Best Choral Singing Podcasts (2024)

1
Episode 214: Church to School- Gospel in Academia with Dr. Emorja Roberson

4h ago

—

For those who sing Black Sacred music, “it is The Academy of the Black Church that taught us.”-Emorja Roberson. To see if you are a convincing performer of this art form, go to a Black Church and sing it. See how they receive you. In this episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Dr. Emorja Roberson, the first African American DMA in Choral …

1
20} Project 2025 34:24

2d ago34:24

34:24

our guest's website: www://karriegaspard.com https://sacrednine.com Sacred Nine's satire of Christian NationalismBy Leonard Raybon

1
Eamonn's Partsong Fetish 1:04:47

4h ago1:04:47

1:04:47

As a gentle welcome back, therapy is provided for Eamonn's partsong fetish with Eamonn himself, Robert and also some wine. TRACKLISTING : (1) Elgar - The Prince of Sleep; Cambridge University Chamber Choir / Christopher Robinson (2) Elgar - Go Song of mine; Finzi Singers / Paul Spicer (3) Schubert - An die Sonne; Monteverdi Choir / Malcolm Bilson /…

1
Episode 213: A Back to School Focus From the Convention Floor

7d ago

—

It’s Labor Day weekend. We are almost all back to school. This is the time that makes or breaks your whole school year. This summer I got a booth at the Missouri Choral Directors conference and pulled colleagues in to share their thoughts. Why are adolescent boys so turned off by choir? How important is music reading for All State choir? Should maj…

1
Episode 212: Wrestling With Tradition with Craig Hella Johnson

14d ago

—

The “Choral Music Canon” is one of the many concepts that I believe can only be grappled with if we are able to hold two conflicting truths in mind. It is crucial for us to hold great art in high esteem, while recognizing that we won’t all agree on what makes the list. Renowned American choral director Craig Hella Johnson joins me this week to give…

1
Episode 211: Smashing Cultural Barriers in Classical Music with Babatunde Akinboboye-Audio Only 1:03:05

22d ago1:03:05

1:03:05

Having some very weird tech issues today. Shownotes from normal post Known online as Babatunde “Hip Hopera,” this week’s guest may look like he is just out there having fun on TikTok. But, a closer look shows an artist doing innovative, and incredibly important work bridging the gaps between musical worlds. From West Coast hip-hop fan to opera sing…

1
Episode 211: Smashing Cultural Barriers in Classical Music with Babatunde Akinboboye

22d ago

—

Known online as Babatunde “Hip Hopera,” this week’s guest may look like he is just out there having fun on TikTok. But, a closer look shows an artist doing innovative, and incredibly important work bridging the gaps between musical worlds. From West Coast hip-hop fan to opera singer, this week’s guest Babtunde Akinboboye‘s journey is a fusion of ge…

1
Episode 210: Jazz and Theory in the Choral Classroom with David von Kampen

30d ago

—

Should vocal jazz join other forms of ensemble singing in the “mainstream” of music education? Or does best fit within a niche? In our second episode of the brand new “GIA/Walton” series, I am excited to bring you another fascinating and useful conversation. This time, with composer and vocal jazz advocate, David von Kampen. In this discussion, we …

1
19} Sing Me, Sing Me Not (part 2) 25:37

1M ago25:37

25:37

In 2021, after having virtually eliminated the singing of Spirituals from my career, I decided to take a deep dive, asking African American scholars and performers their thoughts on whites singing Spirituals. Original presentation videoBy Leonard Raybon

1
Episode 209: Research vs. Reality with Ellie Johnson

1M ago

—

I find that too often, as practicing teachers we either ignore new research all together, or we read the boiler plate summary, take it as gospel and move on without examining it critically. Ellie Johnson tries to help us thread the needle. Ellie is a PhD Music Education candidate and researcher, and the host of The Merfy Pod. She loves to dive in t…

1
Episode 208: Choir is Not my Family, Do I Still Belong? With Dr. Jason Dungee

1M ago

—

Often in choral instruction, we utilize the word “family” to describe the cohesiveness of our ensembles. But what about the students who don’t view choir as their family? Can we be ok with the idea that singers come to us for many different reasons? But what happens when students DON’T want to be in the family? What if you have students that truly …

1
Summer Playlist 57:55

22d ago57:55

57:55

Eamonn & Robert 'get French' but also enjoy Echo Ensemble's new CD 'Innocence' and drop into the York Early Music Festival. Music by Machaut, Ravel, Anna Rocławska-Musiałczyk & anon LINKS : www.tenebrae-choir.com/learning-connection/classroom-singing thesixteen.com/freevideos/eamonns-top-tips-creating-space/ www.echo-choir.com/innocence www.apotrop…

1
Episode 207: Next Gen Music Education with Mak Barton

2M ago

—

I frequently engage in and read discussions with young music educators about the ways in which the music education profession is or is not “adapting with the times.” As always, the answer to that is yes. And no… Mak Barton is a second year teacher in Maryland who I found on her wildly entertaining TikTok account that is fast approaching 100k follow…

1
Completorium - Feria Sexta - we sing Compline at home 18:14

1M ago18:14

18:14

Roman Compline as described in the Liber Usualis.Download your copy of our book here:https://compline.brandt.id.au/

1
Episode 206: Building Enduring Classroom Culture with Dr. Kari Adams

2M ago

—

As teachers, we often try to build culture and foster a sense of belonging by seeking out the “right checklist” of games, ice breakers, fun warm-ups, and even classroom wall art. However, these are just the frosting, not the cake. In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Kari Adams from the University of Missouri to discuss the essential ingredients for…

1
In a Kentish churchyard 54:44

1M ago54:44

54:44

Robert is in rural Kent, just down the road from Canterbury Cathedral, chatting with back row singers from three cathedrals including WINCHESTER. He also remembers the Nigel Perrin, top line of the original Kings Singers, with Nigel's colleague Alastair Hume. TRACKS : (1) Gabrieli Jackson - Sancte Deus; Canterbury Cathedral Choir / David Newsholme …

1
18} Sing Me, Sing Me Not (part 1) 20:26

2M ago20:26

20:26

In 2021, after having virtually eliminated the singing of Spirituals from my career, I decided to take a deep dive, asking African American scholars and performers their thoughts on whites singing Spirituals. Original presentation videoBy Leonard Raybon

1
Episode 205: Teaching Our Choirs to Listen with James Jordan

2M ago

—

“If you don’t learn what listening is, your choirs will never sing in tune.” James Jordan is one of the most prolific choral conductors in the modern era. Not just in terms of performance and recordings, but also in scholarship and pedagogy. Introducing, the NEW GIA/Walton Series on Choralosophy! I recently had the privilege of attending two sessio…

1
Episode 204: Literacy Live Hive Mind (Highlights with the Community)

2M ago

—

Recently, we offered a free virtual meetup to practice “Choir Nerdery.” If you missed it, I have carefully curated some of the most useful and interesting moments for this episode. Discussion topics were derived from survey responses from 120 educators. The full 2 hour and 15 minute work session is available unedited over at Patreon or Substack for…

1
Fork Antatas 43:26

2M ago43:26

43:26

Eamon and Nicholas bring you some of their favourite Bach Cantatas. TRACKS : (1) Johann Sebastian Bach - Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen, BWV 12: II. Chorus "Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen"; Collegium Vocale Gent / Philippe Herreweghe - Listen on Apple Music https://apple.co/3XC892h (2) Johann Sebastian Bach - Nun ist das Heil und die Kraft, BWV 50: N…

1
Episode 203: Programming as Storytelling with Donald Nally

3M ago

—

“It is not my job to answer the questions. It’s my job to ask the questions.” Programming for our choirs carries with it a wide range of challenges, from the skill levels of our groups, and their needs to the considerations of speaking to an audience. There are many ways to wrestle with this balance. Renowned conductor of the Crossing Donald Nally …

1
Episode 202: Excluded in the Name of Inclusion with Michal Dawson Connor

3M ago

—

“I cannot believe I’ve been muzzled by my own people.” All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena, CA cancelled a concert that was set for June 2nd, 2024 citing the “pain and anguish felt by 18 Black members of the church.” The response was that Michal and the choir, and the music they were set to perform from the African American cultural and musical…

1
Cuba Marta Londra 1:03:53

3M ago1:03:53

1:03:53

Robert chats to Sammy about his new album of Monteverdi / Purcell and songs from South America 'De pasión mortal' and learns about the history and music of the Clergy Support Trust's May festival. Also a development with the 'Music & Pregnancy' episode. Listen to De pasión mortal by Nicholas Mulroy on Apple Music https://apple.co/3wZ1gNB Support th…

1
Episode 201: Music is Movement with Mark Changizi

3M ago

—

The scientific consensus is that our ability to understand human speech has evolved over hundreds of thousands of years. After all, there are whole portions of the brain devoted to human speech. We learn to understand speech before we can even walk, and can seamlessly absorb enormous amounts of information simply by hearing it. Surely we evolved th…

1
17} Introducing Hannah Hadassah Hickok

3M ago

—

Get to know Hannah Hadassah Hickok Smith with me. A fascinating woman and worthy of song! I will develop a Sacred Nine Project about her "if I live," as she would say! Check out Sacred Nine Project: The Mending Sampler, which is referenced in this episode. Check out the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History & the Historical Society of Glastonbu…

1
Episode 200: Expanding the Boundaries of Choral Music with Katerina Gimon

3M ago

—

Standard music notation that is now used ubiquitously around the world does some things really well. But it also has limitation. Katerina Gimon is a composer who is actively working to dream up new ways to use notation to communicate sound ideas to musicians that expand our written music vocabulary. Katerina first exploded onto the choral scene in …

1
What is new music anyway? 1:04:40

3M ago1:04:40

1:04:40

What is new music? And new when? How tricky does it get for singers? Can composers hear what they write? Could they in 1375? Fascinating discussion with composer James Weeks and Lucy Goddard of Exaudi Vocal Ensemble which has attempted the parts other ensembles daren't reach! TRACKS : (1) Michael Finnissy - Tom Fool's Wooing; Exaudi Vocal Ensemble …

1
Episode 199: Singing Alone, “The Boogey Man in the Closet” 29:54

4M ago29:54

29:54

Standard #1 from NAfME is the best one I think. “Singing alone AND in small groups a varied repertoire of music.” It is of course, crucial in vocal and general music. But it’s value is also present in instrumental focused courses as well. In this return of “Car Thoughts” I will take you through a short explanation of how I conceive of individual si…

1
Episode 198: Beating the Odds Through Choral Music with Steven Hankle

4M ago

—

“Because of music, in this time and space, we can hold hands. And we can sing a common song.” From a story Steven tells in this episode to illustrate the ways that music CAN help us transcend the issues that divide us. Dr. Steven Hankle directs the choirs at University of Dayton in Ohio. Steven caught my attention recently with a very vulnerable po…

1
Singing in Pregnancy 1:12:33

4M ago1:12:33

1:12:33

In the third episode about issues facing female singers, Eamonn again talks to Dr Jenevora Williams and Charlotte Mobbs about how physical and mental changes affect singing, with contributions from several female colleagues. TRACKS : (1) Tomás Luis de Victoria - Ne timeas Maria; The Sixteen / Harry Christophers - Listen on Apple Music https://apple…

1
Episode 197: Ripping off the Band-Aid Volume 2

4M ago

—

The Choralosophy Podcast has been at the epicenter of the music education conversation since 2019. The first episode that really made a splash was #18. Ripping Off the Bandaid. It seemed to draw a two sided coin of responses. Colleagues were either offended or found their instruction revolutionized for the better. In this episode, I look back to 18…

1
16} The DMs, Divine and Moral 51:58

4M ago51:58

51:58

giveNOLA Day is Tuesday! Donate! Watch the video of Sacred Nine Project: The DMsBy Leonard Raybon

1
Episode 196: Educating the Anxious Generation

4M ago

—

Choralosophy Book Club is back with a discussion of the book I am currently reading. “The Anxious Generation” by Jonathan Haidt (author of “The Coddling of the American Mind” and “The Righteous Mind”) which is #1 on NY Times Best Seller List This book has powerful insights and implications for teachers in addition to parents. I, of course, have my …

1
The US Choral Scene 1:01:56

4M ago1:01:56

1:01:56

Open your eyes and ears to the US choral scene, and be surprised! Christiana Howell and Luthien Brackett tell Sammy and Robert about the wealth of choral music in the US, from schools to spirituals, social change and MONEY... TRACKS : (1) Trad. Arr. F.M. Christiansen - Beautiful Savior; St. Olaf Choir / Anton Armstrong / Kelly Becker - Listen on Ap…

1
Episode 195: Elementary Choirs-Our Manhattan Project with Bruce Rockwell

5M ago

—

Is it possible that we are all grasping at the wrong straws trying to reach program growth in an equitable way? Bruce Rockwell believes we need a transformative revolution in choral music. One where we turn our collective focus toward the Elementary School Choir. Bruce is a high school choral educator who teaches in a district in which a very small…

1
Episode 194: A Round Peg Voice in a Square Hole Choir with Timothy Mount

5M ago

—

Tim’s article “How to Ruin an Alto” was published in 1982-83 in The Choral Journal and in MENC’s publication. It included some strong language like “there are no good reasons for allowing women to sing tenor.” In this episode Timothy Mount, a Professor Emeritus at Stony Brook University, joins me to discuss his very strongly worded article from the…

1
Choral Conducting 1:12:45

5M ago1:12:45

1:12:45

Eamonn Dougan kicks-off our eighth season, talking choral conducting with guests Patrick Russill, Hilary Campbell and Jack Apperley. TRACKS : (1) Tomás Luis de Victoria - Tantum Ergo; Choir of the London Oratory / Patrick Russill (2) Judith Weir - Love Bade Me Welcome; Eric Ericson Chamber Choir / Fredrik Malmberg - Listen on Apple Music https://ap…

1
15} Libby Prison 58:26

5M ago58:26

58:26

Please like and subscribe. Also, visit sacrednine.com and subscribe and consider giving! I want to try to apply for NEA grants, and for those you have to match funds!By Leonard Raybon

1
Episode 193: The Aeolian Way with Jeremy Sovoy Jordan

5M ago

—

The Oakwood University Aeolians have a long standing and proud tradition. Over the last few years, they shot to international fame. Jeremy Jordan is tasked with keeping the flame alive. Ever since Jason Ferdinand moved from Oakwood, the choir world started to wonder what was next for the Aeolians. After their 2019 National ACDA performance, they we…

1
Ep 192: Music Literacy for All: Debunking Myths and Embracing Diversity by Odell Zeigler

5M ago

—

Odell’s presentation was discussed in a recent Choral Journal article, but not named. This is his side of the story. Find more blogs at Choralosophy.Substack.com By Odell Zeigler March 23rd, 2024 In April of 2023, I was fortunate to present “An Unconventional Approach to the Urban Chorus Classroom” at the NAfME Eastern Division Conference, which wa…

1
Music for Tenebrae 1:09:11

5M ago1:09:11

1:09:11

A Christian service performed on only three days of the year: just before Easter, focussing on the darkness of life without Christ. Insightful chat from Sammy, Robert and (finally) Eamonn with brilliant performances from I Fagiolini (Victoria), Tenebrae (Gesualdo), Les Arts Florissants (Couperin), Trinity Cambridge (Poulenc) and Gesualdo Six (Joann…

1
Episode 191: Rise Up and Sing with Shanan Estreicher

6M ago

—

Queens is one of the most diverse places in the world. How can music serve as a “common language” for diverse students? This week, I am joined by Shanan Estreicher, a middle and elementary music teacher in Queens, New York. Shanan is also a composer, and songwriter who has found a magic formula to reach the students of a Title 1 school with a const…

1
Episode 190: Girls Voices Change Too! With Dr. Bridget Sweet

6M ago

—

Dr. Bridget Sweet is the first scholar to examine adolescent female voice change through systematic research protocols This week, we fill in a major gap in programming on the Choralosophy podcast. This is the FIRST episode on the feed diving into research and teaching practice of the female changing voice in adolescence. There will be more to come!…

1
The best things about LENT 52:41

6M ago52:41

52:41

Revd Canon Dr Victoria Johnson - outgoing precentor at York Minster and incoming to St John's College Cambridge - gives Sammy and Robert some context on Lent while they listen to plangent and powerful tracks by Dobrinka Tabakova, Buxtehude, Tallis (natch) and Bairstow. (THIS EPISODE DOES NOT CONTAIN JAMES MACMILLAN'S MISERERE. BUT IT SHOULD.) Follo…

1
Episode 189: Can We Meet Kids Where They Are Without Lowering Standards? With Jonathan Talberg

6M ago

—

Is “Tough Love” outdated? Or is it the tool of caring parents and educators? Recently, a “Facebook post dialogue” of sorts went viral amongst music educators between Juilliard professor Geoffrey Keezer and James Falzone. Professor Keezer made a relatively short post related to the problems he is seeing in his teaching position related to reliabilit…

1
14} The Tradition that Never Was 16:09

6M ago16:09

16:09

Please visit our website and contribute to our endeavors! Giving!By Leonard Raybon

1
Episode 188: Why Don’t Boys Want to Sing? With Martin Ashley

6M ago

—

Professor and researcher Martin Ashley from the UK is back to talk about more recent research related to the boys changing voice from both a biological and empirical view, as well as a qualitative experiential one. We discuss his latest compilation of crucial information, which he has made available for FREE. The eBook is called “Dead Composers and…

1
Music Education 56:29

6M ago56:29

56:29

Robert tries to understand where singing and music are in schools in 2024 and gets a summary from Tim Burnage on how things have changed. He talks to Thomas Leech, director of the Diocese of Leeds Schools Singing Programme and we also hear from Eamonn in Dublin on a new initiative run by Chamber Choir Ireland. Follow Thomas Leech on X Find out more…

1
Episode 187: Five Years of Changing and Expanding the Conversation and

7M ago

—

In the digital realm where voices meet ideas, there’s a podcast that’s become a community hub for Choral Music: The Choralosophy Podcast started in February 2019. It was just a small gathering of a few hundred colleagues, sharing their love for choral music. Then, the unexpected happened. When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, episode 33 of the podcast se…

1
Episode 186: It’s Time for Anti-Racism with Love, with Chloé Valdary

7M ago

—

Activist, author Chloé Valdary is a diversity and anti-racism trainer with a refreshingly loving approach. This week, on Valentine’s Day, I am encouraging us to approach our ensembles, our classes, our colleagues and our neighbors with Agape. In music education, we have a very popular, and important euphemism: “I want my students to see themselves …

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Choral Singing Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide