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PODCAST

Music Ed Insights

Dr. Steve Shanley and Alan Feirer

Dr. Steve Shanley, Alan Feirer, and national thought leaders explore current issues in music education, with practical application for K-12 music educators.

education performing arts

All Episodes

08:32

Quick Pro Tip: How One School Made Professional...

Music Ed Insights ·

2025/05/05

In this episode of Music Ed Insights, Alan and Steve welcome longtime listener Michael Kosiek and Carlisle High School principal Andrea Hoekstra. They share how Carlisle’s flexible approach to professional development allows teachers—especially music educators—to focus on learning that’s relevant to their subject areas. Hear practical advice for how teachers and administrators can work together to create PD that truly supports professional growth.

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03:58

Quick Pro Tip: Give Compliments – the Why and How

Music Ed Insights ·

2025/04/28

In this episode of Music Ed Insights, Alan and Steve unpack what makes a compliment truly meaningful—especially in the classroom or rehearsal setting. From specificity to timing to structure, they share practical ways to reinforce good behavior, boost motivation, and show appreciation in a way that actually sticks. Whether you're working with students or colleagues, this quick tip will help you give compliments that make a difference.

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04:02

Quick Pro Tip: Are Secondary Music Teachers Doing Too...

Music Ed Insights ·

2025/04/21

Alan and Steve respond to a message from a listener who asks a bold but important question: Are high school music teachers doing too much? From overloaded calendars to student burnout, they explore what drives the packed schedules—and how to lead strong programs without running ourselves or our students into the ground.

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05:22

Quick Pro Tip: How to Lead Well by Stepping Back...

Music Ed Insights ·

2025/04/14

Alan and Steve explore how directors can model effective leadership during a clinic or festival rehearsal. It’s tempting to jump in, redirect, or show what you already know—but great leadership in these moments often means knowing when to step back. With practical advice on professional etiquette, communication, and presence, this episode helps you get the most out of your guest clinician—for your students and for yourself.

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27:26

Empowering the Next Generation of Musicians with...

Music Ed Insights ·

2025/04/07

In this episode, Alan and Steve sit down with Chuck Dickerson, the Founder and Music Director of the Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles (ICYOLA). Chuck shares his insights on the importance of increasing diversity and representation in classical music, and provides actionable strategies for K-12 music educators to make a difference.From incorporating music across the curriculum to advocating for policy changes, Chuck offers a roadmap for teachers to engage underrepresented students and

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06:35

Quick Pro Tip: How to Prep Your Students for a...

Music Ed Insights ·

2025/03/31

In this episode of Music Ed Insights, Alan and Steve discuss simple but powerful ways to prepare students for clinics and guest rehearsals. From body language and eye contact to answering questions and teacher prep, this conversation offers practical tips for band, choir, orchestra, and general music teachers—especially during festival season. Help your students make the most of these valuable learning moments with confidence and professionalism.

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34:20

Classroom Management Strategies with Jenny Gee

Music Ed Insights ·

2025/03/24

Steve and Alan learn from Jenny Gee, a professor, researcher, and experienced music teacher, about effective classroom management techniques, especially in the post-pandemic environment. Gee shares practical advice and research-backed strategies that teachers can use to address behavior challenges, build relationships with students, and create engaging, safe learning environments.

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29:57

Does it hold up? Including Students with Special...

Music Ed Insights ·

2025/03/17

In this re-release, Alan and Steve revisit their conversation with Dr. Alice Hammel about how and why students with special needs can and should be included in music classes and ensembles. This episode remains one of the most impactful in Music Ed Insights history, offering practical strategies and a shift in mindset that can help every teacher create a more inclusive and effective learning environment. Whether you're hearing it for the first time or listening again, this discussion is full of

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29:33

Does it hold up? The Non-Competitive Ensemble, three...

Music Ed Insights ·

2025/03/10

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.

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17:46

Quick Pro Tip: Exploring the Pros and Cons of Loyalty...

Music Ed Insights ·

2025/03/03

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

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21:17

Quick Pro Tip: Selecting Quality Elementary...

Music Ed Insights ·

2025/02/24

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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05:32

Quick Pro Tip: Rethinking Your Ensemble’s Seating Chart

Music Ed Insights ·

2025/02/17

In this episode of Music Ed Insights, Alan and Steve introduce a second “rule” for music educators: Have a reason for what you do—and what you don’t do. They apply this idea to ensemble setup, exploring how different seating arrangements can improve balance, blend, and student engagement. Whether you teach band, choir, or orchestra, this episode offers fresh perspectives on getting the best sound from your group.

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29:03

Hip-Hop Integration with Kiran Vedula

Music Ed Insights ·

2025/02/10

Steve and Alan talk with musician, producer, educator, and founder of Hip Hop DNA Kiran Vedula about integrating hip-hop into the music classroom. Kiran shares practical strategies for teaching foundational hip-hop concepts like rhythm, layering, and improvisation, as well as tips for fostering creativity and collaboration with students. They discuss the cultural significance of hip-hop, sampling, and using technology like Soundtrap to make beats. Kiran also shares about his nonprofit Flutes at Dawn

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05:06

Quick Pro Tip: Use "In Order to Do My Best Work" to...

Music Ed Insights ·

2025/02/03

Alan shares a simple but powerful approach to improve collaboration: using the phrase “in order to do my best work.” Learn how this tactic can help you communicate needs effectively and reduce stress, whether working with colleagues, administrators, or students. This tip is valuable for all music educators—band, choir, orchestra, and general music teachers alike.

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26:04

Empowering Students in the Music Classroom with...

Music Ed Insights ·

2025/01/27

In this episode, Alan and Steve talk with educator, podcaster, speaker, and author Theresa Hoover about practical strategies for empowering students in music education. They explore ways to give students more ownership over their learning, including soliciting feedback, incorporating student-led activities, and encouraging creativity and composition. The conversation also covers common challenges and how to overcome them when implementing student-centered approaches. Whether you teach elementary

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11:54

Quick Pro Tip: Simplifying Copyright and Exploring...

Music Ed Insights ·

2025/01/20

Steve and Alan demystify common copyright misconceptions and introduce the ArrangeMe platform, a valuable resource for music educators. Learn how to legally arrange music for your groups, explore the benefits and limitations of ArrangeMe, and discover why copyright matters across band, orchestra, choir, and general music settings. Tune in for practical advice and insights that every music teacher can use.

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37:15

Expanding the Choral Canon: Marques Garrett on...

Music Ed Insights ·

2025/01/13

Steve and Alan talk with professor, author, composer, and choral director Marques Garrett about the importance of diversifying choral programming and elevating non-idiomatic works. Garrett shares fascinating personal experiences learning about the rich musical heritage within historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), where choirs have long championed non-idiomatic compositions by Black artists. Garrett discusses the challenges of broadening repertoire choices, the historical context

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30:40

Expanding the Choral Canon: Marques Garrett on...

Music Ed Insights ·

2025/01/06

Steve and Alan talk with professor, author, composer, and choral director Marques Garrett about the importance of diversifying choral programming and elevating non-idiomatic works. Garrett shares fascinating personal experiences learning about the rich musical heritage within historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), where choirs have long championed non-idiomatic compositions by Black artists. Garrett discusses the challenges of broadening repertoire choices, the historical context

en

14:48

2024 Year in Review

Music Ed Insights ·

2024/12/17

Steve and Alan talk about the past year and preview a bit of what’s coming up in early 2025.

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30:22

Keeping Ensembles in Time and in Tune

Music Ed Insights ·

2024/11/18

Alan and Steve talk to orchestra director Chris Selby about effective ways to improve musical clarity through intonation and rhythm.

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133 results

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