Choir Ninja, with Ryan Guth
230 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 5 years ago - ★★★★★ - 116 ratingsFormerly the Find Your Forte podcast - Step up to the podium with purpose and make the most of your public or private school's choral program with solutions you never saw coming! Join Choir Ninja, Ryan Guth as he brings you weekly interviews with veteran in-the-trenches choral directors on how to manage your choir, teach concepts like sight-singing and group vocal technique, market your program, and help inspire a love of choral music in your students each day.
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Episodes
Choir Chat, with John Hughes
January 19, 2017 01:44 - 51 minutes - 35.3 MBFellow podcaster, John Hughes, of Choir Chat comes on the Find Your Forte podcast to follow my format and share his choral philosophy, ups and downs, and his unique contribution to the choral world. Listen Bio Dr. John C. Hughes is assistant professor of music and director of choral activities at Ripon College in Wisconsin. In addition to conducting the college’s choirs, Hughes teaches conducting, choral methods, and private voice lessons. Beyond Ripon College, he is in demand ...
Leggings as pants - A woman's perspective, with Vikki Siddell
January 17, 2017 08:30 - 35 minutes - 24.6 MBIn this episode, I sit down with MO choral educator, Vikki Siddell to discuss why she almost stopped supporting my podcast and what the real issue was with my last Technique Tuesday. To become a patron of the podcast, click here!
Leggings as pants – and other ways to make choir all about you, with Ryan Guth
January 10, 2017 08:30 - 27 minutes - 19.5 MBIn today’s episode you’ll learn ways to deflate your head so it doesn’t block your audience’s view (and enjoyment) of the concert. My new podcast CHOIR NINJA is coming soon! Click below for more info! Listen I recommend... My notes... Remember, in a school situation, your audience is obligated to attend Their child/family member is in the choir Based on previous experience, they would never choose to attend on their own Your ego chooses your repertoire You program...
Let go, with Anthony Maglione
December 07, 2016 08:30 - 51 minutes - 35.2 MBTony Maglione of William Jewell College stops in to share his thoughts on building a culture of trust with your choir. Listen Bio Conductor/Composer Anthony J. Maglione is a graduate of Westminster Choir College of Rider University, East Carolina University, and the University of California, Los Angeles. He is the Director of Choral Studies at William Jewell College where, under his direction, the Concert Choir was Runner Up (2nd Place) for the 2015 American Prize in Choral Pe...
8 must-do's for choral directors in December, with Amanda Simon and Ryan Guth
December 06, 2016 08:00 - 37 minutes - 25.7 MBIn December especially, choral directors spend their days focused on serving others so much that they often neglect their own needs. Here are some ways to stay charged in the coming weeks until Christmas! Listen Notes This is a long, but incredibly rewarding season. Remember to keep these items in mind to maximize the rewards of your work and stay present with those who need you! Keep in mind: You’re a servant and a leader year-round and especially in December! Stay mission-orie...
Homeless not voiceless, with Jonathan Palant
November 30, 2016 08:30 - 44 minutes - 30.3 MBIn this interview, I sit down with Jonathan Palant of the Dallas Street Choir to speak about the true purpose and mission of choral music and how it touches the lives of the disadvantaged just as much as those fortunate enough to be listening here today. Support our sponsor for this episode: KI Concerts Listen Bio Jonathan Palant teaches vocal music at both the University of Texas at Dallas and Richland College. He is also Minister of Music at Kessler Park United Methodist Churc...
Your audience doesn't suck, with Ryan Guth
November 29, 2016 08:30 - 14 minutes - 10.3 MBResponding to an inquiry in a choir Facebook group (that shall not be named) about why it may not be best idea to sing Vittoria’s “O Magnum Mysterium” at a tree-lighting. This is a quick lesson on playing the long game. Listen Notes The original post on Facebook: Every year our choir is invited to sing at the city Tree Lighting ceremony. Last year the set we sang included the Victoria O Magnum Mysterium, Betelehemu, and Carol of the Bells - a mix of songs people may know, but als...
Beer Choir, with Mike Engelhardt
November 23, 2016 08:30 - 45 minutes - 31.5 MBSpeaking with conductor and composer, Mike Engelhardt about his unique project, Beer Choir! This is something that is expanding the choral world one microbrew at a time! Listen for information on how to start your own chapter for free. Support our sponsor for this episode: KI Concerts Listen Bio Michael Engelhardt is a freelance choral music composer, conductor, and innovator. He frequently combines historical choral material with pop, contemporary, and electronic elements, crea...
Responding to an irate parent email, with Ryan Guth
November 23, 2016 08:30 - 19 minutes - 13.1 MBAfter receiving an irate parent email, here’s how to begin to turn around the situation and make that parent a new friend. Listen Notes Write a draft response. Don’t hit reply. Open a NEW DRAFT. Don't send. Go to bed. Review in the morning when you’re less emotional. Send an NEW email to the parent requesting a phone number and a good time to call. When you’re calm, make the phone call and get the parent on the line. While on the call... Open the call by askin...
Dream Big, with Jeb Mueller
November 16, 2016 08:30 - 47 minutes - 32.6 MBJeb Mueller, of the University of Houston, stops in to talk about the value of dreaming big, telling others your goals, overcoming imposter syndrome, and strategies to clear your mind and be your best self for rehearsal. This episode is sponsored by KI Concerts. Listen Bio Jeb Mueller serves as Associate Director of Choral Studies at the University of Houston Moores School of Music where he conducts three choirs, prepares opera choruses, teaches choral music education courses, an...
Should you really get that master's degree?, with Ryan Guth
November 15, 2016 08:30 - 25 minutes - 17.2 MBShould you really get that Master’s degree? In this episode, I speak about the reasons people choose to leave their teaching job to go back to school, give you a simple cost/benefit analysis one can use to determine whether school makes sense, and what they could do besides returning to school! Listen Show Notes Reasons people choose to go back to school for their master’s degrees Bored in current school job Job is too stressful Current position is the wrong fit Required b...
Teachers as professional singers, with Chris Munce
November 11, 2016 08:30 - 1 hour - 44 MBInformative interview on teachers as professional choral singers with Chris Munce, high school director, leader of Kantorei KC and Central UMC of Kansas City, MO. This episode is sponsored by KI Concerts. Listen Bio Chris Munce is an accomplished choral performer, conductor, educator, clinician and arts administrator. As a performer, he is a member of Kantorei of Kansas City, as well as its Founder and Artistic Director. He has also performed with the Simon Carrington Chamber Sin...
Sell ambitious projects to stakeholders, with Kathryn Cole
November 08, 2016 08:30 - 23 minutes - 16.4 MBIn today’s episode, Kathryn Cole of Springfield MO and I dive into stories of selling two major undertakings to her administrators, and how she did it all in her THIRD YEAR at her middle school! Listen Kathryn Cole Kathryn Cole earned her bachelor’s degree in vocal music education from Evangel University in May of 2008. She continued on to receive a master’s of music in choral conducting from Missouri State University. Upon graduating in 2010, Cole began serving on the ...
From Russia with Grace, with Elena Sharkova
November 02, 2016 07:30 - 56 minutes - 39 MBThis is a fascinating interview with renowned Russian conductor, Elena Sharkova. In it, Elena describes her musical journey growing up in the USSR and how she was pigeon-holed to be a musician since the age of 6. We compare and contrast US educational principles with those she was raised with, and find out how she rose from an immigrant living in Detroit to the chorus director of Symphony Silicon Valley and international clinician. This episode is sponsored by KI Concerts. Suppor...
5 guidelines when approaching religious music with your choir, with Adam Paltrowitz
November 01, 2016 07:30 - 18 minutes - 13.5 MBIn this special guest Technique Tuesday, Adam Paltrowitz of the Choral Clarity blog, explains his 5 guidelines to follow when programming religious music with your public school ensemble. This is a very insightful episode that I hope will be food-for-thought for Choir Nation. Sponsored by the Choir Nation: Redirect summer conference in OKC, June 27-30. Listen [Player] Show Notes 5 Guidelines discussed in the episode Always explain WHY we choose any piece of music. We n...
The rise of the choral middle class, with Adam Paltrowitz
October 26, 2016 07:30 - 56 minutes - 38.5 MBIn this interview, I get a chance to sit down with another choral blogger and content creator, Adam Paltrowitz, who is breaking new ground in the world of “self-selected” ensembles. This episode with make you think about the emphasis you choose to place on the choral “elite” at your school. Support our sponsor for this episode: KI Concerts Listen Bio Adam Paltrowitz is a master educator, composer, conductor, and clinician. He resides in Manhattan with his wife, Blair, who is a p...
Don't let the clock define rehearsal, with Stevie Berryman and Ryan Guth
October 25, 2016 07:30 - 20 minutes - 14.2 MBSet rehearsal time does not define the rehearsal. Clear objectives do. So what do you do with your extra time? Stevie and I will get into the nitty-gritty in today’s episode! Listen Support the show on
Falling into place, with Josh Haberman
October 19, 2016 08:22 - 1 hour - 41.4 MBIn this interview, I speak with Josh Habermann of the Dallas Symphony Chorus and Santa Fe Desert Chorale about the chances that he was given as a young professional and the twists of fate that brought him to where he is today.
Q&A on choral concert decorum, with Brady Weldon and Ryan Guth
October 18, 2016 07:32 - 26 minutes - 17.9 MBChoir Nation member, Brady Weldon comes on the show to ask me questions about how to ensure good behavior on concert night. We explore systematizing procedure and the dialogue I have with my own students and choir parents before the concert. Listen
On presence and keeping secrets, with Betsy Cook Weber
October 12, 2016 07:30 - 51 minutes - 35.5 MBBetsy Cook Weber pops in to talk about being present as a choral director and planning for her upcoming ACDA National Conference performance. Support our sponsor for this episode: KI Concerts Listen Bio Dr. Betsy Cook Weber is Professor of Music and Director of Choral Studies at the University of Houston’s Moores School of Music and is also active internationally as a conductor, clinician, adjudicator, and lecturer. In the summer of 2013, Weber became the 13th person and 1st wom...
Don't do stuff, with Ryan Guth
October 11, 2016 07:30 - 26 minutes - 18.3 MBSpend time doing what you do best–directing your choir, and less time on repetitive or menial tasks that your kids would absolutely love to do. Here are some jobs you can outsource to members of your choir! .form{width:580px; height:280px; background-color:#F3F3F3; border:1px dashed #cacaca; border-radius:5px; font-family:open sans;} .main{margin-left:20px; margin-top:10px;} .head{color:#5d5d5d; font-family:open sans;width: 100%;} .name{ width: 35%; float: left;} .email{width: 35%; ...
A much-needed composer's perspective, with Jake Runestad
October 05, 2016 07:30 - 1 hour - 42.2 MBJake Runestad stops by to tell some stories of his youth, including "Old Kmart", the origins of "Nyon Nyon" (and "Ner Ner"), and his viewpoint as a composer when it comes to sharing his art with the world. An entertaining listen, sponsored by KI Concerts. Oliver Scofield of KI drops in to announce a World Premiere commission by Jake as well! Support our sponsor for this episode: KI Concerts Listen Jake's Bio Jake Runestad is an award-winning and frequently-performed composer of “h...
The roles within our ensembles, with Malcolm Gilbert
October 04, 2016 07:30 - 18 minutes - 12.4 MBFormer interviewee, Malcolm Gilbert joins Choir Nation to define the roles of the choir members within our ensembles and the effect they have on performance. Performance = Skill x Effort/Anxiety Conductor: a material or device that conducts or transmits heat, electricity, or sound, especially when regarded in terms of its capacity to do this. Within our ensembles: Leaders Followers Drifters Intentional Disruptors Unintentional Disruptors Team Players Frustrated El...
Find your entry point, with Craig Hella Johnson
September 28, 2016 07:30 - 1 hour - 57.2 MBGRAMMY-award-winning conductor and professional listener Craig Hella Johnson joins me for an interview on presence, honesty, and realizing the music with your choir. Click here for a special offer from KI Concerts and to learn about singing in Sydney Australia with Craig Hella Johnson in July 2018!
Taking over a choral program, with Kyle Karum and Ryan Guth
September 27, 2016 07:30 - 31 minutes - 22.1 MBKyle Karum shares tips on taking over a choral program from its last director.
Real tips from pro choirs: Santa Fe Desert Chorale, with Laura Pancoast
September 21, 2016 07:30 - 1 hour - 44 MBLaura Pancoast of the Santa Fe Desert Chorale helps Choir Nation manage their choral program like the pros!
7 ways to love your choir, with Ryan Guth
September 20, 2016 07:30 - 18 minutes - 13.2 MBIn my humble opinion, choir is the least parts technical and the most parts vulnerable. Sure, how we form our vowels is important to me, but it takes a buy-in from your choir before they care about vowels as much as you do. Here’s how you can love your choir so buy-in comes naturally, without canned compliments and insincerity.
Fight for what you believe in, with Nicholas Prior
September 14, 2016 07:30 - 47 minutes - 33.4 MBNew Mexico middle school choral director Nicholas Prior stops by for a conversation about honesty, and above all else, doing what's right for your students.
Schtick happens, with Ryan Guth and Stevie Berryman
September 13, 2016 07:30 - 30 minutes - 21.5 MBWhat is "schtick", and when is it appropriate for use with your choir? Stevie and I discuss the essential components of good schtick and how it can enhance a choral performance without making it awkward for your audience.
Between the notes: Build rapport with your choir, with Jon Duncan
September 07, 2016 07:30 - 45 minutes - 32 MBThe classical pianist Artur Schnabel said, "I don't think I handle the notes much differently from other pianists. But the pauses between the notes - ah, there is where the artistry lies!!" In this episode, Jon Duncan shares his passion for rapport-building with his choirs, by taking time "between the music" to make his rehearsal room a safe place for personal expression. JOIN CHOIR NATION ON FACEBOOK
Student Teachers: If you eventually want a job, listen to this first!
September 06, 2016 07:30 - 18 minutes - 13.2 MB5 things to keep in mind when student teaching with a choral director or any music educator. I want you to make the most of your student teaching opportunity, and I want your cooperating teacher to want to take on more student teachers in the future, so don’t screw this up. -Love, Ryan
Are you a choral director, corrector, or affector? - with Stephen Rew
August 31, 2016 07:30 - 47 minutes - 33.4 MBStephen Rew, of KCMO, gives one of the most positive interviews to date! This episode helps to put into perspective the great responsibility we have to our students and each other. Links to great resources mentioned in the show at www.ryanguth.com/063
You better want to buy what it is you're sellin', with Ryan Guth
August 31, 2016 02:21 - 18 minutes - 13.5 MBIn this episode, I explain how you get kids that may not want to be in choir to "buy in" and make the most of a less-than-ideal situation.
The importance of being present on the podium, with Joseph Flummerflet
August 23, 2016 07:30 - 43 minutes - 30.5 MBDr. Joseph Flummerfelt, Musical America's 2004 Conductor of the Year, and director emeritus of the world-famous Westminster Choir, joins Ryan in an in-depth interview on what it takes to be present on the podium.
You can do better: Repertoire for young men, with Kelly Truax
August 17, 2016 07:30 - 35 minutes - 24.8 MBKelly Truax, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, joins me today to discuss programming repertoire for 7th, 8th, and 9th grade men's choirs.
Build the ultimate choral department website, with Ryan Guth
August 16, 2016 07:30 - 22 minutes - 15.7 MBIn today’s Technique Tuesday, I give a general overview of what a useful choral department website should be and give an exact outline for Choir Nation to use for their own website.
Breaking into the professional choral scene, with James Bass
August 10, 2016 07:30 - 45 minutes - 31.9 MBJames Bass of UCLA and Seraphic Fire joins Ryan today to speak about balancing out your education and conducting career with opportunities as a seasonal professional choral singer. We will dive into schedule, pay, sight-reading requirements, and so much more. Join Choir Nation on FacebookSupport the show on Patreon
11 essential components of the choral department handbook, with Ryan Guth
August 09, 2016 07:30 - 18 minutes - 13.5 MBRyan gives a quick and dirty lesson on the 11 essential parts of any middle/high school choral department handbook. Join Choir Nation on Facebook Support the show on Patreon
Finding choral heroes, with Patrick Dupree Quigley
July 20, 2016 07:30 - 33 minutes - 23.6 MBSeraphic Fire's Patrick Dupree Quigley speaks about the need to grow Choir Nation by making sure students of choral music are familiar with the major players in our industry, just as children know sports teams.
Choral Entrepreneurship, with Patrick Quigley
July 13, 2016 07:30 - 50 minutes - 35.2 MBPatrick Dupree Quigley, founder of the one of America's leading professional choirs and GRAMMY nominated Seraphic Fire, joins Ryan for an interview on what it takes to be a choral entrepreneur. (Part 1 of 2) Join Choir Nation on Facebook
Cut the cheese, with Ryan Guth
July 12, 2016 07:30 - 16 minutes - 12.2 MBHere are the filters I pass my music through to make sure I "cut the cheese" and program high quality literature. Download our high-quality repertoire resource guide by supporting the podcast on Patreon Join Choir Nation on Facebook!
Composer-ing the right way, with Bruce Chamberlain and Vance George
June 29, 2016 07:30 - 27 minutes - 19.4 MBDr. Bruce Chamberlain of U of Arizona and Vance George of the SF Symphony Chorus, sit down with Ryan to speak about preparing a score in such a way that the composer's name becomes a verb (ex. Schubert-ing or Mozart-ing) with it come time to make music. JOIN CHOIR NATION ON FACEBOOK SUPPORT THE SHOW ON PATREON
On gesture, with Charles Bruffy
June 28, 2016 07:30 - 18 minutes - 13.2 MBRyan sits down with Charles Bruffy at Westminster Choir College to reflect on his conducting master class. JOIN CHOIR NATION ON FACEBOOK SUPPORT THE PODCAST ON PATREON
Boop after me: How to 25x your choral program, with Daniel Gutierrez
June 22, 2016 07:30 - 38 minutes - 27.2 MBDaniel Gutierrez shares what it was like to start and grow his middle school program in urban Springfield, MO from 14 to 350 students in 7 years. JOIN CHOIR NATION ON FACEBOOK SUPPORT THE SHOW ON PATREON
WOOP your goals, with Ryan Guth
June 21, 2016 07:30 - 15 minutes - 11.6 MBUse the WOOP strategy, or mental contrasting, to change habits and fulfill wishes. Big woop, right?
Use the summer to recover from burnout, with Dana Campbell
June 15, 2016 12:14 - 30 minutes - 21.9 MBDana Campbell of The Burnout Cure (Episode 036) returns to give us strategy for recovering from burnout this summer so we can start the new year fresh!
Top considerations when traveling with your ensemble, with Patricia Guth
June 14, 2016 07:30 - 18 minutes - 13.1 MBRyan's mom, Patricia Guth returns from Europe and discusses her considerations for choosing the right tour company for your choir. JOIN CHOIR NATION ON FACEBOOK SUPPORT FIND YOUR FORTE ON PATREON
A frank and honest conversation with Choir Nation, with Ryan Guth
June 08, 2016 07:30 - 22 minutes - 16.1 MBI'm just gonna leave this here.
Upgrade your morning routine, with Ryan Guth
June 07, 2016 07:30 - 10 minutes - 8.25 MBA follow-up from last week! Here are some specific ways to upgrade your morning routine, especially over the summer.
Contextual sight-singing explained, with Malcolm Gilbert
June 01, 2016 07:30 - 35 minutes - 25 MBMalcolm Gilbert, ninth grade choral director from NY and member of Choir Nation explains his process for context-based sight singing that you can apply to your teaching any time. Pattern Sheet (mentioned in episode) available for download to Patreon supporters at www.patreon.com/findyourforte