Episode 10: Teaching Music at a Wholesale Level

Choral Connectivity: A People-First Approach to Singing

In Episode 10, I have a conversation with a longtime friend from college, Jonathan Seligman. Jon is in his seventh year of teaching at Casillas Elementary School in Chula Vista, CA in a music program he built at the school from scratch. Jon shares an incredible amount of wisdom and passion in this episode, including an inspiring and emotional story of how - together with his after school elementary chorus - he used song to help a community in trauma. This story is a strong reminder that music is powerful outside of "traditional" ensemble pedagogy, and how being in an ensemble and singing together can heal the soul. (Read more about this story after you listen in his article with the American Center for Elemental Music and Movement.)
Additionally, Jon talks about ways to build a music program outside of building a "high quality, musically excellent" ensemble. Working alongside the Save the Music Foundation, Jon was able to bring the popular band Switchfoot into his newly built program to inspire the students, and give them a performance experience of a lifetime.
This episode is jam-packed with inspiration, passion, laughter, and emotion. I would love to hear your comments and thoughts on my Facebook page, Instagram (@choralconnectivitypodcast), or drop me a line in the contact form on my website. Additionally, feel free to email me any ideas to [e-mail].