The Crescendo Music Education Podcast

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

Supporting, connecting and inspiring music educators.

  1. 4d ago

    Better Together: The Power of Collaboration in Music Education | 209

    Great music teaching rarely happens in isolation. Behind the lessons, resources, performances, and professional learning are often conversations, shared ideas, and colleagues who challenge us to keep going. In this episode, Debbie O’Shea and Deb Brydon join Carrie and Tanya on the Music Teacher Coffee Talk Podcast to talk about the power of collaboration in music education. Debbie and Deb share how their working partnership developed and what it really looks like behind the scenes. From planning lessons and creating assessment tasks to presenting together and organising Together Sing, they have learned how to use each other’s strengths, challenge each other’s thinking, and occasionally keep each other on track! They also reflect on the work they are most proud of, the value of having someone beside you when the work gets difficult, and why collaboration can make us stronger and more effective educators. Whether you have a trusted teaching partner or often find yourself doing it all alone, this conversation is a reminder that we don’t have to do our best work by ourselves. Songs, rhymes, and books mentioned in this episode: My Good Old ManThe Skeleton ClockSing Around AustraliaConnect with Tanya and Carrie:  Music Teacher Coffee Talk Podcast 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

    Better Together: The Power of Collaboration in Music Education | 209

  2. Oct 18

    Building a Joyful Music Program from the Ground Up with Melissa Stouffer | 208

    Welcome back to the Crescendo Music Education Podcast. I’m Debbie O’Shea. Today, we’re continuing my conversation with Melissa Stouffer from Mrs. Stouffer’s Music Room. In Part 1, Melissa shared her love of using children’s books in the music classroom. We explored the many ways stories can support musical learning, creativity, and connection. In Part 2, we get to know more of Melissa’s story as a music educator. Melissa has taught general music, choir, and band. She has also experienced the challenges of teaching on a cart with no budget. Despite those limitations, she built a middle school music program from the ground up. We talk about what she learned from that experience and how Kodály has shaped her approach to music education. We also explore student-led learning and Melissa’s belief that everyone is musical. Finally, we talk about finding ways to save time, protect your energy, and keep the joy in teaching. Let’s jump back into my conversation with Melissa. Links Mentioned in the Episode: Website - https://mrsstouffersmusicroom.com/Book ListPraise Notes for StudentsConnect with Melissa:  FacebookInstagramTikTokYouTubeWhere 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

    Building a Joyful Music Program from the Ground Up with Melissa Stouffer | 208

  3. Oct 11

    Bringing Music to Life Through Children’s Books with Melissa Stouffer | 207

    Welcome to the Crescendo Music Education Podcast. I’m Debbie O’Shea, and I’m so glad you’re here. Today, I’m joined by Melissa Stouffer from Mrs. Stouffer’s Music Room. Melissa is a music educator, resource creator, and Kodály-certified teacher. She has taught students from infancy through middle school. She’s also passionate about helping busy music teachers find practical ideas that work in real classrooms. In Part 1 of our conversation, we focus on one of Melissa’s favourite teaching tools: children’s books. Melissa shares creative ways to use books in the elementary music classroom. We talk about books that introduce musical concepts, inspire composition and creativity, connect with songs, and bring lessons together. We also explore how the right book can create meaningful connections between music and other areas of learning. Melissa has even created The Ultimate Music Ed Book List to help teachers discover books they can use in their own classrooms. If you love using stories to bring music lessons to life—or you’re looking for a simple way to get started—you’ll find plenty of ideas in this conversation. Let’s get started. Links Mentioned in the Episode: Website - https://mrsstouffersmusicroom.com/Book ListPraise Notes for StudentsConnect with Melissa:  FacebookInstagramTikTokYouTubeWhere 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

    Bringing Music to Life Through Children’s Books with Melissa Stouffer | 207

  4. Oct 4

    Making Music Matter: Practical Ideas and Advocacy for Primary Music Education with Mark Taylor | 206

    Welcome back to the Crescendo Music Education Podcast. I’m Debbie O’Shea. Today, we’re continuing my conversation with musician, educator, and Education on Fire podcast host Mark Taylor. In Part 1, Mark shared his journey from discovering percussion at school to becoming a professional musician, educator, and podcaster. Now, we turn our attention to the music classroom. Mark shares practical ideas for making music part of everyday life in primary schools. We explore how rhythm and percussion can help teachers reach every child. We also discuss what Mark has learned from more than 500 conversations with educators from around the world. Then, we tackle a topic close to both our hearts: music education advocacy. What does music need from teachers, school leaders, and policy-makers? And how can individual music teachers help champion the value of music in their own schools? Mark brings plenty of practical ideas, experience, and encouragement to this conversation. Let’s jump back in. 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

    Making Music Matter: Practical Ideas and Advocacy for Primary Music Education with Mark Taylor | 206

  5. Sep 27

    From Percussion to Podcasting: Finding Your Path Through Music with Mark Taylor | 205

    Welcome to the Crescendo Music Education Podcast. I’m Debbie O’Shea, and I’m so glad you’re here. Today, I’m joined by fellow podcaster, musician, and educator Mark Taylor. Mark is a professional percussionist with more than 25 years of experience. He’s also the Vice Chair of the National Association for Primary Education in the UK. And he’s the founder and host of the Education on Fire podcast, which has now shared more than 500 conversations with educators from around the world. Mark believes children need opportunities to discover what they love. Music played an important role in helping him discover his own path. In Part 1 of our conversation, we go back to where it all began. Mark shares how a school music programme introduced him to percussion and opened a world of possibilities. We talk about his career as a professional musician, his journey into education, and what inspired him to start podcasting. We also explore the teachers, mentors, and experiences that shaped his life along the way. There’s so much to unpack in Mark’s story, so let’s get started. 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

    From Percussion to Podcasting: Finding Your Path Through Music with Mark Taylor | 205

  6. Sep 20

    Building Community and Advocating for Music Education | 204

    Welcome back to the Crescendo Music Education Podcast. If you haven't listened to Part 1 of my conversation with Michael Jones, I encourage you to go back and start there. We explored Michael's journey into music education and the experiences that have shaped his career. In Part 2, we continue the conversation. We dive into building strong music programmes, creating professional communities, and advocating for music education in our schools. Michael also shares practical advice for classroom teachers, leadership insights, and his vision for the future of music education. As always, you'll leave this episode with ideas you can apply in your own classroom and fresh inspiration for the important work you do every day. Let's jump back into my conversation with Michael Jones. 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

    Building Community and Advocating for Music Education | 204

  7. Sep 13

    Creating Opportunity Through Music Education | 203

    Welcome to the Crescendo Music Education Podcast. I'm Debbie O'Shea, and I'm so glad you're here. Today, I'm joined by Michael Jones. Michael is the Director of Music at Villanova College in Queensland. He's also the Artistic Director of the Queensland Catholic Colleges' and Schools' Music Festival and the founder of both the Queensland Catholic Music Education Conference and the Catholic Music Directors' Network. Michael has spent more than 20 years creating opportunities for young people through music. He's built music programmes, led festivals, and connected music educators across Queensland. In Part 1 of our conversation, we explore Michael's journey into music education. We talk about the teachers and experiences that shaped him, the importance of creating opportunities for students, and why accessible, quality music education matters for every child. Whether you teach in a primary classroom, direct an ensemble, or simply want to inspire young musicians, you'll find plenty of ideas and encouragement in this conversation. Let's get started. 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

    Creating Opportunity Through Music Education | 203

  8. Sep 6

    Tried & True: 2 MORE Rhythm Games | 202

    Welcome to the podcast! I'm Debbie O'Shea, and I'm so glad you've joined me. This podcast is all about supporting, encouraging, and inspiring music educators with practical ideas you can use in your classroom straight away. Whether you're a beginning teacher or have years of experience, my hope is that each episode leaves you with something new to try and reminds you why music education is such a rewarding profession. Today, we're talking about one of my favourite teaching tools: rhythm games. Over the years, I've discovered that some activities come and go, but there are a handful of rhythm games that I return to time and time again because they never fail to engage students and build real musical understanding. They're simple to set up, adaptable for different year levels, and, best of all, students absolutely love them. In this episode, I'll share four of my go-to rhythm games, explain how they work, and talk about why they've earned a permanent place in my teaching toolkit. We'll explore how these games help students develop a steady beat, improve rhythmic accuracy, strengthen listening skills, and build confidence—all while having fun. Whether you're looking for a warm-up, a transition activity, an informal assessment, or simply a new way to reinforce rhythm concepts, I hope you'll come away with an idea you can use in your very next lesson. So, let's get started and dive into some rhythm games that work every time. 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

    Tried & True: 2 MORE Rhythm Games | 202
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Supporting, connecting and inspiring music educators.

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