Pass the Baton: Empowering Students in Music Education
Helping teachers transform their students from passive consumers to vibrant creatives!
Empowering Students in Music Education
Welcome to Pass the Baton: Empowering Students in Music Education! Hosted by passionate music educators Kathryn Finch and Theresa Hoover, this podcast is your go-to resource for transforming your music classroom into a creative powerhouse. Join us as we spotlight inspiring music teachers who are revolutionizing band, orchestra, general music, chorus, and music education programs. Whether you’re guiding young instrumentalists, leading choirs, or training future music educators, each episode is packed with actionable insights to help you turn your students into engaged, empowered musicians. Tune in, get inspired, and start passing the baton in your music classroom today!


Most Recent Episode:
Episode 113 – All Music, All Students: Rethinking What Belongs in the Ensemble Room
In episode 113, Theresa and Kathryn sit down with Eric Songer, a veteran middle school music educator, to explore what it really means to move from “music for all” to “all music.” Drawing from his own unconventional path into music—sparked by pop radio and a love for popular culture—Eric shares how his teaching philosophy centers on expanding access to music-making beyond traditional ensembles. He describes how incorporating genres like rock, hip hop, bluegrass, and mariachi, along with opportunities in songwriting, production, and student-led ensembles, creates more entry points for students to engage meaningfully with music.
Ready to dig in? Here are some of our favorite playlists
Back-to-School Boost
Giving Up Control
Empowered Performances: Spotlighting Student Success
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