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Music Ed Insights.
Dr. Steve Shanley, Alan Feirer, and national thought leaders explore current issues in music education, with practical application for K-12 music educators.
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Insiders will receive: A shout out on the next episode we record, access to ad-free episodes, an invitation to a monthly insider-only Zoom meeting with Alan and Steve, and at least one bonus insider-only episode each month.
New Episode:
Does it hold up? The Non-Competitive Ensemble, three years later
03/10/25
Steve and Alan take a fresh look at our talk with New Trier director Matt Temple about performing at a very high level without the pressure or benefit of competition. This was our very first episode.
Recent Episodes:
Quick Pro Tips: Exploring the Pros and Cons of Loyalty in Music Programs
03/03/25
In this insightful discussion, Dr. Matthew Armstrong, Director of Choirs at Wayne State College, engages co-host Alan Feirer in an exploration of the complex topic of student loyalty to music teachers and programs. They examine the potential benefits and pitfalls of cultivating strong loyalty, drawing on their extensive experiences to provide valuable perspectives for music educators. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of how to foster a healthy, inclusive program culture that balances loyalty with other important considerations. Fun fact: all the male voices in our popular Quick Pro Tips jingle are Dr. Armstrong.
Quick Pro Tips: Selecting Quality Elementary Literature with Lucas Petersen
02/24/25
Co-host and composer Steve Shanley gets Dr. Lucas Petersen to share a practical process of evaluating the quality of music written for performance ensembles of beginners in their first couple of years of playing. We’ll learn five easy criteria to apply: balance and structure, uniqueness/surprises, consistency, genuineness/ingenuity, and craftsmanship/orchestration.
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