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
214 episodes
218 | Using Technology to Communicate with Families Without Sacrificing Your Time
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 reminde...
•
Season 7
•
Episode 218
•
12:57
217 | The Technology Debate in the Elementary Music Classroom
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 teach...
•
Season 7
•
Episode 217
•
17:07
216 | 5 Effective Ways to Teach a Song in Elementary Music
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 ...
•
Season 7
•
Episode 216
•
16:19
215 | Does Technology Belong in Elementary Music? Tools That Make Teaching Easier with Amy Burns
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 eas...
•
Season 7
•
Episode 215
•
29:07
214 | Engaging the Reluctant Learner: 5 Ways to Reach Unmotivated Music Students
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 mos...
•
Season 7
•
Episode 214
•
15:02
213 | Calling Home About Student Behavior (A Framework for Difficult Conversations)
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 epis...
•
Season 7
•
Episode 213
•
11:47
212 | Are Things Really Working? A Classroom Self-Audit for Music Teachers
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 o...
•
Season 7
•
Episode 212
•
8:06
211 | January Reset: Managing Classroom Behavior After Winter Break
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 min...
•
Season 7
•
Episode 211
•
11:08
210 | 4 Strategies for Sending Recorders Home Successfully
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 playi...
•
Season 7
•
Episode 210
•
13:37
209 | Top 5 Recorder Misconceptions (and What to Do Instead)
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 pr...
•
Season 7
•
Episode 209
•
16:15
208 | Rethinking Recorders with Erin Elliott
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-fil...
•
Season 7
•
Episode 208
•
26:35
207 | A Case for Digital Sub Plans (My GoogleDoc Template)
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 completel...
•
Season 7
•
Episode 207
•
11:51
206 | Take A Sick Day Without Throwing Off Your Lesson Rotation
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 wh...
•
Season 7
•
Episode 206
•
14:01
205 | Just Take A Sick Day
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 thi...
•
Season 7
•
Episode 205
•
12:41
204 | Creating Effective Sub Plans for Elementary Music Classrooms with Rainy Barton
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, t...
•
Season 7
•
Episode 204
•
24:39
203 | 5 Favorite Extension Activities to Boost Any Music Concept
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 stude...
•
Season 7
•
Episode 203
•
11:41
202 | Top 5 Songs to Teach Tika-Tika Rhythms with Confidence
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 a...
•
Season 7
•
Episode 202
•
11:44
201 | Unlocking the Repertoire-Based Curriculum Framework for Music Teachers
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...
•
Season 7
•
Episode 201
•
13:20
200 | Top 5 Songs for Teaching Steady Beat In Elementary Music
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 p...
•
Season 7
•
Episode 200
•
11:14
199 | Unlocking the Power of Double Duty Songs with Carrie Nicholas and Tanya LeJeune
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 abou...
•
Season 7
•
Episode 199
•
30:29
198 | “I’ve Always Used That Song”: Reconsidering Songs with a Questionable Past & Finding Respectful Replacements
In this episode of That Music Podcast, Bryson dives into a challenging topic many music teachers face: those familiar songs that might actually have a questionable past. He explores why it’s important to reconsider what we include in our classr...
•
Season 7
•
Episode 198
•
13:35
197 | How to Include Music from Other Cultures Authentically and Respectfully
In this episode of That Music Podcast, Bryson tackles a tough but essential topic: how to include music and cultural activities that aren’t from our own backgrounds in a way that’s authentic and respectful. He shares practical advice on researc...
•
Season 7
•
Episode 197
•
14:06
195 | Filipino-American History Month in the Music Room with Melissa Fuller Flores
In this episode of That Music Podcast, Bryson sits down with Melissa Fuller Flores to chat about celebrating Filipino American History Month in the elementary music classroom. Melissa opens up about her personal ties to the Filipino community a...
•
Season 7
•
Episode 195
•
39:52
194 | 5 Low-Stress Ways to Learn Student Names Fast
Learning student names isn’t just a classroom management strategy; it’s a powerful way to build trust, connection, and community from day one. In this episode, Bryson shares five practical, low-stress ways to confidently learn student names, ev...
•
Season 7
•
Episode 194
•
12:25
193 | Reflect & Renew: Setting Intentions for a New School Year
Season 7 kicks off with a fresh invitation to pause, reflect, and set meaningful intentions for the school year ahead. In this episode of That Music Podcast, Bryson shares six thoughtful reflection prompts designed to help music teachers proces...
•
Season 7
•
Episode 193
•
10:51