The Musicking Community

When is the last time you sang in a group? Have you ever worked with others to bring a piece to life and present it in performance? Have you ever considered joining a community chorus? Let Beth Armstrong convince you that joining a community chorus is the RIGHT thing to do! In part two of my interview with Beth, she shares stories of the impact of music on the lives of individuals and communities. She also talks about the role of the community chorus within the larger community, how she knew it was time to retire, and who her favorite composers are. Topics in this episode include: The role of a community chorus within the larger community; Music helps people process emotional events and feel all the feelings; Music marks important moments in the lives of individuals and communities; Music cuts through cultural barriers; The primal sound of a mother's voice; Music is not an intellectual experience; Remembering the people we make music with, more than the music itself; How to know it's time to retire; Choosing music for concerts; Aaron Copland; Leonard Bernstein; Stephen Sondheim; Singing in groups is the #1 way Americans participate in the arts. Beth Armstrong has been singing from a very young age and participated in choruses from her teens into adulthood, singing in prestigious groups such as the Concord Chorale and The Providence Singers. While living in New Hampshire, she founded the women's group femme m'amie, directed the Suncook Valley Chorale, and taught public school music for twelve years. She currently directs the Chorus of East Providence, is the interim music director at her church, and is finishing up her 20th, and final, year as director of The Greater Tiverton Community Chorus. She is currently working on a book of memoirs. Beth directs the following choruses: The Chorus of East Providence The Greater Tiverton Community Chorus Be sure to subscribe to The Musicking Community Podcast to ensure you never miss an episode! If you are a musician, ensemble, or organization that would like to share your project with us, or are a fan who would like to suggest one, click on the following link to apply to be on the show! https://forms.gle/pESRBh6ioHGLa78VA

When is the last time you sang in a group? Have you ever worked with others to bring a piece of music to life and present it in performance? Have you ever considered joining a community chorus? Let Beth Armstrong convince you that joining a community chorus is the RIGHT thing to do! In part one of my interview with Beth, she shares her own background in music, how she became a choral director, and some of the physiological and psychological benefits of singing in a group. Singing in a group truly has the power to heal! Topics in this episode include: The impact of early musical experiences; the magic of harmony; the importance of others' support and encouragement; can you do it?; changes in expectations and credentials; imposter syndrome; being self-critical and chasing perfection; comparing ourselves to the false ideal of "perfect" (edited) recordings; the physiological and psychological benefits of singing in a group; Robert Shaw; collaborative creating; how singing makes us all like each other more; taking the first step of being vulnerable; being in the people business, not the music business; the amazing experiences that come with participating in music; singing with Carole King. Beth Armstrong has been singing from a very young age and participated in choruses from her teens into adulthood, participating in prestigous groups such as the Concord Chorale and The Providence Singers. While living in New Hampshire, she founded the women's group, Femme-a-me, directed the Suncook Valley Chorale, and taught public school music for twelve years. She currently directs the Chorus of East Providence, is the interim music director at her church, and is finishing up her 20th, and final year, as the director of The Greater Tiverton Community Chorus. She is currently working on a book of memoirs. You can find the choruses here: The Chorus of East Providence The Greater Tiverton Community Chorus Be sure to subscribe to The Musicking Community Podcast so you never miss an episode! If you are a musician or ensemble who would like to share your story on The Musicking Community Podcast, apply to be on the show by filling out this form: https://forms.gle/pESRBh6ioHGLa78VA

As "Senior Venue" performance specialists, Judy Hall Gray and John Savage perform at nursing homes, memory care units, assisted living homes, and other long-term care facilities. They share poignant and funny stories about how music can provide powerful and meaningful experiences for those living in the facilities and build community among those who are often cut off from the larger community beyond the walls. Topics in this episode include: The types of musical servies that can be provided in long-term care facilities; Getting put on the spot; Working around COVID restrictions; Providing connection during a time of isolation; Theme shows; Bob Dylan, Elvis, and The Grateful Dead; Popular music defines generations; The importance of lifting spirits; Music provides both escape and connection; Meeting the needs of the facility and the people who live there; Having a gimmick; How music can provide a very personal connection; Giving the gift of live music to people who cannot leave their beds; Versatility and variety are necessary; You never know what you're going to get; Breaking past the wall; Letting people know they are seen; How music contributes to the health of a community Judy Hall Gray, "Songbird" Judy (guitar/vocals) has virtually been singing since she learned to talk, thanks to her mother playing records daily on the family stereo. She has performed over the years in various bands and clubs in South Florida, Connecticut and Rhode Island and has been performing for over thirty-five years in Senior care facilities where she is a popular favorite. Her programs can be a complete variety or tailored to specific themes (Patriotic, Irish, Country/Western, Christian/Hymns, Christmas, Show Tunes, Seasons, etc.) Some themes are costumed. She is available weedays (morning, afternoon, or evening) and occasionally on weekends for special occasions. Oldies (50's, 60's, 70's) programs are also available for the duo "Legacy" consisting of Judy and her musical partner, John Savage (also on guitar and vocals.) Judy and John have been working together since 2019 and have a wide repertoire of great songs for your enjoyment! John Savage is a lifelong musician with an exapnsive range of influences. He studied classical guitar with Daniel Salazar at the University of Rhode Island, and he also honed his chops in rock bands, jazz bands, orchestra pits, and in solo performances. He performs with singer/guitarist Judy Hall Gray in the duo "Legacy," and he performs as a solo artist in Assisted Living and Memory Care Units throughout Rhode Island and Southern Connecticut. He also serves as the pastor of the Carolina Free Baptist Church in Carolina, RI. He and his wife, Heather, live in Wood River Junction, and they have raised two children together. To book Judy and/or John, you can reach them by phone: Judy Hall Gray: (401)742-5575 John Savage: (401)489-4656 You can also find Judy on Facebook here: Songbird Judy Hall

Are you a musician running on the hamster wheel of a musical career, exhausting yourself by continually seeking approval from gatekeepers of traditional pathways, never knowing exactly what the committee is looking for? Or are you stuck in low-paying gigs or teaching situations? On today's episode, I speak with Jennet Ingle, oboist, teacher, coach, and author of The Happiest Musician. She talks about her book, which can help you create a Portfolio Career that is right for you, based on your values, your time, your skill, and your needs. Right where you are, in your own community. Topics in this episode include: Defining success (what we are taught vs. what really works for us); Maybe there's no ONE job that does it ALL; Everyone needs money; Finding creative fulfillment; Defining a Portfolio Career; Auditions are a crapshoot; No more groveling before gatekeepers; No need to ask for permission; Taking agency for our own careers and life; How a Portfolio Career helped Jennet weather the pandemic; You can choose the balance of your career; Design programs that work for you; Making a sustainable career that will last long-term; Identifying what you need to thrive; Caring for mind, body, and spirit. Jennet Ingle is principal oboist with the South Bend Symphony, and an active recitalist, concerto soloist, and freelance performer. Her lifelong interest in new music led to a recent commissioning project - Dreams and Visions (Searching the Shadows) by Marjorie Ruche, is a tryptich based on cards from the Tarot deck. In March 2007, she was honored to perform the world premiere of Dough Lofstrom's Oboe Concertino, a work commissioned for her by the New Philharmonic Orchestra and the College of DuPage. As the owner and operator of Jennet Ingle Reeds, she makes and sells over two hundred handmade reeds every month to oboists all over the world and has helped hundreds of people with their own reed-making through her video channel, The Five-Minute Reedmaker, her weekly online Reed Club, annual live Oboe Reed Boot Camps. Jennet has recently focused on building community for adult oboists. Her signature group program, The Invincible Oboist, demystifies instrumental skills and helps oboists get past the struggle to find ease in their playing. Her 2022 book, The Happiest Musician, encourages creatives to take agency in their lives and careers and not wait to be chosen. You can reach Jennet in the following ways: website: www.jennetingle.com Blog: www.proneoboe.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/jennetingleoboist YouTube: www.youtube.com/jennetingle Phone: (773)450-4581 Purchase her book: The Happiest Musician Be sure to subscribe to The Musicking Community Podcast so you never miss an episode! If you are a musician, ensemble, or organization that would like to be on the show, or if you are a fan who would like to suggest one, please visit www.themusickingcommunity.com.

Artwork credit: Jon Bravo of Ska Illustrated Aaron Abrahamson Cote is a Rhode Island-based steel pan player who considers himself a cultural ambassador with the privilege of representing a culture that is not his own. This episode is part 2 of my conversation with Aaron. He talks about the fascinating history and development of the steel pan and how the recent release of steel pan samples is affecting his work. Topics in this episode include: The history and development of the Steel Pan; Colonization and the development of culture; Music of uprising; Making music with found instruments; "Recycled" instruments; Turning someone else's trash into a cultural enterprise; Ellie Manette; The design of Steel Pans; Steel Pan Sampling; Writing for Steel Pan Band; Writing music that is inclusive and not just for one's own use. After graduating from Butler University and the University of Illinois (MM), Aaron Abrahamson Cote's music education continues with firsthand performance experience on a regional and even international level. His background in symphonic percussion paved the way for an intense practice routine that acted as the backbone for his Steel Pan career. After learning the standard Caribbean repertoire, Cote's band Panoramic View backed him in completing his quest to publish a series of original tunes for Steel Pan. Over 200 compositions later, this year Cote plans to release his 7th collection of sheet music and backing tracks for Steel Pan. Many of Cote's original pieces are available for free streaming on online media platforms. With performance credits from Bobby McFerrin to the Skatalites, to members of Rancid and Wilco, Cote is constantly looking to expand his network and collaboratively create an artform that bridges the gap between cultures. Among others, Cote has worked remotely on recording projects with So Percussion, international reggae star Dr. Ring Ding, and Pan Rocks! featuring Stephen Perkins of Jane's Addiction. Despite his heavy background as a freelance artist and recurring member of several bands, Cote consistently performs across the Northeast region with Panoramic View and the Island Time Steel Band. While his career has taken him world-wide, Mr. Cote and his wife, Caryn, are constantly drawn back to the comfort of their beautiful home state of Rhode Island. You can find Aaron Abrahamson Cote at the following links: www.PanoramicViewBand.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/CotePercussion On Apple Music: Panoramic View on Apple Music On Spotify: Spotify - Panoramic View Facebook: @PanoramicViewBand Instagram: @CotePercussion Twitter: @CotePercussion Hear their latest tracks reimagining the 2nd movement of Beethoven's Symphony No.7 on Band Camp here: Beethoven Symphony No. 7 Movement II: Allegretto in Reggae | Panoramic View | Panoramic View Steel Drums (bandcamp.com) Please keep in touch and let us know how we're doing! If you are a musician, ensemble, or organization that would like to share your project with us, or if you are a fan who would like to suggest one, please visit themusickingcommunity.com to apply to be on the show.

Artwork credit: Jon Bravo of Ska Illustrated Aaron Abrahamson Cote is a Rhode Island-based steel pan player. He considers himself a cultural ambassador who has the privilege of representing a culture that is not his own. He talks about the responsibility he has to represent his adopted culture with deep respect, care, and accuracy, as well as the relationships he has formed with people all over the world. In addition to talking about steel pan and Caribbean music, we talk about a whole lot of other things as well. In fact, we had so much fun talking the conversation needed to be split into two episodes! Part 2 will come out in two weeks. Topics in this episode include: Being a cultural ambassador; Seeking out a variety of musical experiences; Commissioning new music; Playing on a cruise ship; Music as a key to traveling and experiencing the world; Choosing the type of gigs you take; Balancing the types of work you want to do and the life you want to live; Balancing the heart and mind of music; Obsession vs. rest; The cycle of gigs; "Sonic Happiness"; How technology has sped up the spread of musical ideas; The melding of cultures and music; Making music during COVID; How competitors can become collaborators; Music is a time machine; Music is a connector and allows you to meet people you might not otherwise meet; Music touches people in unique ways. After graduating from Butler University and the University of Illinois (MM), Aaron Abrahamson Cote's music education continues with firsthand performance experience on a regional and even international level. His background in symphonic percussion paved the way for an intense practice routine that acted as the backbone for his Steel Pan career. After learning the standard Caribbean repertoire, Cote's band Panoramic View backed him in completing his quest to publish a series of original tunes for steel pan. Over 200 compositions later, this year Cote plans to release his 7th collection of sheet music and backing tracks for steel pan. Many of Cote's original pieces are available for free streaming on online media platforms. With performance credits ranging from Bobby McFerrin to the Skatalites, to members of Rancid and Wilco, Cote is constantly looking to expand his network and collaboratively create an art form that bridges the gap between cultures. Among others, Cote has worked remotely on recording projects with So Percussion, international reggae star Dr. Ring Ding, and Pan Rocks! featuring Stephen Perkins of Jane's Addiction. Despite his heavy background as a freelance artist and recurring member of several bands, Cote consistently performs across the Northeast region with Panoramic View and the Island Time Steel Band. While his career has taken him worldwide, Cote and his wife Caryn are constantly drawn back to the comfort of their beautiful home state of Rhode Island. You can find Aaron Abrahamson Cote at the following links: http://www.panoramicviewband.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/CotePercussion On Apple Music: Panoramic View on Apple Music On Spotify: Spotify - Panoramic View Facebook: @PanoramicViewBand Instagram: @CotePercussion Twitter: @CotePercussion Hear their lastest tracks reimagining the 2nd movement of Beethoven's Symphony No.7 on Band Camp here: Beethoven Symphony No. 7 Movement II: Allegretto in Reggae | Panoramic View | Panoramic View Steel Drums (bandcamp.com) Please keep in touch and let us know how we're doing! If you are a musician, ensemble, or organization that would like to share your project with us, or if you are a fan who would like to suggest one, please visit www.themusickingcommunity.com to apply to be on the show!

Have you gotten tired of hearing the same old, same old classical masterpieces once again? Do you ever wonder if classical music is still even a thing? Do you wonder what composers are doing nowadays but don't know where to look? Marvin Rosen, host of the radio program Classical Discoveries, on WPRB 103.3FM in Princeton NJ and streamed online at WPRB.com, has been on the air for 25 years. He is an ardent supporter and promoter of NEW music. He shares his passion for new music and for growing the global community through a simple act of love: listening. Topics in this episode include: the need to support composers of new music; airing pieces listeners of classical music have already heard is a waste of time; new music comes from all around the world; new music is giving expression to a wide variety of experiences from a wide range of perspectives; new music can have any style, influence by popular music, world music, neoclassical music, minimalism, and the list goes on; we show love by listening to others and hearing their stories, their music, and their perspectives; we all motivate one another - composers, listeners, and host; we must move on from the past. Marvin Rosen earned master's degrees in musicology from the Manhatten School of Music and Music Education from Teacher's College, Columbia University, and his doctorate in music education from Teacher's College, Columbia University. He has given many recitals and lecture/recitals as well as radio performances. He has recorded two CDs of Alan Hovhaness piano music for Koch International Classics. The Washington Post described Fred the Cat as "delectable." About Vision of a Starry Night, the British magazine, Tempo, stated, "Rosen's commitment to and enthusiasm for this very exceptional music cannot for a moment be doubted." Dr. Rosen is the author of liner notes for a number of recordings featuring American music on the Koch International Classics label and has also written for Albany Records and the MMC label. He has also presented lectures at the College Music Society's Northeast Chapter meetings. From 1997 he has been the host of the weekly radio program Classical Discoveries on WPRB (103.3FM Princeton, NJ) The program won the prestigious ASCAP Deems Taylor Radio Broadcast Award in 2005. Between 2011 and 2015 Marvin Rosen was a board member for the media council of New Music USA and from 2012 to 2019 was an honorary member on the Board of New York Women Composers. In 2013, he received the "Distinguised Musician Alumni Award" from TCNJ. He is a member of the piano faculty at Westminster Conservatory and teaches music history for the Honors Music Program. You can find Marvin at the following links: www.wprb.com www.classicaldiscoveries.org https://www.facebook.com/groups/classicaldiscoveries/ www.marvinthecat.wordpress.com @MarvinRosen https://www.instagram.com/marvinandfred/ A reminder that two lucky subscribers to The Musicking Community Podcast will win tickets to the upcoming Ultimate Music Business Summit Jan 5-7, 2023. Two lucky winners will be drawn on December 31, 2022. Go to www.themusickingcommunity.com to subscribe! Please keep in touch and let us know how we're doing! If you are a musician, ensemble, or organization that would like to share your project with us, or if you are a fan who would like to suggest one, please visit www.themusickingcommunity.com to apply to be on the show!

Have you ever thought about what it takes to get a song on the radio? Have you ever wanted to start or join a songwriter's group? In this episode, I speak with Ann Johnson, founder and director of Alpha and Omegao Christian Songwriters, about her work in Washington State. Although the songwriters she works with are writing Christian songs, her insights, ideas, and strategies on how she runs the group can be applied in any situation, in any locale. Ann's work has met a need, helping new songwriters find their way and develop a career. As she puts it, she has found her niche. Topics in this episode include: How to start a songwriting group; The support songwriters need most; The process from song to album to pitching to a producer/publisher; Building community through concerts; Celebrating achievements through awards; Helping new songwriters believe in themselves and their work; Collaborating with others to perform and record songs Ann Johnson is a songwriter, pianist, lyricist, and composer. In addition to composing her own music, Ann helps other musicians and Christian songwriters through Alpha and Omega Christian Songwriters, an organization she started in Seattle in 2014. Ann has been involved in worship teams since she was a teen and finds great joy and satisfaction helping other musicians and songwriters achieve the career they always wanted. Ann still finds time to composer her own music and is currently producing three albums of her own: A Hymn for All Seasons: A Tribute to Isaac Watts; On a Night Like This (Christmas Album); and His Love Is Our Song (worship album). She is also working on an opera, Ruth and Boaz. Ann lives in Vancouver, Washington with her husband Michael, a master electrician. She is a member of IEBA, GMA, OFA, WSFA, CFAMC, and NSAI. Ann can be found through the following avenues: (425) 283-8930; www.ajohnsonsongs.com; aj@ilj.com; www.aosongwriters.com; ai@ilj.com; Twitter: @AlphaOmegaSongs

In this episode, I talk with Garrett Hope and Heidi Kay Begay, organizers and hosts of the Ultimate Music Business Summit, the online conference where local musicians can learn business skills to take charge of their own careers, network with other musicians, and gain momementum to pivot into entrepreunership. Heidi and Garrett share their stories about why they moved away from the path of academia and moved into becoming "musicpreneurs", serving their communities through music. They talk about the upcoming conference, and I share my own experience of how the UMBS has impacted my career. The next UMBS summit will be held January 5-7, 2023. Dr. Heidi Kay Begay is passionate about guiding the modern-day musician to find their unique voice and a life they love on and off the stage. Heidi is the owner of two thriving companies, which include J&K Media Productions and Flute 360. Through her entreprenuerial portfolio, she wears many different hats, which include being an educator, flutist, coach, and podcaster. Heidi's first podcast, Flute 360 has received over 100,000 downloads since 2018 and has served flutists worldwide through its 225+ episodes. She also co-hosts The Pivoting Musician with her colleague, Dr. Garrett Hope. Heidi also offers coaching and three courses: The Pivoting Musician, The Podcasting Musician and Generating Income as a Podcaster Through Corporate Sponsorships. Dr. Garrett Hope is an award-winning composer, speaker, and money coach. His focus is on helping people change their thoughts, feelings, and beliefs about money. Since money is the most taboo topic we have in our culture, and since everyone learned about it at a very young age, money beliefs often affect people negatively. His mission is to change that. In 2020, he delivered a TEDx talk on how music, and the arts, can make sicence more accessible and engaging for general audiences. From 2005-2009 he taught at a variety of colleges and universities in Colorado, Nebraska, and Pennsylvania. Currently, he travels the country (and over Zoom) speaking to audiences of all sizes, helping them to think business-ly and to put systems in place. Garrett holds degress from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln, the University of Northern Colorado, and Colorado Christian University. He is a native of Colorado, but currently lives in Nebraska with his wife and daughter. Topics in this episode include: The value music brings to a community; the value of musicians; musicians deserve and need a good income; the necessity of building business skills as a musician; how UMBS can help musicians kick-start or grow their music businesses Tickets to the Ultimate Music Business Summit can be found at musicsummit.biz For a chance to win free tickets to the UMBS, be sure to subscribe to The Musicking Community Podcast. Two lucky winners will be drawn from the subscriber list on December 31, 2022. Garrett and Heidi can be found at the following links: www.garretthope.com www.heidikaybegay.com

Ed Sweeney is a Rhode Island-based multi-instrumentalist whose knack for eclecticism and excavating overlooked songs has led to a multitude of various musical experiences and relationships with musicians from all over the world. He was the Finance Director for Yo-Yo Ma's Silk Road Project for 15 years, and has worked with pipa master, Yang Wei, writing and recording music that incorporates both Eastern and Western traditions. Through his musical expertise, breadth of knowledge, and wonderful sense of humor, Ed helps listeners to understand the motivations, stories, and culture that have made us who and what we are today. Ed performs a wide-ranging repertoire on 6- and 12-string guitar, 5-string banjo and fretless banjo in theatres, concert halls, coffeehouses, schools, clubs, tea houses, festivals, house concerts - almost any venue imaginable. His concerts and recordings have earned numerous accolades throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia. He has been featured on NPR and his music is currently heard on hundreds of radio stations and online networks. His music was part of the Ken Burns documentary Not for Ourselves Alone: The Story of Elizabeth Cady Stanton & Susan B. Anthony and has been heard on television soundtracks and as background music in Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, and Disneyland Tokyo. In this podcast, Ed talks about his work presenting American Folk Music in its cultural and historical context, focusing particularly on the work of Stephen Foster. He presents this program, along with Mary King and Cathy Clasper-Torch, at local libraries and churches. Through their community-based performances, they are able to both educate and entertain audiences while connecting them to their collective cultural heritage. Topics in this episode include: The collection and preservation of American Folk Music; The use of folk music in music education; Minstrel shows - what they were and their cultural impact; How Stephen Foster's music portrayed the humanity of the enslaved; How updated language can be more inclusive; How community music can present music and culture that has been lost amidst increased industrialization and technological advances; How community music can set music in a cultural and historical context; How community music can reconnect audiences to their collective cultural heritage; How community music can both educate and entertain You can find Ed Sweeney at the following links: https://edsweeneymusic.com/ https://www.youtube.com/user/edsweeneymusic https://www.facebook.com/edsweeneymusic Contact Ed for more information about Mary King and Cathy Clasper-Torch.

Barbara Keenan Holm is a flutist and composer based outside Minneapolis, MN. In this episode, she shares her story of how community ensembles have contributed to her growth as a musician, both as a flutist and composer. When she was young, her mother took her to concerts performed by local ensembles, which inspired her. Later, community ensembles provided Barb a place to hone her skills. Community ensembles have also provided an opportunity for collaboration in composition projects. Topics in this episode include How community music ensembles provide opportunities for adults; Connecting children to music, dance, drama, and visual arts; Collaborating with non-musical arts organizations; The wide variety of opportunities to be involved in community musicking; How ensembles can support composers; How a community can show support for local ensembles; How ensembles can partner with schools and churches to meet needs in the community; The difference live music brings to an event; How music is a sharing experience.

Kathy Monroe is the founder and director of the Westminster Youth String Ensemble (WYSE) in Westerly, Rhode Island, and has been working with young string players for over twenty years. Her love is for people, not just music, and her joy emanates to all her know her. Her passion for investing in others has led to many great ideas on how to build and unite a community through music. Topics in this episode include: giving children a voice in decision making, building relationships within the ensemble, developing a mentorship program, creating connections between children and senior citizens, supporting other local arts organizations, and working with the local Chamber of Commerce. www.westminsterstrings.org https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLSm4q1MXMQykFuzaNl8kkw https://www.facebook.com/WestminsterStrings https://www.instagram.com/westminsterstrings/ westminsterstrings@gmail.com

What is The Musicking Community Podcast all about? In this episode, we answer three questions: 1. What is "musicking?", 2. What is musicking in community? and 3. What can we expect from podcast episodes?