That Music Podcast: A Podcast for Elementary Music Teachers
This show will deliver tips and tricks for elementary music teachers looking to create high-quality musical experiences for students in the general music classroom.This show will provide answers to questions like:*How do I create an inclusive music classroom?*How do I sequence my elementary music lessons?*How to teach elementary music?*What songs should I use in my general music classroom?*How do I balance work and life as a music teacher?
Episodes
In this episode of That Music Podcast, Bryson dives into how technology can strengthen communication with families while still protecting your time and energy. He shares why visibility matters in the music classroom—not just for concert reminders, but for advocacy, relationship-building, and helping families truly understand the learning happening behind the fun. When used thoughtfully, simple digital tools can create a ...
In this episode of That Music Podcast, Bryson tackles a heated debate he witnessed in an elementary music Facebook group: does technology belong in the music classroom? Instead of picking sides, he unpacks the real concerns and challenges teachers to think beyond the noise. Because at the end of the day, it’s not about what someone on the internet says. It’s about what works for you and the students in front of you.
Bryso...
In this vault episode, Bryson goes all the way back to one of the most impactful conversations from early in the podcast and brings it back with a fresh perspective. Teaching songs is something we do constantly as elementary music teachers—but doing it the same way every time can limit engagement, reach, and musical understanding. This episode revisits five effective ways to teach a song and explores how changing your ap...
Feeling stuck in the mid-year slump and wondering if technology is just one more thing to manage? In this episode, Bryson is joined by veteran music educator and technology expert Amy Burns to talk about how tech can actually make your life easier in the music classroom, not harder
Together, they unpack common misconceptions about music technology, explore how tech can enhance (not replace) music-making, and share realist...
We all know that student, the one who shows up to music because they have to, sits with arms crossed, and makes it very clear they’re not impressed. In this episode, Bryson digs into what’s really going on beneath that disengagement and why most “reluctant learners” aren’t trying to be difficult; they just haven’t found their way in yet. You’ll explore five common reluctant learner archetypes and practical ways to connec...
In this episode of That Music Podcast, Bryson tackles one of the most anxiety-inducing parts of teaching: calling home or having difficult conversations about student behavior. Specifically through the lens of music teachers, this episode addresses how being a specialist can complicate communication with families, classroom teachers, and administrators, and why avoiding these conversations often makes things worse.
You’ll...
Two weeks into January, the “new year energy” can already feel like it’s fading. Routines that felt solid in August may suddenly feel clunky or exhausting, and it’s easy to blame student behavior when things start to feel off. In this episode of That Music Podcast, Bryson invites you to pause and ask an important question: are things actually working?
Instead of adding more to your plate, this episode guides you through a...
In this episode of That Music Podcast, Bryson reframes January as an opportunity, not to overhaul everything, but to reset with intention. Instead of reacting to behaviors or doubling down on consequences, he shares three small but powerful mindset shifts that help you increase engagement, reduce chaos, and set your classroom up for success for the rest of the year.
You’ll hear how simple adjustments can transform the way...
In this episode, Bryson wraps up our December recorder series with a topic every music teacher knows all too well: what really happens when recorders go home. Instead of crossing our fingers and bracing for the “my kid won’t stop playing Hot Cross Buns” emails, Bryson shares four practical, teacher-tested strategies to help families feel informed, students feel empowered, and everyone stay sane.
If you’re looking for a mo...
The recorder may not always get the love it deserves, but it remains one of the most powerful tools in the elementary music classroom. In this episode, Bryson breaks down the five most common misconceptions about teaching recorder. He shares practical ways to move past the “mini-band class” mindset, how to differentiate without losing joy, and why focusing on process over performance creates deeper musical growth..
Whethe...
If you’ve ever felt nervous, overwhelmed, or downright stressed about teaching recorder, this episode is the breath of fresh air you’ve been waiting for. Bryson sits down with Erin Elliott, who brings a balanced, practical, and joy-filled perspective to an instrument that often gets a pretty bad rap.
Erin shares why recorders so easily spiral into chaos, the hidden reason many teachers dread teaching them, and the surpris...
Sub plans aren’t anyone’s favorite part of teaching, but having a system that works every single time can take a huge weight off your shoulders. In this episode of That Music Podcast, Bryson shares how switching to a simple Google Doc completely changed the way he handles sick days. No fancy software, no overthinking, just one reliable document he can update from anywhere.
He walks through the structure of his digital tem...
Ever hesitate to take a sick day because it’ll mess up your lesson rotation? You’re not alone, but it doesn’t have to be that way.
In this episode, Bryson shares a simple but powerful strategy to keep your curriculum on track no matter what life throws your way: the lesson numbering system. You’ll learn how to shift from date-based planning to sequence-based lessons, giving you more flexibility, consistency, and peace of ...
Let’s be real, teachers are pros at pushing through when they shouldn’t. Between planning sub lessons, worrying about routines, and feeling guilty for being gone, it’s easy to convince ourselves that resting isn’t worth the hassle.
In this episode, Bryson shares a heartfelt reminder that taking a sick day is not a sign of weakness; it’s an act of self-care that ultimately helps you show up as your best self for your stude...
Creating sub plans doesn’t have to be stressful. In this episode, Bryson is joined by Rainy Barton to talk about simplifying the process and setting yourself (and your students) up for success. From planned absences to unexpected emergencies, they chat about strategies for making sub plans that are practical, engaging, and easy for anyone to follow, even non-music subs. Rainy also shares a sneak peek of her upcoming mast...
In this episode of That Music Podcast, Bryson shares his five favorite extension activities that can be used with just about any concept in the elementary music room. From rhythm to melody (and everything in between), these activities are student-approved, easy to adapt, and built for long-term use. Whether you’re looking to streamline your planning, increase engagement, or bring a little more magic to your classroom rou...
In this episode of That Music Podcast, Bryson dives into one of his favorite rhythmic concepts to teach, tika-tika (four sixteenth notes), and shares five of his go-to songs for making this rhythm come alive in the elementary music room. With an eye toward thoughtful repertoire choices, he explores how to move beyond outdated or problematic songs and still bring the fun with engaging, student-approved activities. From pl...
In this episode, Bryson introduces a fresh way of thinking about your curriculum by flipping the script: instead of hunting down songs to teach concepts, what if your repertoire guided the concepts you teach? He breaks down his Repertoire-Based Curriculum Framework: a practical, cyclical approach to choosing, organizing, and using high-quality music that’s both authentic and pedagogically powerful. Plus, Bryson shares ho...
In this milestone episode of That Music Podcast, Bryson celebrates 200 episodes by digging into one of the most essential building blocks of elementary music: steady beat. He shares his top five favorite songs and chants that make steady beat practice fun and meaningful, along with how he uses them in the classroom to get kids moving, feeling the beat, and engaged. Whether you’re new to teaching steady beat or looking fo...
In this episode, Bryson sits down with Carrie Nicholas and Tanya LeJeune from Music Teacher Coffee Talk to explore the magic of double duty songs, those special tunes that can support teaching multiple musical concepts over time. They talk about why these songs are such a lifesaver when time is tight and share thoughtful tips on keeping your students excited and engaged with music they already know. Plus, Carrie and Tany...
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