Scaffolding Success: Building Student Ownership from Rehearsals to the Stage
In episode 98, Theresa and Kathryn welcome choir director and music educator Darlene Machacon. Darlene shares how she has reimagined her high school choir program to give students increasing ownership of their learning—from running sectionals and leading warmups to planning and producing an entire pops concert. By scaffolding responsibility throughout the year, she empowers students to collaborate, make musical and creative choices, and experience the confidence that comes from truly leading their ensemble.
Darlene also highlights the importance of community and connection in music education. From partnering with school clubs to incorporating meaningful themes in concerts, she emphasizes how music can extend beyond the classroom and create powerful shared experiences. Listeners will leave inspired with practical ideas for offering students more agency—whether that’s handing over warmups, letting students select rehearsal priorities, or building a full-scale performance that is truly theirs.
Listen to the full interview:
Here are some key takeaways from Episode 98:
- Student Ownership: Gradually transferring responsibility builds student confidence and empowers them to lead rehearsals, concerts, and creative decisions.
- Scaffolded Process: Starting small and adding leadership roles over time helps students succeed without becoming overwhelmed or discouraged.
- Meaningful Themes: Concerts with student-chosen themes and community partnerships create deeper connections beyond the choir classroom.
- Collaborative Leadership: Section leaders, conductors, choreographers, and teams work together, showing students the value of shared responsibility.
- Confidence Growth: Student-led performances nurture risk-taking, resilience, and lasting trust in themselves and their peers.
Connect with Darlene and learn more:
- Website: Darlene Machacon
- Instagram: @TheDarlingMusicTeacher
- TikTok: @TheDarlingMusicTeacher
- Substack: The Darling Music Dialogues
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
