When Students Take the Lead: Rethinking the Role of the Choral Director In episode 120, we talk with choral music educator Ocie Banks about what happens when teachers move out of the center of the learning and give students real ownership of the music classroom. Ocie shares how he gradually transfers responsibility to his middle…
The Concert is Not the Curriculum In episode 119, Theresa and Kathryn talk with Tim Bupp about rethinking what school music is really for, and what happens when we stop treating the concert as the curriculum. Tim shares how his district has expanded access to music through Modern Band, creating opportunities for students whose musical…
From Teacher to Facilitator: Making Space for Creativity In episode 118, Kathryn and Theresa talk with elementary music teacher Ashley Cobb about creating music classrooms where students are active participants, creators, and decision-makers. Ashley shares how her own experiences as a young musician shaped her commitment to making music accessible and meaningful for every student….
The Most Powerful Music Advocates Are in Your Classroom In episode 117, Theresa and Kathryn talk with Jazzmone Sutton, Senior Manager of State Advocacy and Equity at NAfME, about rethinking what music education advocacy can look like. Jazzmone challenges the idea that advocacy is simply “sharing the good news” about our programs, instead describing effective…
More Than a Concert Piece: When Music Becomes an Experience What if your next concert piece became the starting point for an unforgettable learning experience? In episode 116, Theresa and Kathryn welcome back middle school band director Kyle Rinke to explore how interdisciplinary projects can transform students’ connections to music. From museum visits and collaborative…
Designing Your Year with Intention Welcome to Season 6 of the Pass the Baton podcast! As a new school year begins, Kathryn and Theresa kick off the season by looking beyond lesson plans, classroom setup, and first-day logistics to explore the invisible decisions that shape the entire year. Through five reflective questions, they discuss what…
What Music Teachers Are Really Looking For In this Season 5 finale episode, Theresa and Kathryn reflect on the school year, celebrate major milestones, and revisit some of the most meaningful themes from the season. Theresa shares highlights from completing her PhD dissertation research on why music educators listen to podcasts, revealing that teachers value…
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…
We Know We Can: Building Community Through Hip-Hop In this episode, Theresa and Kathryn are joined by Andrew Wang, a K–12 music teacher who brings hip-hop culture to life in a neurodivergent-centered classroom. Drawing from his own experiences as a neurodivergent learner, Andrew shares how hip-hop became both a personal outlet and a powerful teaching…
Creativity and Accountability: Cultivating Lifelong Musicianship In Episode 111, Meagan Thorup shares her journey toward building a music classroom centered on creativity, reflection, and lifelong musicianship. Grounded in the belief that she is not training professional musicians but equipping students with skills they can carry beyond school, Meagan describes how her teaching has evolved through…