Episode 113 – All Music, All Students: Rethinking What Belongs in the Ensemble Room

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.

Eric offers a wide range of practical strategies for bringing this vision to life, from launching after-school “School of Rock” programs to embedding composition, improvisation, and music technology into the regular band curriculum. He also highlights the importance of student agency—encouraging teachers to say “yes” to student ideas, even when it means learning alongside them. Throughout the conversation, Eric emphasizes that these approaches don’t detract from traditional programs but instead deepen student engagement, broaden participation, and help more students see themselves as musicians.