The Choir Guys

Unfiltered chats from the choir room with Blake Richter and Daniel Gutierrez.

The Choir Guys is a education podcast hosted by Blake Richter, with 38 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Blake Richter hosts The Choir Guys, a education show with 38 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #1

  SEASON 4 PREMIERE - Back to School 26-27 | Ep 38

  Aug 18, 202659 minS4

  Welcome to this episode of The Choir Guys Podcast! In this episode, we kick off Season 4 of The Choir Guys Podcast by getting you inspired, encouraged, and ready to tackle the 2026–2027 school year! We asked retired music educators and previous guests of the podcast to share the wisdom, advice, and reminders they believe every teacher needs to hear as a new school year begins. From keeping perspective and building meaningful relationships with staff and students, to finding joy in the classroom and remembering why you became a music educator in the first place, this episode is packed with encouragement from people who have been there and have plenty of wisdom to share. Whether this is your first year teaching or your thirtieth, we hope these words help you walk into your classroom refreshed, motivated, and ready for an incredible year. We hope you find our discussions helpful, entertaining, and applicable. If you have any questions or topics you would like us to cover, please email us at thechoirguyspod@gmail.com, or simply message us on social media - @thechoirguyspod. We will be back in a few weeks with a new episode! Make sure to follow us on our social media pages (linked below) so you do not miss an episode. Visit The Choir Guys’ website here: https://thechoirguyspod.weebly.com/ Want to become a sponsor of the podcast? Email us at thechoirguyspod@gmail.com. Download the full podcast here: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-choir-guys/id1730260085 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1vQx1T5IYKNs5ztnOkuVns Follow The Choir Guys on Social Media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556415050610 Twitter: https://twitter.com/thechoirguyspod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechoirguyspod/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thechoirguyspod Sponsors: Sight Reading Factory: sightreadingfactory.com Gateway Sheet Music: https://gatewaysheetmusic.com/

  ListenShow Notes
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  Episode #19

  Morning Hair Routines, Musical Easter Eggs & Conducting in a TGI Friday’s with Eric Whitacre | Ep 37

  Jul 21, 20261h 13mS3

  Welcome to this episode of The Choir Guys Podcast! In this episode, we close out Season 3 with one of the most influential voices in modern choral music—GRAMMY Award-winning composer and conductor Eric Whitacre. Eric takes us on a journey through his remarkable career, from discovering his love of choral music as a young adult to becoming one of the most recognized composers in the world and the visionary behind the Virtual Choir. We discuss his signature compositional style, the role of silence in music, what conductors often over- and under-rehearse in his works, and how he hopes live choral performances inspire the next generation of singers. We also dive into his friendship with Tony Silvestri, the story behind the return of Stopping by Woods, and wrap things up with a fun rapid-fire round covering everything from composition software and hidden musical "Easter eggs" to tango dancing, favorite composers, and, yes... his famous hair. Whether you've admired Eric's music for years or are just discovering his work, this season finale is filled with insight, laughter, and unforgettable stories from one of choral music's true innovators. We hope you find our discussions helpful, entertaining, and applicable. If you have any questions or topics you would like us to cover, please email us at thechoirguyspod@gmail.com, or simply message us on social media - @thechoirguyspod. We will be back in a few weeks with a new episode! Make sure to follow us on our social media pages (linked below) so you do not miss an episode. Visit The Choir Guys’ website here: https://thechoirguyspod.weebly.com/ Subscribe to our Newsletter! https://the-choir-guys-newsletter.beehiiv.com/subscribe Want to become a sponsor of the podcast? Email us at thechoirguyspod@gmail.com. Download the full podcast here: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-choir-guys/id1730260085 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1vQx1T5IYKNs5ztnOkuVns Follow The Choir Guys on Social Media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556415050610 Twitter: https://twitter.com/thechoirguyspod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechoirguyspod/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thechoirguyspod Sponsors: Sight Reading Factory: sightreadingfactory.com Kansas Maid Frozen Pastries: kansasmaid.com Endeavor Music Publishing: endeavormusicpublishing.com Encore Tours: encoretours.com S-Cubed: teacherspayteachers.com/Product/S-Cubed-Sight-Singing-Program-Level-ONE-Original-Power-Point-Version-1208701 Class Intercom: classintercom.com Gateway Sheet Music: https://gatewaysheetmusic.com/ Haymes Insurance: https://haymesinsurance.com/ Pavane Publishing: https://www.pavanepublishing.com/ GIA/Walton Music: https://giamusic.com/walton-music

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  Episode #18

  Doppelgangers, Starting ICCI, and Composing about Brassieres with Sherry Blevins | Ep 36

  Apr 28, 202640 minS3

  Welcome to this episode of The Choir Guys Podcast! In this episode, we sit down with award-winning composer, lyricist, and educator Sherry Blevins for a conversation full of creativity, insight, and inspiration. As the Founder and Director of the International Choral Composers Institute, Sherry shares her journey into composition, her passion for collaborative music-making, and how her works—performed around the world—aim to bring hope, life, and light to singers and audiences alike. We talk about her experience supervising student teachers, the impact of mentorship in music education, and what led her to create the International Choral Composers Institute. Sherry also gives us a behind-the-scenes look at her compositional process and reflects on some of her favorite (and least favorite!) pieces. Whether you’re a composer, conductor, or educator, this episode offers valuable perspective on creating meaningful music, supporting the next generation of musicians, and building a life centered around artistry and purpose. We hope you find our discussions helpful, entertaining, and applicable. If you have any questions or topics you would like us to cover, please email us at thechoirguyspod@gmail.com, or simply message us on social media - @thechoirguyspod. We will be back in a few weeks with a new episode! Make sure to follow us on our social media pages (linked below) so you do not miss an episode. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlvZAjCwg9c Visit The Choir Guys’ website here: https://thechoirguyspod.weebly.com/ Subscribe to our Newsletter! https://the-choir-guys-newsletter.beehiiv.com/subscribe Want to become a sponsor of the podcast? Email us at thechoirguyspod@gmail.com. Download the full podcast here: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-choir-guys/id1730260085 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1vQx1T5IYKNs5ztnOkuVns Follow The Choir Guys on Social Media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556415050610 Twitter: https://twitter.com/thechoirguyspod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechoirguyspod/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thechoirguyspod Sponsors: Sight Reading Factory: sightreadingfactory.com Kansas Maid Frozen Pastries: kansasmaid.com Endeavor Music Publishing: endeavormusicpublishing.com Encore Tours: encoretours.com S-Cubed: teacherspayteachers.com/Product/S-Cubed-Sight-Singing-Program-Level-ONE-Original-Power-Point-Version-1208701 Class Intercom: classintercom.com Gateway Sheet Music: https://gatewaysheetmusic.com/

  ListenShow Notes
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  Episode #17

  Making Text Matter, Attaining Calf Skin, & Secret Eric Whitacre Stories with Tony Silvestri | Ep 35

  Apr 7, 202654 minS3

  Welcome to this episode of The Choir Guys Podcast! In this episode, we are honored to welcome Tony Silvestri—poet, author, composer, and widely regarded as one of the most influential choral lyricists of our time. With over seventy published works in collaboration with more than one hundred composers, Tony’s texts have shaped some of the most beloved choral pieces in the repertoire, including collaborations with Eric Whitacre, Dan Forrest, Ola Gjeilo, and more. We explore Tony’s remarkable journey from a decades-long career in education to becoming a full-time writer and artist, as well as his creative process when crafting texts for choral music. He shares insights into what makes a powerful collaboration between composer and poet and the stories behind some of his most well-known works. From performances in Carnegie Hall and the Vatican to recordings heard around the world—and even beyond—Tony’s words continue to inspire singers and audiences alike. This episode is a deep dive into the artistry behind the music and the power of words to elevate the choral experience. We hope you find our discussions helpful, entertaining, and applicable. If you have any questions or topics you would like us to cover, please email us at thechoirguyspod@gmail.com, or simply message us on social media - @thechoirguyspod. We will be back in a few weeks with a new episode! Make sure to follow us on our social media pages (linked below) so you do not miss an episode. Visit The Choir Guys’ website here: https://thechoirguyspod.weebly.com/ Subscribe to our Newsletter! https://the-choir-guys-newsletter.beehiiv.com/subscribe Want to become a sponsor of the podcast? Email us at thechoirguyspod@gmail.com. Download the full podcast here: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-choir-guys/id1730260085 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1vQx1T5IYKNs5ztnOkuVns Follow The Choir Guys on Social Media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556415050610 Twitter: https://twitter.com/thechoirguyspod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechoirguyspod/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thechoirguyspod Sponsors: Sight Reading Factory: sightreadingfactory.com Kansas Maid Frozen Pastries: kansasmaid.com Endeavor Music Publishing: endeavormusicpublishing.com Encore Tours: encoretours.com S-Cubed: teacherspayteachers.com/Product/S-Cubed-Sight-Singing-Program-Level-ONE-Original-Power-Point-Version-1208701 Class Intercom: classintercom.com Haymes Insurance: https://haymesinsurance.com/ Pavane Publishing: https://www.pavanepublishing.com/

  ListenShow Notes
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  Episode #16

  From Longitude and Latitude to Composing with Gratitude with Kyle Pederson | Ep 34

  Mar 24, 20261h 11mS3

  Welcome to this episode of The Choir Guys Podcast! In this episode, we sit down with award-winning composer, lyricist, and educator Kyle Pederson for a conversation centered on creativity, purpose, and the power of choral music to inspire change. Based in Minneapolis, Kyle shares his journey from teaching middle school geography to becoming a widely performed composer whose works are sung by ensembles around the world. We talk about how his time in the classroom continues to shape the way he writes text for choirs, his recent recording project All is Miracle with the ensemble Transept, and his philosophy of co-creation—empowering singers and directors to take ownership of the music they perform. Kyle also offers insight into writing at the intersection of the sacred and secular, and how his music seeks to invite hope, grace, and compassion into rehearsal rooms and concert halls alike. Whether you’re a teacher, conductor, or composer, this episode is filled with thoughtful ideas and inspiration you can bring directly into your own work. We hope you find our discussions helpful, entertaining, and applicable. If you have any questions or topics you would like us to cover, please email us at thechoirguyspod@gmail.com, or simply message us on social media - @thechoirguyspod. We will be back in a few weeks with a new episode! Make sure to follow us on our social media pages (linked below) so you do not miss an episode. Visit The Choir Guys’ website here: https://thechoirguyspod.weebly.com/ Subscribe to our Newsletter! https://the-choir-guys-newsletter.beehiiv.com/subscribe Want to become a sponsor of the podcast? Email us at thechoirguyspod@gmail.com. Download the full podcast here: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-choir-guys/id1730260085 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1vQx1T5IYKNs5ztnOkuVns Follow The Choir Guys on Social Media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556415050610 Twitter: https://twitter.com/thechoirguyspod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechoirguyspod/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thechoirguyspod Sponsors: Sight Reading Factory: sightreadingfactory.com Kansas Maid Frozen Pastries: kansasmaid.com Endeavor Music Publishing: endeavormusicpublishing.com Encore Tours: encoretours.com S-Cubed: teacherspayteachers.com/Product/S-Cubed-Sight-Singing-Program-Level-ONE-Original-Power-Point-Version-1208701 Class Intercom: classintercom.com Haymes Insurance: https://haymesinsurance.com/ GIA/Walton Music: https://giamusic.com/walton-music Gateway Sheet Music: https://gatewaysheetmusic.com/

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