The Crescendo Music Education Podcast

Debbie O'Shea
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Courses
  • Updated Biweekly

Supporting, connecting and inspiring music educators.

  1. Finding Purpose in Music Education with Chris Munce (Part 2) | 189

    3d ago

    Finding Purpose in Music Education with Chris Munce (Part 2) | 189

    Welcome back to Crescendo Chat. This is Part 2 of my conversation with Chris Munce from Choralosophy. In Part 1, Chris shared his journey through choral education and unpacked the deeper philosophy behind why music — and especially singing together — matters so much in the lives of young people. In this episode, we move into the practical side of teaching while still keeping that big-picture lens front and centre. Chris shares insights on assessment, rehearsal priorities, student engagement, and how teachers can maintain joy and meaning in the classroom, even when time and resources feel limited. We also explore inclusion, human diversity, and how music educators can build classroom cultures where every child feels valued and connected. One of the things I love most about this conversation is how honest and thoughtful it feels. Chris challenges us to think more deeply about what we teach, why we teach it, and what students truly carry with them long after they leave our classrooms. If you’ve ever needed encouragement to step back, reconnect with your purpose, and remember why music education matters, this episode will really speak to you. So, let’s jump back in with Chris. Connect with Chris:  WebsitePodcastWhere to find me:  Crescendo Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/crescendocommunity Official Crescendo Page: https://www.facebook.com/CrescendoMusicEd/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/CrescendoMusicEd Twitter: https://twitter.com/crescendomusic LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbie-o-shea-62a3741b/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/CrescendoDeb Support the show

    37 min
  2. Finding Purpose in Music Education with Chris Munce (Part 1) | 188

    May 31

    Finding Purpose in Music Education with Chris Munce (Part 1) | 188

    Today on Crescendo Chat, I’m joined by Chris Munce — choral conductor, educator, and host of Choralosophy, one of the world’s top music education podcasts and a leading voice in global choral education. Chris has spent more than 20 years as a choral director at Lee's Summit High School. He also directs Kantorei KC, a professional choir based in Kansas City. Alongside that work, he’s built Choralosophy into a space where educators explore the philosophy, purpose, and humanity behind music education. In this first part of our conversation, we dive into Chris’s story. We talk about the experiences that shaped him as a conductor, teacher, and communicator. We also explore why he started Choralosophy and what he’s learned from speaking with some of the world’s leading thinkers in choral music and education. This episode goes beyond rehearsal strategies and warmups. It asks bigger questions. Why does choral music matter? What does singing together do for young people? And how do we hold onto purpose when teaching starts to feel overwhelming? Chris has a way of connecting philosophy with practical teaching in a deeply thoughtful and accessible way. So whether you teach choir, classroom music, or simply care about helping students grow through music, there is so much here to reflect on. Connect with Chris:  WebsitePodcastWhere to find me:  Crescendo Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/crescendocommunity Official Crescendo Page: https://www.facebook.com/CrescendoMusicEd/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/CrescendoMusicEd Twitter: https://twitter.com/crescendomusic LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbie-o-shea-62a3741b/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/CrescendoDeb Support the show

    35 min
  3. Why Story Matters in Music Education with Kate Albury (Part 2) | 187

    May 24

    Why Story Matters in Music Education with Kate Albury (Part 2) | 187

    Welcome back to Crescendo Chat. This is Part 2 of my conversation with Kate Albury. In Part 1, Kate shared her journey as a choral educator and unpacked the power of storytelling in helping students connect to music in authentic and lasting ways. In this episode, we turn toward the bigger picture of music education within school culture. Kate shares practical insights from her work at Brisbane Boys' College, where she bridges classroom learning with co-curricular music programs and broader creative opportunities across the school community. We talk about advocacy, collaboration, and why music should never sit on the edges of school life. Kate also shares thoughtful ideas around engaging reluctant singers, combining art forms, and helping students feel a genuine sense of belonging through music-making. There’s so much in this conversation for primary music teachers — especially if you’ve ever tried to build something meaningful with limited time, limited resources, and a big vision for what music can do in a child’s life. Let’s jump back in with Kate. Connect with Kate:  Email - Where to find me:  Crescendo Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/crescendocommunity Official Crescendo Page: https://www.facebook.com/CrescendoMusicEd/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/CrescendoMusicEd Twitter: https://twitter.com/crescendomusic LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbie-o-shea-62a3741b/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/CrescendoDeb Support the show

    32 min
  4. Why Story Matters in Music Education with Kate Albury (Part 1) | 186

    May 17

    Why Story Matters in Music Education with Kate Albury (Part 1) | 186

    Today on Crescendo Chat, I’m joined by Kate Albury — choral conductor, adjudicator, workshop presenter, and a passionate advocate for creating meaningful musical experiences for young people. Kate is currently the Head of Co-Curricular — Culture and Enrichment Programs at Brisbane Boys' College, where she works across music, culture, and student life to build communities where students feel connected, creative, and seen. Her work stretches far beyond one school setting. Kate has contributed to programs including the State Honours Ensemble Program and the National Gondwana Choral School, and in 2026 she’ll lead the Treble Strand at the Pemulwuy! National Male Voices Festival. In this first part of our conversation, we explore Kate’s journey into choral education, the moments that shaped her as a conductor, and the people who helped influence her philosophy around music, belonging, and student connection. We also dive into one of Kate’s great passions: storytelling in choral music. How do we help students connect emotionally to repertoire? How do we make singing feel alive, meaningful, and relevant for young people? Whether you lead a choir, teach classroom music, or simply want students to engage more deeply in your lessons, there is so much wisdom packed into this conversation. Connect with Kate:  Email - Where to find me:  Crescendo Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/crescendocommunity Official Crescendo Page: https://www.facebook.com/CrescendoMusicEd/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/CrescendoMusicEd Twitter: https://twitter.com/crescendomusic LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbie-o-shea-62a3741b/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/CrescendoDeb Support the show

    32 min
  5. Music That Heals: Sean Martin on Trauma, Resilience & Creative Courage (Part 2) | 185

    May 10

    Music That Heals: Sean Martin on Trauma, Resilience & Creative Courage (Part 2) | 185

    Welcome back to Crescendo Chat. This is Part 2 of my conversation with Sean Martin from The Quarantined. In Part 1, Sean shared his journey—how his experiences as a musician and veteran shaped his voice, his purpose, and his connection to music as something far deeper than performance. In this episode, we go further. We dive into what music can offer young people who are struggling. We talk about creative courage—what it looks like to build something from nothing, even when the path feels uncertain. And we explore how honesty, authenticity, and storytelling can transform a music classroom into a space where students feel seen. Sean also shares what he wishes more adults would say to young people about hard things—and what music teachers can do, even in small ways, to make a lasting impact. There’s a lot in this conversation. It’s real, it’s thoughtful, and it speaks directly to the heart of why music matters. Let’s jump back in. Connect with Sean:  Website - https://www.thequarantined.com/FacebookTikTokWhere to find me:  Crescendo Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/crescendocommunity Official Crescendo Page: https://www.facebook.com/CrescendoMusicEd/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/CrescendoMusicEd Twitter: https://twitter.com/crescendomusic LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbie-o-shea-62a3741b/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/CrescendoDeb Support the show

    40 min
  6. Music That Heals: Sean Martin on Trauma, Resilience & Creative Courage (Part 1) | 184

    May 3

    Music That Heals: Sean Martin on Trauma, Resilience & Creative Courage (Part 1) | 184

    Today on Crescendo Chat, I’m joined by Sean Martin — singer, guitarist, and producer behind The Quarantined. Sean brings a perspective we don’t often hear on this podcast. He’s not a music educator. Instead, he’s a working musician, an Iraq War veteran, and a passionate advocate for mental health and creative authenticity. Through his work with The Quarantined, Sean creates music that doesn’t hold back. His songs dive into real-life experiences—trauma, resilience, identity, and what it means to navigate the world today. That honesty has connected with a global audience, with hundreds of thousands of streams and millions of views across platforms. But what makes this conversation especially powerful for us as educators is this: Sean understands, deeply, how music can carry people through the things they don’t yet have words for. In this first part of our conversation, we explore Sean’s story—his journey through music, military service, and the moments that shaped who he is today. We also begin unpacking how music becomes a tool for processing life, not just performing it. As you listen, think about your own students. The ones who walk into your classroom carrying more than they can say. This conversation might just shift how you see the role of music in their lives. Connect with Sean:  Website - https://www.thequarantined.com/FacebookTikTokWhere to find me:  Crescendo Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/crescendocommunity Official Crescendo Page: https://www.facebook.com/CrescendoMusicEd/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/CrescendoMusicEd Twitter: https://twitter.com/crescendomusic LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbie-o-shea-62a3741b/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/CrescendoDeb Support the show

    28 min
  7. How to Build Deep Musicianship in Students with Ken Thompson (Part 3) | 183

    Apr 26

    How to Build Deep Musicianship in Students with Ken Thompson (Part 3) | 183

    In this final part of my conversation with Ken Thompson, we move into the heart of what music education is really about — students, impact, and advocacy. Building on our earlier discussions around musicianship and teaching practice, this episode highlights real stories from the studio that show how meaningful musical growth happens over time. Through these examples, Ken reveals what truly motivates students and why a long-term approach matters. From there, we shift into practical takeaways for teachers. You’ll hear Ken’s Nuggets of Fabulous, where he shares simple but powerful changes music educators can make right away, along with common teaching traps to avoid. Finally, the conversation turns to advocacy in music education. Ken offers honest, encouraging advice for teachers navigating today’s challenges and shares one clear action you can take this week to support your program and your students. To wrap up, his soapbox moment delivers a powerful message every music educator needs to hear. Let’s jump into the final part of this conversation. Connect with Ken:  Website - MACSAinc.com Email - KThompson@MACSAinc.com  Instagram - @Ken.CreativeCoach Where to find me:  Crescendo Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/crescendocommunity Official Crescendo Page: https://www.facebook.com/CrescendoMusicEd/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/CrescendoMusicEd Twitter: https://twitter.com/crescendomusic LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbie-o-shea-62a3741b/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/CrescendoDeb Support the show

    30 min
  8. How to Build Deep Musicianship in Students with Ken Thompson (Part 2) | 182

    Apr 19

    How to Build Deep Musicianship in Students with Ken Thompson (Part 2) | 182

    Welcome back to part two of my conversation with Ken Thompson, advanced piano coach and founder of the Musical Arts Center of San Antonio. After exploring his journey and teaching philosophy in part one, this episode shifts into practical application. Specifically, we unpack what it means to teach for deep musicianship, not just surface-level success. Throughout this conversation, Ken shares how teachers can help students move beyond simply following instructions and instead develop independence, creativity, and musical understanding. In addition, we explore how to balance technical skill, expression, and motivation in both private lessons and broader music settings. Importantly, we connect these ideas directly to the music classroom and ensemble teaching. Ken offers clear insights into how classroom teachers can foster the same depth of thinking, even with limited time and larger groups. For anyone teaching general music, choir, band, or piano, this episode offers practical strategies and mindset shifts that can transform how students engage with music. Let’s jump back into the conversation. Connect with Ken:  Website - MACSAinc.com Email - KThompson@MACSAinc.com  Instagram - @Ken.CreativeCoach Where to find me:  Crescendo Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/crescendocommunity Official Crescendo Page: https://www.facebook.com/CrescendoMusicEd/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/CrescendoMusicEd Twitter: https://twitter.com/crescendomusic LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbie-o-shea-62a3741b/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/CrescendoDeb Support the show

    32 min
See All (192)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Supporting, connecting and inspiring music educators.

Information

You Might Also Like