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That’s it. We’re officially done… with WWPPD. But wait—there’s more good news!

This week, we’re joined by the incredible Rachel Maxwell, a renowned middle school music educator and band director from Traughber Junior High in Oswego, IL. We dive into her journey from budding musician to leading her band at the prestigious Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic.

Along the way, we cover everything from advice for new educators and tuba player mishaps to tips for improving your young band’s sound—and, of course, a little Drum Corps International talk.

Trust us, this is one episode you actually don’t want to miss.

Show Notes:
Learn more about Rachel here:

Instrumentalist Article

Rachel's Website

Recording Credits

"Let My Love Be Heard" by Jake Runestad. Performed by the Bob Cole Conservatory Chamber Choir. Dr. Jonathan Talberg, conductor. Presented in memory of Nohemi Gonzalez.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bh5uH5ojFto

Top 8 Phantom Regiment Closers - 1989 New World Symphony

https://youtu.be/np8px5FqGQc?si=SOxiaSW-4IpvyWnP

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Clip - “Don't Call Me A Raccoon!” (2017)

https://youtu.be/KiD_pPFiaW0?si=Pft0FPZ8ITNImwbx

1. NEW - Rising Music Educator Project (RMEP) - Deadline to Apply Feb 28

Are you ready to take your music education journey to the next level? The Rising Music Educator Program (RMEP) is your chance to grow, learn, and connect in ways that will inspire and transform your teaching career. Designed to combat the challenges young music educators face, RMEP invites up to 50 collegiate music education majors and early-career music educators (within their first five years of teaching) in the band area to join an exclusive day of growth and discovery at no cost to the participant. The event takes place on Friday, May 23, 2025 at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells. REGISTER and LEARN MORE HERE

2. Join ComMission Possible 2026 with JoAnne Harris and Carol Brittin Chambers - Deadline April 15. Click here to learn more

3. ORDER BEYOND ARTLESS SHIRTS HERE!
https://bit.ly/ArtLessShirt

4. Got a question or comment? Submit it here or email us at btnmusicfestival@gmail.com

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Show Notes:
Learn more about our guests here:

JoAnne Harris

Alex Tedrow

Audio Credits:

Flickers by Alex Tedrow, JMU Symphonic Band - Oct. 24, 2023
JMU Symphonic Band
Chris DeVona, conductor
Audio Recording by Tom Carr
https://youtu.be/Xtwweofwo6I?si=2STuOwqyhPJkdl3A

1. NEW - Rising Music Educator Project (RMEP) - Deadline to Apply Feb 28

Are you ready to take your music education journey to the next level? The Rising Music Educator Program (RMEP) is your chance to grow, learn, and connect in ways that will inspire and transform your teaching career. Designed to combat the challenges young music educators face, RMEP invites up to 50 collegiate music education majors and early-career music educators (within their first five years of teaching) in the band area to join an exclusive day of growth and discovery at no cost to the participant. The event takes place on Friday, May 23, 2025 at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells. REGISTER and LEARN MORE HERE

2. Join ComMission Possible 2026 with JoAnne Harris and Carol Brittin Chambers - Deadline April 15. Click here to learn more

3. ORDER BEYOND ARTLESS SHIRTS HERE!
https://bit.ly/ArtLessShirt

4. Got a question or comment? Submit it here or email us at btnmusicfestival@gmail.com

Support the show

Send us a text

This Beyond ArtLess Short was captured during our live recording sessions at the 2024 Midwest Clinic. A heartfelt thank you to Eric Songer and John Stewart for stepping in as guest hosts for several episodes. We’re especially grateful to everyone who willingly stopped by to participate in an interview—and to those who accidentally wandered down the wrong aisle and found themselves part of the action, our sincere apologies!

Show Notes:
Learn more about Jack here!

1. NEW - Rising Music Educator Project (RMEP) - Deadline to Apply Feb 28

Are you ready to take your music education journey to the next level? The Rising Music Educator Program (RMEP) is your chance to grow, learn, and connect in ways that will inspire and transform your teaching career. Designed to combat the challenges young music educators face, RMEP invites up to 50 collegiate music education majors and early-career music educators (within their first five years of teaching) in the band area to join an exclusive day of growth and discovery at no cost to the participant. The event takes place on Friday, May 23, 2025 at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells. REGISTER and LEARN MORE HERE

2. Join ComMission Possible 2026 with JoAnne Harris and Carol Brittin Chambers - Deadline April 15. Click here to learn more

3. ORDER BEYOND ARTLESS SHIRTS HERE!
https://bit.ly/ArtLessShirt

4. Got a question or comment? Submit it here or email us at btnmusicfestival@gmail.com

Support the show

Send us a text

Perhaps the name of the podcast should be changed to “folks smarter than Chris, Phil and Peter.” Dr. Jamal Rossi has been Dean of the Eastman School of Music for the last decade and has worked as an administrator at some of the country’s finest schools of music. Trained as a classical saxophonist, Dr. Rossi quickly transitioned into administration and visionary leadership in his 20s. Chris, Peter and Phil still hadn’t bought a suit at that point in their careers. Jamal patiently explains to our hosts what true excellence in teaching and leadership means. Chris eloquently takes notes on a post-it.

Show Notes:
Learn more about Jamal here:
https://www.esm.rochester.edu/directory/rossi-jamal/

https://www.rochester.edu/newscenter/friendly-neighborhood-spider-dean/

1. NEW - Rising Music Educator Project (RMEP) - Deadline to Apply Feb 28

Are you ready to take your music education journey to the next level? The Rising Music Educator Program (RMEP) is your chance to grow, learn, and connect in ways that will inspire and transform your teaching career. Designed to combat the challenges young music educators face, RMEP invites up to 50 collegiate music education majors and early-career music educators (within their first five years of teaching) in the band area to join an exclusive day of growth and discovery at no cost to the participant. The event takes place on Friday, May 23, 2025 at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells. REGISTER and LEARN MORE HERE

2. Join ComMission Possible 2026 with JoAnne Harris and Carol Brittin Chambers - Deadline April 15. Click here to learn more

3. ORDER BEYOND ARTLESS SHIRTS HERE!
https://bit.ly/ArtLessShirt

4. Got a question or comment? Submit it here or email us at btnmusicfestival@gmail.com

Support the show

Send us a text

This Beyond ArtLess Short was captured during our live recording sessions at the 2024 Midwest Clinic. A heartfelt thank you to Eric Songer and John Stewart for stepping in as guest hosts for several episodes. We’re especially grateful to everyone who willingly stopped by to participate in an interview—and to those who accidentally wandered down the wrong aisle and found themselves part of the action, our sincere apologies!

ORDER BEYOND ARTLESS SHIRTS HERE!
https://bit.ly/ArtLessShirt

Show Notes:
Learn more about:
Melody Synder

Want to find out more about the Beyond The Notes Festival or ComMission Possible Project? Click here to learn more.

Got a question or comment? Submit it here or email us at btnmusicfestival@gmail.com

Support the show

Send us a text

This Beyond ArtLess Short was captured during our live recording sessions at the 2024 Midwest Clinic. A heartfelt thank you to Eric Songer and John Stewart for stepping in as guest hosts for several episodes. We’re especially grateful to everyone who willingly stopped by to participate in an interview—and to those who accidentally wandered down the wrong aisle and found themselves part of the action, our sincere apologies!

ORDER BEYOND ARTLESS SHIRTS HERE!
https://bit.ly/ArtLessShirt

Show Notes:
Learn more about:
Jessica Meyer

Go Big Or Go Home - U.S. Marine Band at Midwest

Want to find out more about the Beyond The Notes Festival or ComMission Possible Project? Click here to learn more.

Got a question or comment? Submit it here or email us at btnmusicfestival@gmail.com

Support the show

Send us a text

Beyond Artless has gone international! This week, we are expanding our horizons with Nacho Piqueras from Oros Travel & Culture. A friend of Peter’s and a music enthusiast, Nacho enjoys connecting people from different cultures through musical and travel experiences that create win-win opportunities for everyone involved. Our conversation covers a wide range of topics: travel, music, sociology, leadership, humility, running, and, of course, soccer. Nacho’s intentional, passion-driven, and balanced life exemplifies what dwarfs anything the hosts provide. It’s not every week that Peter performs well as a host on this podcast, but this is one of his strong weeks!

ORDER BEYOND ARTLESS SHIRTS HERE!
https://bit.ly/ArtLessShirt

Show Notes:
Learn more about:
Oros Travel & Tours

NEW - Rising Music Educator Project (RMEP)

Are you ready to take your music education journey to the next level? The Rising Music Educator Program (RMEP) is your chance to grow, learn, and connect in ways that will inspire and transform your teaching career. Designed to combat the challenges young music educators face, RMEP invites up to 50 collegiate music education majors and early-career music educators (within their first five years of teaching) in the band area to join an exclusive day of growth and discovery at no cost to the participant. The event takes place on Friday, May 23, 2025 at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells. REGISTER and LEARN MORE HERE

Want to find out more about the Beyond The Notes Festival or ComMission Possible Project? Click here to learn more.

Got a question or comment? Submit it here or email us at btnmusicfestival@gmail.com

Support the show

Send us a text

What does this week's guest have that this podcast will never have? A GRAMMY! That's right, this week's guest is the 2024 GRAMMY Music Educator of the Year, Annie Ray. Annie currently serves as both the Orchestra Director and Performing Arts Department Chair at Annandale High School (AHS) in the Fairfax County Public School (FCPS) system. Annie is an advocate for providing universal access to quality music education and is known for founding and developing creative opportunities to make music accessible to students of all demographics. Despite our very best efforts to sidetrack her into pointless banter, Annie raises the level of the interview with inspiring stories and brilliant ideas. At one point Phil made this statement, "This show was Sigma." I guess that says it all.

ORDER BEYOND ARTLESS SHIRTS HERE!
https://bit.ly/ArtLessShirt

Show Notes:
Learn more about:
Annie Ray - NPR
Annie Ray TEDxTalk
Annie Ray School Video (Created by her students)
Virginia teacher honored at the Grammys (WUSA9 Report)

Recording Credits:
Recital / SSG Irving Ray (The U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own"); Annie Ray, harp

Want to find out more about the Beyond The Notes Festival or ComMission Possible Project? Click here to learn more.

Got a question or comment? Submit it here or email us at btnmusicfestival@gmail.com

Support the show