Music Teacher Coffee Talk

Music Teacher Coffee Talk · MTCT Episode #204- Repeat, Remove, Refine   Upcoming Events: Kodály Levels at the Colorado Kodály Institute July 11-24, 2026: Tanya and Carrie will be teaching at the Colorado Kodály Institute in Fort Collins. Learn more and register here. Main Theme: Personal Musicianship Tune-Up Repeat, Remove, and Refine Happy end-of-the-school year! Carrie and Tanya discuss what they's like to repeat, remove, and refine for the next school year. Know Better, Do Better Tanya reminds us that some students might have anxious feelings around the school year ending.   Work Smarter, Not Harder Google Classroom now has a record feature for students! Coda Tanya recommends the book One and Only by Maureen Goo Carrie recommends the musical Merrily We Roll Along on Netflix Did you enjoy this episode?  Consider buying us a coffee to thank us for our work.  Monthly Memberships are also available! Click the button below!

Music Teacher Coffee Talk · MTCT #203: Personal Musicianship Tune-Up   Upcoming Events: Kodály Levels at the Colorado Kodály Institute July 11-24, 2026: Tanya and Carrie will be teaching at the Colorado Kodály Institute in Fort Collins.  Learn more and register here. Main Theme: Personal Musicianship Tune-Up In this episode, Carrie and Tanya discuss strategies for maintaining your personal musicianship outside of your classroom. Things we mention in this episode: Colorado Dulcimer Festival Erin Mae Music: Dulcimer player and teacher Gretchen Rubin - Four Tendencies Harmony Jam Sessions : Denver area singing events Know Better, Do Better Carrie talks about planning for concert next year and mentions a specific resource for choral and vocal music: The Justice Choir Songbook is a free, downloadable resource of songs that focus on social justice and unity. Work Smarter, Not Harder Tanya talks about a whole-class reward idea to end class with students getting calm and focused w...

  Upcoming Events: Kodály Levels at the Colorado Kodály Institute July 11-24, 2026: Tanya and Carrie will be teaching at the Colorado Kodály Institute in Fort Collins.  Learn more and register here. Highs and Lows: Tanya's recommendations for 5th grade continuation songs: It's Raining Tacos! (Just kiddin'!) Our Time (6 Whole Years) by Risha Allen Our Time on TpT Main Theme: Lows In this episode, Carrie and Tanya talk about some lows from their careers. Resources: Mental Health for Teachers Colorado Educators Support Know Better, Do Better Tanya recommends the book The Race Card:  Leading the Fight for Truth in America's Schools Work Smarter, Not Harder Carrie recommends using a verbal sound (like "chh-chh-chh") as a cue for students to shrink, enlarge, or move a circle. Coda Tanya recommends the book What Kind of Paradise by Carrie recommends the ballet The Rite of Spring with choreography by Glen Tetley Here's some history about The Rite of Spring ballet....

Music Teacher Coffee Talk · MTCT #201   Upcoming Events: April 18, 2026: Carrie will be presenting "Keep Them Singing, Keep Them Playing" for the Wyoming AOSA chapter at Alta Vista Elementary in Cheyenne from 8:30-4:30. More info and register here. July 11-24, 2026: Tanya and Carrie will be teaching at the Colorado Kodály Institute in Fort Collins. Learn more and register here. Main Theme: Kodály Myth Busting In this episode, Carrie and Tanya address some common myths and misconceptions about Kodály-inspired teaching.  Things we mention in this episode: World Music Initiative series with GIA : song collections and resources from many cultures throughout the world Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain by Zaretta Hammond Organization of American Kodály Educators  - find a chapter or training program near you Know Better, Do Better Carrie recommends reading this article:  Black Music Aesthetics in General Music by Loneka Wilkinson Battiste . Know Better, Do B...

Music Teacher Coffee Talk · MTCT #199: 2026 OAKE Conference Takeaways Interested in Kodály Levels courses? Check out to the Colorado Kodály Institute where Tanya teaches Level I Pedagogy and Materials and Carrie teaches Level III Pedagogy and Materials. Classes will be held July 11-24, 2026 in Fort Collins Colorado. Come study with us! Main Theme: 2026 OAKE Conference Takeaways In this episode, Carrie and Tanya talk about their takeaways from the 2026 OAKE National Conference. Things we mention in this episode: Organization of American Kodály Educators Shadows in the Moonlight: Song of the Middle East by Joan Litman and Wassim Ibrahim Next year's OAKE Conference will be March 4-7, 2027 in Chicago at the Palmer House. We hope you can join us! Know Better, Do Better Check out this resource from New York Public Schools: Black Studies as the Study of the World, a PK-12 Black Studies Curriculum . There are many lessons that directly relate to music and the arts. Work Smarter, Not H...

Music Teacher Coffee Talk · MTCT Episode #198- Concert Program Organization   Main Theme: Concert Program Organization Looking for more specific concert and program ideas? Listen to  Episode 119: Planning Programs, Concerts, and Informances . Included in our discussion: Scheduling considerations - What time of year? What time of day? Space: what zones can you have? How many class periods will you have with each group? How can you divide up the program among classes? What rehearsal time will you need all together? How can classroom teachers help? How can parents help? How can you publicize? Know Better, Do Better Tanya recommends the song collection  The Rhythm of Somalia  A Collection of Songs, Stories, and Traditions by  Qorsho Hassan ,   Becca Buck ,   Joof Farah     Editor:   Karen Howard Work Smarter, Not Harder Carrie shares how she uses  Vis-a-vis wet erase pens.  Coda Carrie recommends the show The Traitors on Peacock/N...

Music Teacher Coffee Talk · MTCT #197   About Paul Maley: Paul Maley is in his 15th year teaching general music and is currently at Estes Park Elementary. Paul holds a Bachelor’s of Music Education degree from the University of Northern Colorado where he also received his 3 levels of Orff Schulwerk. He received a Master’s degree in Music Education from Colorado State University with his Level III Kodaly training and Eurhythmics training. Paul has led professional development sessions for multiple districts throughout Colorado and is a regular guest presenter at UNC and CSU in their Elementary Methods courses.   Paul is the chair of the General Music Council for CMEA and is currently finishing his 7th year on the GMC council. He has presented sessions, brought ensembles to perform, and started a Thursday night folk dance night to support music teachers through the joy of movement.    Paul is a multi instrumentalist who plays professionally around Colorado ...