Music Teacher Coffee Talk

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 ...

Music Teacher Coffee Talk · MTCT #196- From Solfege to Absolute Pitch...And Back Again! - 2_1_26, 3.33 PM   Main Theme: From Solfege to Absolute Pitch...and Back Again In this episode, we talk about strategies to connect solfege to absolute pitch. Pervious episodes mentioned: #24 - Why Solfege? #9 - Treble Staff Notes Names What now? Why continue teaching solfege alongside absolute pitch? Strategies Sing solfege and letter names as much as possible Staff work Relate to instruments Know Better, Do Better Inspired by Dr. Susan Brunfield, Carrie talks about finding your “guiding principles”. Work Smarter, Not Harder Tanya discusses using Voice Memos to help kids sing in canon. Coda Tanya recommends the book  The Correspondent - by Virginia Evans Carrie recommends the podcast Everyday Wellness with Dr. Tina H. Boogren

Music Teacher Coffee Talk · MTCT #195: Work Smarter - Right Now! Main Theme: Work Smarter - Right Now! In this episode, we encourage you to complete some tasks in real time while listening. Each task will hopefully take 5 minutes or less and we give you some tips on how to think about completing those tasks in your own classroom. This episode is inspired by the Clear the Decks! episode from the Happier podcast. Tasks to complete: Clean up your school related playlists. Jot down five ideas for future programs/performances/concerts. Check out MTCT episode #152  or #119 for some ideas. Answer a tricky email. Choose 1 desk drawer to de-clutter. Make a list of instrument repairs and find out how to start the repair process Add a fun activity to your calendar to look forward to (personal). Make a short list of PD you want to attend this Spring and Summer. Tanya's recommendation: Joan Litman: Shadows in the Moonlight: Songs of the Middle East, A virtual book study February 5, 19, 26, 2...

Music Teacher Coffee Talk · MTCT #194: Deinfluencing Your Classroom Main Theme: Deinfluencing Your Classroom Carrie and Tanya discuss strategies for deinfluencing your music classroom by thinking carefully about the resources and materials you are bringing to your students and the things you are consuming as an educator. Things we mention in this podcast: American Orff Schulwerk Association (AOSA)  - check out their resource library for high-quality materials! Organization of American Kodály Educators  - look for online workshops or chapter workshops in your area Kodály Center - American Folk Song Collection  - great searchable database of folk songs for your classroom Katia Chesnok on Instagram Coda Carrie recommends the movie A Clüsterfünke Christmas Tanya recommends the book The Poppy Fields by Nikki Erlick   Did you enjoy this episode?  Consider buying us a coffee to thank us for our work.  Monthly Memberships are also available! Click the button bel...

Music Teacher Coffee Talk · MTCT #193-New Year, Same You, New Plans! Main Theme: New Year, Same You, New Plans! Things we mention in this episode: Episode #191: Live from the OAKE Western Division Mini-Conference Know Better, Do Better Tanya talks about the  history of Jingle Bells.   Work Smarter, Not Harder Carrie talks us through a new Google Slides option to record directly into your slides. Coda Carrie recommends the movie  Kill Bill   Tanya recommends the Apple TV show  Pluribus 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!