The Orchestra Teacher Podcast

Dr. Charles Laux
The Orchestra Teacher Podcast

A podcast designed for string and orchestra educators to learn from some of the best in the profession. Topics include string pedagogy, classroom management, program administration, assessment, current trends, work/life balance, and more.

  1. 82. Ben McWhorter, orchestra director at Tates Creek HS in Lexington, KY discusses his unique program including professional chamber music coaching, a peer tutoring program, and more.

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    82. Ben McWhorter, orchestra director at Tates Creek HS in Lexington, KY discusses his unique program including professional chamber music coaching, a peer tutoring program, and more.

    Ben McWhorter is the orchestra teacher at Tates Creek High School in Lexington, Kentucky. Known for his professional, engaging, and collaborative approach to teaching, Ben’s orchestras have consistently earned “Distinguished” ratings at district performance assessments during his 19 year tenure. In 2023, Ben implemented a middle school mentoring program, with high school orchestra musicians providing individual instruction to over 50 younger students. This has significantly increased student achievement at both schools and fostered a strong connection between the two programs. Ben secured a grant in 2024 to provide weekly professional chamber music coaching to over 30 of his students, leading to significant growth in their musicianship and fostering a strong sense of collaboration and ensemble. Ben is passionate about the transformative power of string education. He works to ensure that all students have access to orchestra instruction and a wide variety of musical experiences to develop their love of music. An active member of the string education community, Ben served as President of the Kentucky ASTA from 2012-2014 and as a member of the KMEA String Council from 2008-2012. During his tenure on the KMEA String Council, he played a key role in developing a new graded string orchestra list. He is a frequent presenter at state and national conferences, including the 2024 and upcoming 2025 ASTA Conferences. Ben holds a B.M. in Music Education from the University of Louisville and M.M.E. in Music Teacher Education from The Ohio State University. He also has received specialized training in the pedagogical practices of George Bornoff. His professional interests include strengthening music literacy, implementing learner-centered instruction, and utilizing effective assessment practices within the instrumental music classroom. Ben lives in Lexington with his wife, Hillary, their son Charlie, and their three cats. Ben can be reached at: Ben.mcwhorter@fayette.kyschools.us --- Please follow/like/subscribe to the podcast and YouTube channel or browse ideas and resources on my website! Website: http://www.orchestrateacher.net YouTube Channel: http://youtube.com/theorchestrateacher Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5pvAWs3uftZ5FJ2KyZYU0z Podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-orchestra-teacher-podcast/id1489358262 -- Referral Links: Looking for things on Amazon? Use my referral link: https://amzn.to/3RkfRLk Do you keep a monthly budget? If not, try You Need a Budget! It’s a great app/website that helps keep your finances on track. tinyurl.com/youneedabudgetnow Do you have cable? Cut the cord and check out YouTube TV! It works on mobile, Smart TVs, the web and more! https://tv.youtube.com/referral/r22irzcuy7jshi -- #TheOrchestraTeacherPodcast #MusicEducation #PodcastForTeachers #OrchestraPodcast #MusicTeacherLife #PodcastForEducators #StringTeacherPodcast #MusicEdPodcast #TeacherPodcast#OrchestraTeacher #StringEducation #OrchestraLife #StringPlayers #StringTeacherLife #OrchestraClass #TeachingStrings #MusicEd #TeachingMusic #StringsMatter

    54 min
  2. 81. Tom Chen talks about his program at Carmel High School, selecting repertoire, working with younger high school orchestras, and more.

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    81. Tom Chen talks about his program at Carmel High School, selecting repertoire, working with younger high school orchestras, and more.

    Thomas Chen is Director of Orchestras at Carmel High School in Carmel, Indiana. Under his direction, the Carmel High School Symphony Orchestra earned regular appearances at the Indiana State School Music Association State High School Concert Finals, produced a recording of Dvorak Symphony No. 9, and performed at The Midwest Clinic in 2019 and 2024. Chen previously held the position of Assistant Director at Dobie High School in Houston, Texas, where he helped lead five orchestras to earn Superior ratings at UIL Concert and Sight Reading. In addition to public school teaching, Chen is Associate Conductor with the Indianapolis Youth Orchestra’s Symphony Orchestra. Chen has performed as a guest conductor with the Purdue University Philharmonic and Symphony Orchestras, Carmel Symphony Orchestra, Ohio Wesleyan University Summer Music Camp, and Wright State University Fall Strings Festival. Chen earned his Bachelor of Music Education from DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, where he studied viola with Dr. Nicole Brockmann. While completing his studies, he earned opportunities to perform in masterclasses with the American String Quartet and Joan Tower. Chen is a proud member of the American String Teachers Association and National Association for Music Education. He currently serves as Orchestra Division Chair with the Indiana Music Education Association and President-Elect with the Indiana Chapter of the American String Teachers Association. ---- Please follow/like/subscribe to the podcast and YouTube channel or browse ideas and resources on my website! Website: http://www.orchestrateacher.net YouTube Channel: http://youtube.com/theorchestrateacher Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5pvAWs3uftZ5FJ2KyZYU0z Podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-orchestra-teacher-podcast/id1489358262 ---- Referral Links: Looking for things on Amazon? Use my referral link: https://amzn.to/3RkfRLk Do you keep a monthly budget? If not, try You Need a Budget! It’s a great app/website that helps keep your finances on track. tinyurl.com/youneedabudgetnow Do you have cable? Cut the cord and check out YouTube TV! It works on mobile, Smart TVs, the web and more! https://tv.youtube.com/referral/r22irzcuy7jshi

    56 min
  3. 80. Lauren Roznowski Hayden discusses her MS program with over 300 students!

    30/12/2024

    80. Lauren Roznowski Hayden discusses her MS program with over 300 students!

    This the LAST episode for 2024! Thank you for the support this year! A ton of great content coming your way in 2025! About episode #80... Lauren Roznowski Hayden works for Longfellow Middle School, as orchestra teacher to more than 315 students. She has been a public school teacher for over 17 years, teaching orchestra at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. She has taught in the Wauwatosa School District for six years, which as an alumna of the district herself, is a dream come true. Prior to her current position, Lauren worked as Director of Learning in Music for the Kettle Moraine School District, as well as teaching orchestra and interdisciplinary music-based seminars. Lauren is also a music director for the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra, serving as conductor of the Sinfonia Orchestra, an audition-based group made up of one hundred 4th-10th grade student musicians in Southeastern Wisconsin. Lauren has a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and Viola Performance from Lawrence University, and a Master of Music in Interdisciplinary Arts in Music Education from Northwestern University. She has maintained her National Board Certification in Music Education for more than ten years, and holds a principal license as well. In 2024, Lauren was honored with a Kohl Teaching Fellowship, and a Fulbright Distinguished Award in Teaching (DAST). As a Fulbrighter, Lauren collaborated with Victoriano Lopez Escuela de Musica, living and working in San Pedro Sula Honduras for six weeks in the summer of 2024. Lauren is a lifelong resident of Wauwatosa, WI, and lives there with her husband, Mike (also an orchestra teacher), and their two daughters. She is very involved in her community, serving as president of the Wauwatosa Library Board of Trustees, and leader of two Girl Scout Troops. In her free time, Lauren loves to travel with her family, and spend time outdoors kayaking, hiking, and camping. She also loves to read, cook, and paint. -- Subscribe to The Orchestra Teacher Website, YouTube Channel, and Podcast! Website: http://www.orchestrateacher.net YouTube Channel: http://youtube.com/theorchestrateacher Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5pvAWs3uftZ5FJ2KyZYU0z Podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-orchestra-teacher-podcast/id1489358262 -- Looking for things on Amazon? Use my referral link: https://amzn.to/3RkfRLk Do you keep a monthly budget? If not, try You Need a Budget! It’s a great app/website that helps keep your finances on track. tinyurl.com/youneedabudgetnow Do you have cable? Cut the cord and check out YouTube TV! It works on mobile, Smart TVs, the web and more! https://tv.youtube.com/referral/r22irzcuy7jshi

    31 min
  4. 79. Dr. Rachael Keplin discusses free improvisation and mindfulness and it's impact on string teaching and learning.

    08/12/2024

    79. Dr. Rachael Keplin discusses free improvisation and mindfulness and it's impact on string teaching and learning.

    In this episode, I sit down with the incredible Dr. Rachael Keplin—a versatile violist, string educator, and free improviser—for a deep dive into the world of free improvisation, mindfulness, and their transformative impact on learning to play stringed instruments.Dr. Keplin shares her unique approach to fostering creativity and connection through free improvisation, offering insights into how mindfulness can enhance student engagement and musical growth. Dr. Keplin shares a few practical classroom strategies for integrating these concepts into both group and studio teaching environments, making this episode a must-listen for educators looking to inspire their students in new and innovative ways.🎶 About Dr. Rachael KeplinDr. Keplin serves as Associate Principal for the Greensboro Symphony Orchestra and frequently performs with ensembles like the North Carolina Opera and North Charleston Pops. A passionate chamber musician, she co-founded the contemporary ensembles Chamber Brews and Sounding Board, championing new music and non-classical genres.Beyond performance, Rachael creates her own music using a Boss RC-600 loop station, performing solo looper shows throughout North Carolina. Recently awarded the ACGC Artist Grant, she’s currently producing her debut album. Her dissertation, Mindfulness and Free Improvisation, has been presented at national conferences, and she continues to integrate these practices into her teaching at Wake Forest University and The Music Academy of North Carolina.🎧 Tune in to learn how mindfulness and improvisation can transform your teaching and your students’ musical journeys! Watch on YouTube at https://youtu.be/nSGJHmQ6eAQ For more information visit https://www.orchestrateacher.net Read Dr. Keplin’s dissertation here: https://f051af03-d154-425f-bf90-05257cf0f8b0.filesusr.com/ugd/23e7a7_4a185ff0626c482890f9ed8f5c274cfc.pdf

    52 min
  5. 06/12/2024

    78. Special episode with alumni to discuss orchestra's impact on success in the real world!

    In this heartfelt episode, I reunite with three remarkable former Alpharetta High School Orchestra students—Jason Juang, Kacie Xie, and Sarang Pujari—as they share their orchestra journeys and how those experiences have shaped their collegiate years and budding careers. From concert stages to cutting-edge innovation, their stories highlight the transformative power of music education and the lifelong impact of creative collaboration. Jason Juang, a Georgia Tech alumnus and Henry Luce Scholar, is now a climate change researcher at the Delta Electronics Foundation in Taipei, Taiwan. A former cellist with 7 years of orchestra experience, Jason reminisces about his middle and high school music days and how impromptu college jam sessions with his roommate kept his love for music alive. Kaci Xie, a recent Yale graduate in Computing and the Arts and Education Studies, reflects on her time as a violist and how it fueled her passion for early childhood education and her involvement with the Yale Symphony Orchestra. Now the founder of Cimu, a startup helping fashion retailers reduce returns, Kacie shares how the discipline and creativity she cultivated in orchestra continue to inspire her entrepreneurial and educational endeavors. Sarang Pujari, a dual-degree recipient in Computer Science from Georgia Tech, recalls his rich musical background, including six years in All-State, performing with the Emory Youth Symphony Orchestra, and his time in Georgia Tech's Symphony Orchestra. Now a software engineer in Miami, Sarang discusses how his orchestra experience instilled teamwork and focus—skills he carries into his career in tech.Join us as we explore how their time in the orchestra prepared them for success, nurtured their passions, and created lifelong memories. Whether you're a music enthusiast, educator, or former performer, this episode celebrates the enduring influence of music education on personal and professional growth. 🎻✨Also watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/YnIvEhgDNXk For resources and more information visit https://www.orchestrateacher.net#OrchestraPodcast #MusicEducation #StringTeaching #OrchestraLife #studentsuccess #orchestraalumni #musiceducationmatters #StringsInspiration #ArtsEducation #MusicMatters

    1 h y 15 min
  6. 77. Conversation with Vinny Conrod, Orchestra Director at Innovation High School in Orlando, FL

    03/12/2024

    77. Conversation with Vinny Conrod, Orchestra Director at Innovation High School in Orlando, FL

    In episode #77 of The Orchestra Teacher Podcast, we are joined by Vinny Conrod, Director of Orchestras at Innovation High School in Orlando, FL, and President of the Florida chapter of the American String Teachers Association (ASTA). With years of experience teaching at both the middle and high school levels, Vinny shares his journey of opening a brand-new high school orchestra program, offering insights into the challenges and rewards of starting from scratch, building a strong program, and fostering a positive culture for both students and staff.Vinny has led orchestras to prestigious events such as the ASTA National Orchestra Festival, the Florida Music Education Association’s State Conference, and the Texas Music Educators Association State Conference. His passion for music education and his commitment to excellence have made him a standout figure in the field.Tune in for this exciting conversation and hear more about Vinny’s innovative approach to teaching, leadership, and growing a thriving orchestra program at a brand-new school.--About Vinny Conrod...Vinny Conrod is the Director of Orchestras at Innovation High School in Orlando, FL, and serves as President of the Florida ASTA chapter. Previously, Mr. Conrod taught Orchestra at Lake Nona High School (Orange County Public Schools - Orlando, FL), Doerre Intermediate School (Klein Independent School District - Houston, TX) and Avalon Middle School (Orange County Public Schools - Orlando, FL).Orchestras under Mr. Conrod’s direction have performed at the ASTA National Orchestra Festival, Florida Music Education Association's State Conference, and Texas Music Educators Association State Conference. Mr. Conrod holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education with a minor in Performing Arts Administration, and a Master’s of Arts in Music with a concentration in Orchestral Conducting from the University of Central Florida.#OrchestraPodcast #MusicEducation #StringTeaching #OrchestraLife #TeachingTips #TeacherVoices #StringPedagogy #CreativeTeachers #MusicTeacherTribe #ProfessionalDevelopment #OrchestraClassroom #OrchestraPodcast #MusicEducation #StringTeaching #TeacherInterviews #OrchestraTeacher #CreativeTeachers #ListenAndLearn

    35 min
  7. 76. Bob Phillips reflects on his teaching and career.

    25/11/2024

    76. Bob Phillips reflects on his teaching and career.

    In this episode of The Orchestra Teacher Podcast, I sit down with the legendary Bob Phillips, an innovator in string education, composer, and conductor, whose work has shaped the landscape of string music education. Known for his pioneering contributions to large group pedagogy and eclectic styles for strings, Bob has written over 25 book series and more than 225 published works for orchestras and bands, reaching thousands of students each year. Bob reflects on his remarkable career, which includes building a nationally recognized string program in Saline, MI, directing the internationally acclaimed Saline Fiddlers Philharmonic, and performing at venues like the White House and The Midwest Clinic. He shares his experiences as an educator, from teaching string students in the classroom to conducting youth symphonies and leading educational initiatives for organizations like the Great Lakes Music Camp. Throughout the conversation, Bob discusses the importance of diversity in repertoire, the role of eclectic music in fostering student engagement, and the strategies that made his programs thrive. He also shares insights on his long-standing work as a teacher trainer, clinician, and his passion for giving back to the music community. With a career spanning more than four decades, including numerous honors such as multiple "Teacher of the Year" awards, induction into the University of Michigan School of Music Hall of Fame, and the Distinguished Service Award from the American String Teachers Association, Bob Phillips is a true leader in music education. Join us for an inspiring discussion about the evolution of string education, the power of diverse musical styles, and the impact of passionate teaching on students' lives. Perfect for: Orchestra teachers, string educators, composers, conductors, and anyone interested in innovative approaches to music education and performance. #OrchestraTeacher#MusicEducation#OrchestraLife#TeachingMusic#StringEducation#OrchestraEducation#MusicTeachers#EducatorsOfInstagram#OrchestraDirector#MusicClassroom#StringsClass#TeachingStrings#MusicTeachersOfInstagram#YouthOrchestra#BandAndOrchestra#StringPedagogy#OrchestraCommunity#MusicTeacherLife

    51 min

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A podcast designed for string and orchestra educators to learn from some of the best in the profession. Topics include string pedagogy, classroom management, program administration, assessment, current trends, work/life balance, and more.

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