From Concept to Concert: A Student-Driven Choir Performance
In episode 96, Theresa and Kathryn sit down with Rebecca Sensor, middle school choir director and president-elect of the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association. Rebecca shares how her choir program transformed its traditional spring concert into a fully student-driven “Pops Concert,” where students select, arrange, and even mash up popular songs that resonate with them. From brainstorming on day one of school to building ballots of potential repertoire, Rebecca describes how giving students a voice in the process leads to deeper engagement, ownership, and creativity.
Throughout the conversation, Rebecca highlights the powerful impact of student choice—not only on concert performances, but also on students’ confidence, collaboration, and lifelong music-making. She also discusses how this approach has shifted her own teaching philosophy, the challenges and joys of balancing student ideas with practical rehearsal needs, and the little strategies that make rehearsals more meaningful. This inspiring episode offers both big-picture insights and practical takeaways for music educators who want to empower their students and make concerts more personal and memorable.
Listen to the full interview:
Here are some key takeaways from Episode 96:
- Student Choice: Allowing students to vote on concert repertoire fosters ownership, excitement, and stronger connections to the music.
- Creative Arrangements: Students contribute mashups, harmonies, and new ideas, turning standard repertoire into unique, personalized performances.
- Beyond Concerts: Student-driven music-making inspires lifelong engagement, with many continuing to create and perform outside the classroom.
- Collaborative Learning: Working with peers and teachers to arrange, adapt, and perform music builds trust, creativity, and problem-solving skills.
- Evolving Philosophy: Shifting focus from “the concert is everything” to valuing the journey has transformed Rebecca’s teaching perspective.
Connect with Rebecca and learn more:
- Facebook: Rebecca Cogan Sensor
- TikTok: (the real) Rebecca Sensor
Links from this episode:
- Join the Coffee Club
- Support Pass the Baton
- Amplify student voice with Exit Tickets for Self Reflection
- Instagram – @PasstheBatonMusicEd
Coffee Club Members: be sure to check out the bonus material available for this episode! Not a member? Join today → Pass the Baton Coffee Club
Ready for more?
You can check out the full interview on YouTube or your favorite podcast platform. Or you can listen right here, on Spotify Podcasts!
You might also enjoy these other episodes:
- Episode 62 – The Kids Come First: Student Ownership in Ensembles, featuring Kathleen Jacoby
- Episode 90 – Throw Away the Rubric: Ungrading the Music Room, featuring Chris Gleason
- Episode 77 – Inspiring Young Musicians: Passion and Purpose in Music Education, featuring Stephen Cox
- Episode 85 – Fostering Lifelong Learning through Reflective Partnerships, featuring Merlin Thompson
