
6 episodes

Teaching Orchestra Podcast Janet Heinemann and Jessica Wahl
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- Education
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5.0 • 3 Ratings
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The Teaching Orchestra Podcast is hosted by Janet and Jessica, who are both public school orchestra teachers in Wisconsin. We discuss tips and tricks, best practice strategies, repertoire, and more. Occasionally we interview other professionals too. We aim to do this in an easy-to-listen-to and conversational format. If you're an orchestra teacher and want to learn ways to help your students even more, or just like to listen to fellow music teachers talk shop, then tune in!
For show notes and other links that we discuss in our episodes, go to our website, teachingorchestrapod.com.
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Episode 6 - Advocacy in Orchestra Education with Leyla Sanyer
Our friend and colleague Leyla Sanyer is our special guest in this episode, where she discusses her best practice strategies for advocating for orchestra education in our schools. Leyla often refers to her approach as "embedded advocacy;" this episode will help you learn strategies for effective communication with stakeholders.
As a retired orchestra teacher, former president of NAfME North Central Division, and WMEA advocacy committee member, Leyla continues to do great work as a tireless advocate for arts education at the state and national level. She also generously provided us with many advocacy resources, which are linked on the show notes for this episode at teachingorchestrapod.com. -
Episode 5 - Diversity in Orchestra Education with Stephen Spottswood
Public school orchestra classes are often perceived as elitist or "for white kids." One reason for this is because a symphony orchestra is a largely Euro-centric performing ensemble, performing music by dead white guys most of the time. How can we, as educators, help our BIPOC students see themselves as string players and move beyond the stereotype? We interviewed Stephen Spottswood, a Black orchestra educator and performer, for his perspective and some ideas for engaging our students' diverse cultural needs in the orchestra setting.
For show notes and references for this episode, see teachingorchestrapod.com. -
Episode 4 - Games for Group Instruction
Janet and Jessica share their ideas for orchestra games that energize and enhance the classroom and rehearsal setting. Why "gamification?" It's engaging while also improving your students' skills!
For show notes and references for this episode, see teachingorchestrapod.com. -
Episode 3 - Technique Tips and Tricks for Group Instruction
Do you ever feel like you have to remind kids constantly about technique in the classroom, and then feel discouraged that you're correcting more than playing? Do you feel like basic things like bow holds and posture just aren't retained between class meetings? Jessica and Janet share your frustration and discuss some solutions in this episode.
For show notes and references for this episode, see teachingorchestrapod.com. -
Episode 2: Kodaly in the orchestra classroom
Remember learning about general music education methods such as Orff, Gordon, and Dalcroze? What about Kodaly? In this episode, Janet unpacks the Kodaly approach, which is most commonly seen in choral and general music classrooms, and discusses ways to integrate it into your string orchestra classroom setting.
For show notes and references for this episode, see teachingorchestrapod.com. -
Episode 1: Recruitment and Retention - the backbone of your program
The "two J's" - Jessica and Janet - discuss the "two R's" - recruitment and retention! Material in this podcast is based on research journals as well as their own personal experiences.
For show notes and references for this episode, see teachingorchestrapod.com.