Beth Munce's guest appearances

Beth Munce

Choralosophy

Jaclyn Johnson

Emily Williams

Paul Smith

John Perkins

Johns Hopkins

Isaac Cates

William Bennett

John Rutter

Amesh Adalja

Christopher Harris

Eric Whitacre

Brandon Boyd

Gabriel Jackson

Micah Hendler

Josh Williams

OwlTail

Last week, instead of a typical adult getaway for our anniversary, Beth and I attended the National Conference of Braver Angels. From the Mission Statement:  Americans on opposite sides of the political spectrum don’t only disagree on issues — they increasingly dislike one another. This growing partisan animosity is the crisis of our time and threatens our nation. Braver Angels exists to address this challenge. Braver Angels Mission For many who have followed this show over the last 4 and a half years, you might notice that this mission is also the mission of the Choralosophy Podcast. I believe that we in Music Education suffer from this affliction as well as the broader society. In many ways, because of the politically homogenous nature of the Education and Performing Arts communities, we have it WORSE than society at large. We are badly in need of a dose of our own Civic Renewal. To this end, I am proud to say that the Choralosophy Podcast is now a part of the Braver Network of organizations and media outlets willing to stand up for the value of bringing everyone to the table to find common ground. As listeners, YOU can join for FREE as part the Choralosophy community. I see a VERY obvious role for music ensembles to play in this project. The metaphors should be obvious. How many of our choirs, bands, and orchestras bring together people with a true diversity of world views? How intentional are we about creating an environment where ALL of our singers and players are able to bring their WHOLE selves to class or to rehearsal. Ensemble music is one of the biggest sources of opportunity for large numbers of people to gather IN PERSON to unite on a common project. This project of music requires that they set aside their political projects to focus on what they can accomplish TOGETHER.  Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions.     Clinician/Presenter Requests Support the Show/Get Slides FREE Newsletter RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!   Visit stageright.com for top of the line, affordable staging options like risers, acoustical shells and more!   www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!      The Challenge We Face (From Braver Angels Website) As we separate into groups that increasingly do not even know, or interact with, people of differing opinions, we lose trust in our institutions, eroding the ability to govern ourselves and lowering the caliber of citizenship. This growing trend coarsens public debate, produces policy gridlock, shrinks our capacity for goodwill, and harms our family and personal relationships. Effective self government depends precisely on what this type of polarization destroys. We believe the American Experiment can survive and thrive for every American who contributes to the effort. Where we go from here is up to us. This is the driving force that fuels our mission. Receive 10% Discount on your orders at http://www.graphitepublishing.com where you will find the works of Jocelyn Hagen, Eric Barnum, Timothy C. Takach,Paul Rudoi and MANY more.     Past Episodes with Braver Angels Leaders Episode 110: Creating Laboratories for Friction with Mónica GuzmánMonica Guzman    Micah HeEpisode 93: Togetherness Activists with Micah Hendlerndler

Last week, instead of a typical adult getaway for our anniversary, Beth and I attended the National Conference of <a href="https://braverangels.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Braver Angels</a>. From the Mission Statement: <blockquote> Americans on opposite sides of the political spectrum don’t only disagree on issues — they increasingly dislike one another. This growing partisan animosity is the crisis of our time and threatens our nation. Braver Angels exists to address this challenge. Braver Angels Mission</blockquote> For many who have followed this show over the last 4 and a half years, you might notice that this mission is also the mission of the Choralosophy Podcast. I believe that we in Music Education suffer from this affliction as well as the broader society. In many ways, because of the politically homogenous nature of the Education and Performing Arts communities, we have it WORSE than society at large. We are badly in need of a dose of our own Civic Renewal. To this end, I am proud to say that the Choralosophy Podcast is now a part of the Braver Network of organizations and media outlets willing to stand up for the value of bringing everyone to the table to find common ground. <a href="https://braverangels.org/join/one-time-gift-variable-amount/?coupon=645D0AA301863&amp;aff=24570" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">As listeners, YOU can join for FREE as part the Choralosophy community.</a> I see a VERY obvious role for music ensembles to play in this project. The metaphors should be obvious. How many of our choirs, bands, and orchestras bring together people with a true diversity of world views? How intentional are we about creating an environment where ALL of our singers and players are able to bring their WHOLE selves to class or to rehearsal. Ensemble music is one of the biggest sources of opportunity for large numbers of people to gather IN PERSON to unite on a common project. This project of music requires that they set aside their political projects to focus on what they can accomplish TOGETHER. <a href="www.ludus.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit <a href="http://www.ludus.com/choralosophy" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ludus.com</a>/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions. <a href="https://choralosophy.com/clinician-request/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Clinician/Presenter Requests</a> <a href="https://choralosophy.com/support/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Support the Show/Get Slides</a> <a href="http://choralosophy.substack.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">FREE Newsletter</a> <a href="http://RyanMain.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">RyanMain.com</a> is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit <a href="http://endeavormusicpublishing.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">endeavormusicpublishing.com</a> and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount! Visit <a href="http://www.stageright.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">stageright.com</a> for top of the line, affordable staging options like risers, acoustical shells and more! <a href="www.sightreadingfactory.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.sightreadingfactory.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.sightreadingfactory.com </a>is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students! <h2>The Challenge We Face (From Braver Angels Website)</h2> As we separate into groups that increasingly do not even know, or interact with, people of differing opinions, we lose trust in our institutions, eroding the ability to govern ourselves and lowering the caliber of citizenship. This growing trend coarsens public debate, produces policy gridlock, shrinks our capacity for goodwill, and harms our family and personal relationships. Effective self government depends precisely on what this type of polarization destroys. We believe the American Experiment can survive and thrive for every American who contributes to the effort. Where we go from here is up to us. This is the driving force that fuels our mission. <a href="www.graphitepublishing.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>Receive 10% Discount on your orders at <a href="http://www.graphitepublishing.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.graphitepublishing.com</a> where you will find the works of Jocelyn Hagen, Eric Barnum, Timothy C. Takach, Paul Rudoi and MANY more. <h2>Past Episodes with Braver Angels Leaders</h2> <a href="https://choralosophy.com/2022/07/07/episode-110-creating-laboratories-for-friction/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Episode 110: Creating Laboratories for Friction with Mónica Guzmán</a>Monica Guzman <a href="https://choralosophy.com/2022/02/17/episode-93-togetherness-activists-with-micah-hendler/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>Micah He<a href="https://choralosophy.com/2022/02/17/episode-93-togetherness-activists-with-micah-hendler/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Episode 93: Togetherness Activists with Micah Hendler</a>ndler

Episode 157: Civic Renewal Through Ensemble with Chris and Beth Munce

This episode is a milestone. The 100th full length episode of the podcast. Since my wife Beth was the FIRST guest on the show, I thought it would be good to go full circle, and bring her on again!  Being a music teacher is an important job. It is, or should be about SO MUCH more than the “collection and curation of musicians who are already good.” But how often is that our quickest route to career success? In this episode Beth and I take the gloves off and dive into the topic of the ways in which choir directors of all levels, with all of the best intentions, can often say or do things that either do not help singers become better, or even make the singer worse. “Raise the soft palette” when the problem is actually tongue tension. “Blend! when the result is actually just removing resonance so you can no longer hear the problem. “Open your mouth to the size of the 3 Oreos” when every mouth is a different size, and much more.    Beth Munce   Clinician/Presenter Requests Support the Show/Get Slides FREE Newsletter We also go a bit hard on the problems with ranking, or rating competitions for beginning singers. The systems, often governed by the same organization that governs basketball games in many places, can actually disincentivize quality feedback for singers.   Episode 100  The Unique Nature of Singing by Beth Munce While many of my singing and teaching of singing philosophies and approaches have shifted or changed…some I would completely redo differently if I had the chance…one that hasn’t (and this is a hill that I will die on) is that there is a place in music for EVERYONE.   Sorry Trevor  The unique nature of singing is that 1) we all have a different instrument: everyone’s lung capacity, torso length, pharyngeal shape, tongue size, etc…are all different!! So there is not a one size fits all approach to singing. It is different for everyone. And everyone learns differently! Add that into the mix. Plus every person has to learn how to coordinate their muscles, where to feel resonance, how to learn to resonate effectively and efficiently, and how to adjust this approach when their bodies and hormones are changing. It’s a lot! Plus, 2) unlike starting piano or band where the first time you pick up an instrument is with your teacher (where they can tell you “put this hand here, this finger here…”) in choir, EVERY kid has prior experience in singing/phonation whether that be with the radio, with mom, in another choir, etc…some of these habits are good, some detrimental (don’t get me started on some of the bad singing examples on the radio!). The point being, you are having to redirect those already insulated neural pathways. Retrain those muscles. And this takes time and concerted effort. Some kids give up and don’t want to put forth the effort. I tell my students that learning to sing is like you are renovating a home as opposed to building one from scratch. And some houses need more work than others!    Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.com Some of my proudest moments in teaching have been the kid whose mom thought he was “tone deaf” and he ended up being able to perform a solo successfully and make concert choir to be with his buddies…the girl who was the only one of her peers who auditioned for an honor choir her sophomore year and didn’t make it, who went on to make All-State choir her senior year…the boy who was so awkward and shy and could barely make a peep who went on to get a full ride scholarship in vocal performance and has had an active adult performance career. Those stories of hard work and perseverance are my favorite. The kid that didn’t think they could or was the underdog who worked their butt off and ended up excelling!! Beth’s previous appearances on the Podcast Episode 1: Health Happiness and Balance for the Choral Director Episode 8: Renovating the Voice Episode 25: Loving by Letting Go with Jaclyn Johnson (Beth as Co Host) Episode 8

This episode is a milestone. The 100th full length episode of the podcast. Since my wife Beth was the FIRST guest on the show, I thought it would be good to go full circle, and bring her on again! Being a music teacher is an important job. It is, or should be about SO MUCH more than the “collection and curation of musicians who are already good.” But how often is that our quickest route to career success? In this episode Beth and I take the gloves off and dive into the topic of the ways in which choir directors of all levels, with all of the best intentions, can often say or do things that either do not help singers become better, or even make the singer worse. “Raise the soft palette” when the problem is actually tongue tension. “Blend! when the result is actually just removing resonance so you can no longer hear the problem. “Open your mouth to the size of the 3 Oreos” when every mouth is a different size, and much more. Beth Munce <a href="https://choralosophy.com/clinician-request/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Clinician/Presenter Requests</a> <a href="https://choralosophy.com/support/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Support the Show/Get Slides</a> <a href="http://choralosophy.substack.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">FREE Newsletter</a> We also go a bit hard on the problems with ranking, or rating competitions for beginning singers. The systems, often governed by the same organization that governs basketball games in many places, can actually disincentivize quality feedback for singers. Episode 100 <h1>The Unique Nature of Singing by Beth Munce</h1> While many of my singing and teaching of singing philosophies and approaches have shifted or changed…some I would completely redo differently if I had the chance…one that hasn’t (and this is a hill that I will die on) is that there is a place in music for EVERYONE. Sorry Trevor The unique nature of singing is that 1) we all have a different instrument: everyone’s lung capacity, torso length, pharyngeal shape, tongue size, etc…are all different!! So there is not a one size fits all approach to singing. It is different for everyone. And everyone learns differently! Add that into the mix. Plus every person has to learn how to coordinate their muscles, where to feel resonance, how to learn to resonate effectively and efficiently, and how to adjust this approach when their bodies and hormones are changing. It’s a lot! Plus, 2) unlike starting piano or band where the first time you pick up an instrument is with your teacher (where they can tell you “put this hand here, this finger here…”) in choir, EVERY kid has prior experience in singing/phonation whether that be with the radio, with mom, in another choir, etc…some of these habits are good, some detrimental (don’t get me started on some of the bad singing examples on the radio!). The point being, you are having to redirect those already insulated neural pathways. Retrain those muscles. And this takes time and concerted effort. Some kids give up and don’t want to put forth the effort. I tell my students that learning to sing is like you are renovating a home as opposed to building one from scratch. And some houses need more work than others!  Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! <a href="http://www.mymusicfolders.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.mymusicfolders.com</a> and <a href="http://www.mychoirrobes.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.mychoirrobes.com</a> Some of my proudest moments in teaching have been the kid whose mom thought he was “tone deaf” and he ended up being able to perform a solo successfully and make concert choir to be with his buddies…the girl who was the only one of her peers who auditioned for an honor choir her sophomore year and didn’t make it, who went on to make All-State choir her senior year…the boy who was so awkward and shy and could barely make a peep who went on to get a full ride scholarship in vocal performance and has had an active adult performance career. Those stories of hard work and perseverance are my favorite. The kid that didn’t think they could or was the underdog who worked their butt off and ended up excelling!! <h2>Beth’s previous appearances on the Podcast</h2> <a href="https://choralosophy.com/2019/02/18/episode-1-health-happiness-and-balance-with-beth-munce/comment-page-1/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Episode 1: Health Happiness and Balance for the Choral Director</a> <a href="https://choralosophy.com/2019/04/29/episode-8-renovating-the-voice/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Episode 8: Renovating the Voice</a> <a href="https://choralosophy.com/2019/12/06/episode-25-loving-by-letting-go-with-jaclyn-johnson/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Episode 25: Loving by Letting Go with Jaclyn Johnson (Beth as Co Host)</a> <a href="https://choralosophy.com/2019/04/29/episode-8-renovating-the-voice/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>Episode 8

Episode 100: Sing Softer, You’re Off Key with Beth Munce

At times, we, as working professionals, struggle to maintain our health and balance. As a result, our happiness suffers. In this episode, I will share my thoughts on this as well as get a reality check from my wife, Beth, on whether or not I am “balanced.”The Inaugural episode of the Choralosophy Podcast was designed to let you know where I am coming from. A little bit about what makes me me. I discuss one of the original reasons for starting this show: the belief that the ability to ground our work in philosophy and a solid “why” is critical for avoiding burnout and despair in our work lives, and lives in general. Since then, the show has taken me on MANY wild rides. Please enjoy this flashback.Beth MunceBeth Kakacek-Munce, a coloratura soprano, is renowned for her “beautifully effortless” and “stunning” singing.  Beth is passionate about the choral arts and actively sings in several professional choral ensembles and as a featured soloist for chamber works. Beth has sung with Kantorei of Kansas City since its inception in 2009 and has been a featured soloist on Kantorei’s albums “To Bethlehem,” and “Music and Sweet Poetry,” recorded by the UK-based label, Resonus Classics.      Enter Choralosophy at check out to receive a 10% discount at Sightreading Factory! Beth has also been a member of the Grammy-award winning Kansas City Chorale and was fortunate to add her voice to the recording of “The Sacred Works of Joseph Reinberger” which was nominated for two Grammy Awards.  Beth was also a founding member of the nationally renowned Early Music Ensemble, Armonia, under the direction of Dr. Ryan Board. Beth was consistently a featured soloist with Armonia and was featured at the Piccolo-Spoleto Festival in 2006 and 2007 and The National ACDA convention in 2007. Recent projects Beth has enjoyed lending her voice to include performing the production of the Medieval musical play of “Daniel” under the direction of Anne Azema, a collaboration with Boston Camerata and KC’s Te Deum Antiqua.  Beth has also recently performed the soprano solos for Handel’s Dixit Dominus under the baton of Dr. Jacob Narverud, the soprano solos for The Biber Requiem under the direction of Matthew Shepard as well as the soprano solos for Handel’s Messiah under the direction of Dr. William Baker.  Beth also frequently lends her voice to professional demo recording projects.       Enter Choralosophy at check out to receive a 10% discount at RyanMain.com Beth completed her Master of Music Degree in Vocal Performance at the Conservatory of Music at UMKC in 2006 under the tutelage of Dr. Rebecca Sherburn and Dr. Scott Anderson.  Prior to that Beth earned her undergraduate degree from Idaho State University.  Beth has enjoyed performing operatic roles such as The Doll” from Les Contes d’Hoffman, Papagena from Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte, Zerlina from Mozart’s Don Giovanni and Guinone from Monteverdi’s “Il Ritorno d’Ulisse in Patria” and “first witch” from Purcell’s Dido and Aneas.  Beth is a passionate voice teacher and has an active voice studio of 34 students. Beth and her husband Chris are the proud parents of Clara and Colin, their biggest pride and joy in life. Link to post on FB and Twitter about Happiness and Teen suicide so you can see them in their contexts or share them if you there are people that you think need to see them.  Find the show on your favorite podcast providers!

At times, we, as working professionals, struggle to maintain our health and balance. As a result, our happiness suffers. In this episode, I will share my thoughts on this as well as get a reality check from my wife, Beth, on whether or not I am “balanced.”The Inaugural episode of the Choralosophy Podcast was designed to let you know where I am coming from. A little bit about what makes me me. I discuss one of the original reasons for starting this show: the belief that the ability to ground our work in philosophy and a solid “why” is critical for avoiding burnout and despair in our work lives, and lives in general. Since then, the show has taken me on MANY wild rides. Please enjoy this flashback.<a href="http://www.kantoreikc.org/beth-munce" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Beth Munce</a>Beth Kakacek-Munce, a coloratura soprano, is renowned for her “beautifully effortless” and “stunning” singing.  Beth is passionate about the choral arts and actively sings in several professional choral ensembles and as a featured soloist for chamber works. Beth has sung with Kantorei of Kansas City since its inception in 2009 and has been a featured soloist on Kantorei’s albums “To Bethlehem,” and “Music and Sweet Poetry,” recorded by the UK-based label, Resonus Classics.  Enter Choralosophy at check out to receive a 10% discount at <a href="http://www.sightreadingfactory.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sightreading Factory!</a> Beth has also been a member of the Grammy-award winning Kansas City Chorale and was fortunate to add her voice to the recording of “The Sacred Works of Joseph Reinberger” which was nominated for two Grammy Awards.  Beth was also a founding member of the nationally renowned Early Music Ensemble, Armonia, under the direction of Dr. Ryan Board. Beth was consistently a featured soloist with Armonia and was featured at the Piccolo-Spoleto Festival in 2006 and 2007 and The National ACDA convention in 2007. Recent projects Beth has enjoyed lending her voice to include performing the production of the Medieval musical play of “Daniel” under the direction of Anne Azema, a collaboration with Boston Camerata and KC’s Te Deum Antiqua.  Beth has also recently performed the soprano solos for Handel’s Dixit Dominus under the baton of Dr. Jacob Narverud, the soprano solos for The Biber Requiem under the direction of Matthew Shepard as well as the soprano solos for Handel’s Messiah under the direction of Dr. William Baker.  Beth also frequently lends her voice to professional demo recording projects.    Enter Choralosophy at check out to receive a 10% discount at <a href="http://www.ryanmain.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">RyanMain.com</a> Beth completed her Master of Music Degree in Vocal Performance at the Conservatory of Music at UMKC in 2006 under the tutelage of Dr. Rebecca Sherburn and Dr. Scott Anderson.  Prior to that Beth earned her undergraduate degree from Idaho State University.  Beth has enjoyed performing operatic roles such as The Doll” from Les Contes d’Hoffman, Papagena from Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte, Zerlina from Mozart’s Don Giovanni and Guinone from Monteverdi’s “Il Ritorno d’Ulisse in Patria” and “first witch” from Purcell’s Dido and Aneas.  Beth is a passionate voice teacher and has an active voice studio of 34 students. Beth and her husband Chris are the proud parents of Clara and Colin, their biggest pride and joy in life. Link to post on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/notes/chris-munce/thoughts-on-happiness-and-teen-suicide-a-thread-copied-from-twitter/10156817972415086/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">FB</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/i/moments/1036772067293753346?s=13" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a> about Happiness and Teen suicide so you can see them in their contexts or share them if you there are people that you think need to see them. Find the show on your <a href="https://choralosophy.com/find-the-show/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">favorite podcast providers!</a>