Pass the Baton: Empowering Students in Music Education, a Podcast for Music Teachers Theresa Hoover and Kathryn Finch, Music Educators

In Episode 67, the conversation centers on transformative approaches to student assessments. Angela Harman shares her journey from traditional to student-driven assessments, which involve students in both self-assessment and peer feedback processes. This method not only makes assessments more meaningful and manageable but also fosters a supportive learning environment where students are encouraged to be active participants in their own learning journey. The interview emphasizes practical strategies that music teachers can apply to shift the focus from mere grading to genuine student growth and learning progress.



Angela’s approach reflects a significant shift in educational practices, promoting student autonomy and a collaborative classroom atmosphere. These methods are not just about easing the teacher's burden but are crucial in helping students develop independence and critical skills necessary for their musical and personal development. The interview is rich with insights and real-life applications that are relevant to music educators looking to enhance their teaching methods and student engagement.



Connect with Angela and learn more:


Angela’s website: http://www.orchestraclassroom.com
Angela’s blog: http://orchestrateacher.blogspot.com
Instagram: @orchestra.teacher.life



Learn more about Pass the Baton:


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In Episode 66, Kathryn and Theresa continue their discussion with Alex Adams about the transformative role of songwriting in music education. Building on the foundation laid in Episode 65, Alex offers a deeper exploration into how songwriting can be a powerful medium for students to connect their personal experiences with the academic study of music. He emphasizes the importance of creating a music education environment that resonates with the cultural and individual identities of students, making learning both relevant and impactful. Throughout the interview, Alex not only shares his experiences and insights but also provides valuable resources and teaching strategies that educators can utilize to integrate songwriting into their curriculum. These resources aim to empower teachers to facilitate a more inclusive and expressive classroom, where students can harness their creativity to construct meaningful musical expressions. Alex’s narrative encapsulates a comprehensive view of music education, advocating for an approach that nurtures creativity, personal expression, and cultural inclusivity through the art of songwriting.

Connect with Alex and learn more:

website - http://mralexadams.com
resources: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1SRx6UP4_Lpb-iB_M3SBi5Cwdxb0CadQA?usp=drive_link

Learn more about Pass the Baton:

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In Episode 65, Kathryn and Theresa dive into the first part of an enlightening interview with Alex Adams, a seasoned music teacher with 15 years of experience in both private studio and public school teaching. Alex shares his unique journey from teaching in Maine to becoming a teaching artist with the Documentary Songwriters organization, and his current role as a graduate student at Arizona State University. He discusses the significance of integrating songwriting into music education, emphasizing the empowerment it brings to students by allowing them to express their personal experiences and imaginations through music. Alex highlights the importance of seeing oneself in the music curriculum, the role of creative freedom in songwriting, and the impact of music on building community and cultural understanding. He also addresses common misconceptions about songwriting and the importance of setting appropriate goals and expectations for students' creative outputs. Stay tuned for the second part of this insightful interview, where we'll continue exploring the transformative power of songwriting in education.

Connect with Alex and learn more about his work:


Website: http://mralexadams.com
Songwriting Resources: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1SRx6UP4_Lpb-iB_M3SBi5Cwdxb0CadQA?usp=drive_link

Learn more about Pass the Baton:


Pass the Baton website: www.passthebatonbook.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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In Episode 64, Kathryn and Theresa delve into the common pitfalls educators face in music education, emphasizing the importance of student ownership and engagement. The discussion navigates through the essential strategies for avoiding four key mistakes that can stifle student creativity and initiative. From the nuances of genuinely listening to student voices to the intricate balance of guiding creative activities, this episode serves as a beacon for educators striving to foster a more inclusive and dynamic learning environment. The insights shared are not only thought-provoking but also practical, offering listeners a roadmap to empower their students and transform the classroom into a hub of innovation and self-expression. Tune in to unravel the secrets to unlocking your students' potential and igniting their passion for music education. 

Other interviews mentioned in this episode: 


Episode 53, with Shane Colquhoun 
Episode 3, with Laura Johnson
Episode 13, with Sonya Knussen 
Episode 14, with Robby Burns
Episode 27, with Scott Edgar

Learn more about Pass the Baton:


Pass the Baton website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.passthebatonbook.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Support Pass the Baton: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.buymeacoffee.com/passthebaton⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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In episode 63, Kathryn and Theresa talk to Angela Ammerman, a music educator in Northern Virginia. Angela discusses innovative recruitment strategies for music programs, emphasizing the critical role of student and community involvement in building and sustaining vibrant music education environments. Highlighting her own experiences and insights from her book, "The Music Teachers Guide to Recruitment and Retention," Angela shares effective tactics such as utilizing student-led concerts, leveraging favorite teachers to attract more students, and creating visual enrollment goals to motivate and engage current students in the recruitment process.



Connect with Angela and learn more about her work:


Website: http://www.angelaammerman.com
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/musicteachersguide
The Music Teacher's Guide to Recruitment and Retention: https://giamusic.com/resource/the-music-teacher-s-guide-to-recruitment-and-retention-book-10882
The Music Teacher's Guide to Engaging English Language Learners: https://giamusic.com/resource/the-music-teachers-guide-to-engaging-english-language-learners-book-g10665
Pass the Baton Episode 24: https://youtu.be/-rgpw3fzsFY



Learn more about Pass the Baton:


Pass the Baton website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.passthebatonbook.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Support Pass the Baton: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.buymeacoffee.com/passthebaton⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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In Episode 62, Kathryn and Theresa talk to Kathleen Jacoby, a high school band director in Fairfax, Virginia. Kathleen’s teaching philosophy revolves around student ownership and engagement in the music program, drawing from her own experiences in a small band program where every member's contribution was vital. She shares innovative strategies she employs to involve students in decision-making processes, such as selecting pieces and contributing to rehearsal methods. The interview delves into her approach to empowering students by fostering a sense of community, responsibility, and critical listening skills. Kathleen’s methods aim to develop not just musical skills but also life skills like leadership, collaboration, and independent thinking. She is dedicated to making music education a transformative experience for students, ensuring that it contributes positively to their overall growth and development.

Connect with Kathleen and learn more:


https://bdtoolkit.weebly.com/
https://www.facebook.com/BDToolkit

Learn more about Pass the Baton:


Pass the Baton website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.passthebatonbook.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Support Pass the Baton: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.buymeacoffee.com/passthebaton⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Amplify student voice with Exit Tickets for Self Reflection! Download for free now: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/f8l7g9