your community already does — you don’t want to step on any toes! What advice would you give a teacher with an administration/community that doesn’t seem to support music in their school?First, you have a job in this community, so therefore there must be some kind of support there — find out more about the history of your program. Is it traditional, when was it created? By whom? What has the group done — concerts, programs, travel, awards?Second, find small ways to support your administrators as people — we learned the fight songs or alma maters of the administrators colleges and universities — to be able to either record and send to them on their birthdays — or simply show up outside their office to flash mob them. (Check with their secretaries, of course!)Third, find ways to get involved in the community. Is there a community celebration/fair/etc? Can you have a booth or a float? Perform at local association/organization meetings or special events, etc. Many of my former students are the only music teacher at multiple schools. They are struggling to find work-life balance. Do you have any suggestions for them? Completely understand! Yes! Find ways to combine and collaborate with those schools! Organize a combined Fine Arts Booster Club – all involved! Look for ways to collaborate with regional programs.Very few schools in West Tennessee have string programs but many of our graduates have expressed interest in starting a string program. What are some resources you can recommend? DO IT! Start to put together a budget and proposal. Communicate with string instrument dealers for estimates and help with supplies. Many resources! Become a membership of your state and national organizations! Lots of resources and people! During this pandemic, what have you missed most right? Have you found any major benefits to this new model of teaching?Seeing and engaging with our students in-person. Doing some hybrid teaching for university classes, but have been online with string project and had to cancel community orchestra–looking forward to being with them again soon, I hope! Reach out to Blair at: blair.williams@ttu.edu Or follow Blair and her activities on social media: Facebook: @TTUStringProject Instagram: ttustringproject Twitter: @TxTechStrProj

Far too often, I have spent so much time drilling one section of an orchestra while the rest of the ensemble sits unengaged and bored. With my Round Robin Rehearsal techniques, you will save countless hours of unengaged time. This will lead to increased student retention, student engagement, success, and all over enjoyment. To see more, check out my latest video posts on musicedlove.com . 8 Minutes to a Better Rehearsal with the Round Robin Rehearsal

This week, we chat with Music Majors at the Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music at George Mason University about what it’s like to major in music performance, music education, and jazz studies. Hannah Pennisi, Hunter Wirt, Jaelin Mitchell, and Nathan Hockey provide the scoop on what it’s really like to be a music major. They discuss the credit hour myth in music, knowing your worth, the immense power of your studio professor, and provide suggestions as high school students begin the decision-making process of selecting a school of music. Feel free to reach out to us if you are interested in contacting any one of our music majors! They would be happy to address any of your questions. Thanks for tuning in and remember to leave us a review!

This week, we meet with some music teachers who are also parents to chat about managing it all. Erin Stavropolous and Kelley McNamee discuss time management, recruitment, burnout, being a female in a male-dominated field, delegation, and the art of saying NO when it just isn’t worth it. It’s Okay to Say No We hope you love this episode as much as we do!

Our good friend, Keith Hodgson joins us on #MusicEdLove to discuss Assessment, Goal Setting, Being in the Kid’s Corner, and creating a culture for musical growth. I just love Keith’s ideas on assessment and hope you will find his recommendations helpful for your own teaching, data collection, and advocacy! Among the many tips from Professor Hodgson, here are my favorites! Start thinking of Assessment as GOAL SETTING instead of testing. Have your students create their own achievable goals. Create a simple portfolio for students to track their own goals for years on end.Keep that portfolio with you so that you can show it at IEP meetings, etc. Then, at the end of a student’s K-12 career, they can have a portfolio that demonstrates on paper, all of the musical activities they participated in and the tremendous growth they experienced. You will know when your assessment is working if students become personally invested and motivated. Before you know it, you will have a culture of musical growth. Contact: Khodgson@uarts.edu or http://www.keithwhodgson.com

We are so excited about this episode of #MusicEdLove featuring Dr. Charles Laux! Dr. Charles Laux is the Director of Orchestras at Alpharetta High School where his duties include directing five levels of orchestra, including the nationally recognized AHS Symphony Orchestra.  He also serves as Essential Elements clinician, consultant, and contributor for the Hal Leonard Corporation.  A string educator for over 20 years, Dr. Laux has worked with diverse student populations from elementary school through the collegiate level.  He served as Assistant Professor of String Music Education at Kennesaw State University and directed award-winning school orchestra programs in Nevada, Florida, and Ohio. Endorsed as an artist-educator by D’Addario Orchestral and Eastman Stringed Instruments, Dr. Laux has presented over 150 educational sessions for conferences and school district in-services. He remains in frequent demand across the nation as an orchestra clinician, conductor, and adjudicator. You can contact Charles at his website: https://www.charleslaux.com

Today, Dr. A chats about 8 important considerations when your child decides he or she wants to major in music. So Your Child Wants to Major in Music: 8 Tips from Dr. Ammerman Dr. Angela Ammerman, President-Elect of the Virginia String Teachers Association, has been featured in the Washington Post for her innovative and energetic teaching style and was referred to as the first “music teacher prodigy.” Dr. Ammerman was named Orchestra Director of the Year by the Virginia String Teachers Association, has been recognized as “top teacher” in Fairfax County Public Schools, and currently teaches at George Mason University. Ammerman presents and conducts all over the country and mostly enjoys spending time with her new baby, David Michael.  Dr. Ammerman loves working with parents and students as they navigate the world of the music major and would be happy to chat with anyone who has questions about studying music at the undergraduate or graduate level. 8 Considerations from Dr. A: You can seriously do ANYTHING with a music degree. Rather than thinking of this degree as limiting, Dr. Ammerman recommends that you see all of the potential and flexibility of a music degree. Businesses across the country are actively seeking music majors as they are found to be disciplined, hard working, excellent thinkers, and creative. Get your child a private teacher as soon as possible! Ask your school music teacher for recommendations today!Reach out to the Applied Professor (private teacher at the university level – if your child is a violist, search the university website for the viola professor) at the university your child is most interested in. Schedule a mock audition with each applied professor at the various universities your child might attend. Music Ed Specific – Find out when your child will get their first music education experience. Will they get to teach kids in their first semester? Or will they have to wait until their senior year? How do admissions work at each university? Does your child have to be accepted to just the university? Or to the university and the school of music? ASK ASK ASK ASK! Ask all of the questions you might have to the applied professor, the music education professor, or the school of music ambassador. They are here for you and your child and are always interested in what is best for your child (even if that isn’t to attend their university).Geographic Location – How close is the nearest symphony? What performance and teaching opportunities exist and how close are they? Does your child need a car for this school? What is the time commitment like? Will your child be expected to practice 8 hours a day? Is that realistic for your child?

It is our extreme pleasure to welcome AUTHOR Friends: Kim Ankney & Dan Healy onto the show to chat about their new book: Music Discovery: Improvisation for the Large Ensemble and Music Classroom. Sitting in Sharp and Flat with Dan Healy and Kim Ankney Healy & Ankney tackle the all important balance between control and empowerment, the art of listening, and developing the willingness to take risks in the classroom. When speaking about improvisation, Kim says “…it sometimes can feel awkward because we always want to know where we’re going and what we’re doing. So to step back, you have to really hold back the reins, a little bit and it can be uncomfortable.” Both Dan and Kim encourage us to lean into that discomfort for a bit because although we may not have the skills at first, we eventually will become better listeners and better facilitators for our students to really explore and take the lead. Daniel Healy is the Assistant Professor and Head of Music Education at Roosevelt University in Chicago. He specializes in instrumental music and improvisation.  He co-authored the book, Music Discovery: Improvisation for the Large Ensemble and Music Classroom and the education supplement for the award-winning documentary film, Keep on Keepin’ On. Kimberly Lansinger Ankney is assistant professor and Director of Music Education at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Virginia. Her research focuses on teachers’ perceptions of student thinking in improvisation, responsive pedagogy, preservice teacher development, and string education. She is the co-author of Music Discovery: Improvisation for the Large Ensemble and Music Classroom.

This week, we welcome John Kilkenny onto #MusicEdLove. John Kilkenny is a leading performer, educator and artistic leader who is successfully forging a 21st-century career in the arts. As the Artistic and Executive Director of the Sewanee Summer Music Festival, John has guided this esteemed festival to new heights of artistic success. Under Kilkenny’s direction, the Sewanee Summer Music Festival has reached record breaking enrollment and revenue. I have had the distinct pleasure of working with John and to witness firsthand his dedication to innovation, excellence, music, and music education. Additionally, John is the Director of Percussion Studies and Associate Professor at George Mason University where he has led his students in performances across the country and the globe. It is with great pleasure that we welcome Professor Kilkenny onto the show today! Some of the greatest takeaways from this episode are: It’s not about TIME management, it is all about PRIORITY managementDive into the DEEP work that makes your life more meaningfulDEFINE what you are before you spend time on work that may not contribute to your end goals.Find your BLUE OCEAN and make the most of it! Where is Your Blue Ocean? with John Kilkenny