The Orchestra Teacher Podcast

The Orchestra Teacher Podcast is a show for string and orchestra educators at every level. Hosted by veteran orchestra director Dr. Charles Laux, each episode features conversations with master teachers, clinicians, composers, and leaders in music education. Topics include string pedagogy, rehearsal techniques, program building, recruitment, and sustaining a successful orchestra program. The podcast features practical ideas, real experiences, and professional inspiration and is designed to support orchestra teachers in and beyond the classroom.

The Orchestra Teacher Podcast is a education podcast hosted by Dr. Charles Laux, with 172 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Dr. Charles Laux hosts The Orchestra Teacher Podcast, a education show with 172 episodes published.

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  Episode #161

  161. From Zero to Orchestra: Building a Program That Lasts with Rachel Peña

  Sep 25, 202653 min

  Episode 161 — From Zero to Orchestra: Building a Program That Lasts with Rachel Peña What does it take to build an orchestra program from absolutely nothing? Rachel M. Peña Cardona knows. A violinist, conductor, educator, and program builder originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico, Rachel has founded four student orchestras throughout her career. In 2021, she became the founding orchestra director at Bearden Middle School in Tennessee and began building a program from the ground up. In this episode, Rachel shares the strategies, challenges, and relationships that helped transform that program into a thriving orchestra community—and how she has secured nearly $80,000 in grants and donations along the way. We talk about grant writing, community partnerships, building an instrument inventory, recruiting and retaining students, working with administrators, collaborating with other music teachers, and making sure students have equal access to music during the school day. Rachel also shares some of her favorite classroom strategies, including “Dark Mode,” Secret Quartet, the Sixth Grade Instrument Ceremony, multi-level orchestra experiences, and creative ways to help students learn how to recover when they get lost. Most importantly, Rachel's story is about starting somewhere . You don't have to have everything figured out before you begin. Sometimes you simply have to see the need, tell your story, build relationships, and take the first step. A great conversation for anyone starting an orchestra program—or anyone looking to grow the one they already have. About Rachel Peña Rachel M. Peña Cardona is a string educator, violinist, conductor, and program builder with 22 years of experience in education. Originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico, she has taught music, orchestra, violin, French, and Spanish in Puerto Rico and Tennessee. She earned a bachelor's degree in Violin Performance from the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico and a master's degree in String Performance from the University of Tennessee. She has performed with ensembles including the Puerto Rico Philharmonic Orchestra and University of Tennessee Symphony Orchestra and has served as a concertmaster and soloist. Rachel has founded four student orchestras throughout her career and currently serves as the founding orchestra director at Bearden Middle School in Tennessee. Her greatest goal is to help students develop not only musical skills, but a lifelong love of music and the confidence to continue making music throughout their lives. #OrchestraTeacher #StringEducation #MusicEducation #Orchestra #MusicTeacher #StringTeacher #OrchestraDirector #MusicEducationPodcast #TheOrchestraTeacherPodcast — SPONSORS AND REFERRAL LINKS — Looking to plan a great orchestra trip? Kaleidoscope Adventures has been planning performance travel beyond expectations for more than 30 years. https://www.kaleidoscopeadventures.com Want to find some classic repertoire or looking for something different and new? Check out Keiser Productions! https://www.keiserproductions.com Looking for things on Amazon? Use my referral link: ⁠https://amzn.to/3RkfRLk⁠ Do you keep a monthly budget? If not, try You Need a Budget! It’s a great app/website that helps keep your finances on track. ⁠https://tinyurl.com/TheOrchestraTeacherYNAB⁠ Do you have cable? Cut the cord and check out YouTube TV! It works on mobile, Smart TVs, the web and more! ⁠https://tv.youtube.com/referral/r22irzcuy7jshi⁠ Resources and more information at ⁠www.orchestrateacher.net⁠

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  Episode #160

  160. Using Your Powers for Good: Innovation in Orchestra with Justin Brookins

  Sep 18, 202636 min

  Episode 160: Justin Brookins From viola performance to high school orchestra—and from 3-D printed shoulder rests to advocating for the future of music programs—Justin Brookins has taken a fascinating path through music education. In this episode, Dr. Charles Laux talks with Justin, Director of Orchestras and Guitar at Druid Hills High School in Atlanta, Georgia, about his journey from Georgia to Arizona and back again, his experiences as a professional performer, and the experiences that ultimately pulled him toward teaching. Justin talks candidly about teaching in a Title I district, working with students across multiple age levels, learning to teach beginning band as a string player, and discovering the importance of community and support for new teachers. The conversation also dives into one of Justin's passions: 3-D printing . After receiving an innovation grant, Justin began exploring how students could design and print their own musical instruments. That experience opened the door to practical classroom applications—including inexpensive shoulder rests, mutes, guitar picks, music stand accessories, replacement parts, and even 3-D printed instruments. Justin and Charles also discuss the very real challenges of building and maintaining orchestra programs, including scheduling, recruiting, shrinking enrollment, advocacy, and finding ways to make sure administrators and families understand the value of what we do. This is a conversation about innovation, resilience, community, advocacy, and finding creative ways to keep orchestra accessible to students. Topics: music education • viola • teaching • professional performance • 3-D printing • classroom technology • recruiting • advocacy • program building • community • innovation — SPONSORS AND REFERRAL LINKS — Looking to plan a great orchestra trip? Kaleidoscope Adventures has been planning performance travel beyond expectations for more than 30 years. https://www.kaleidoscopeadventures.com Want to find some classic repertoire or looking for something different and new? Check out Keiser Productions! https://www.keiserproductions.com Looking for things on Amazon? Use my referral link: ⁠https://amzn.to/3RkfRLk⁠ Do you keep a monthly budget? If not, try You Need a Budget! It’s a great app/website that helps keep your finances on track. ⁠https://tinyurl.com/TheOrchestraTeacherYNAB⁠ Do you have cable? Cut the cord and check out YouTube TV! It works on mobile, Smart TVs, the web and more! ⁠https://tv.youtube.com/referral/r22irzcuy7jshi⁠ Resources and more information at ⁠www.orchestrateacher.net⁠

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  Episode #139

  159. Teaching Beyond the Notes: Creativity, Assessment & Musicality with Abby Alwin

  Sep 11, 202656 min

  Episode 159: Teaching Beyond the Notes: Creativity, Assessment & Musicality with Abby Alwin How can we make assessment more meaningful, encourage students to take musical risks, and keep creativity at the center of our orchestra classrooms? In this episode, Dr. Charles Laux talks with Abigail Alwin , Director of Orchestras at Clague Middle School in Ann Arbor, Michigan. A Michigan String Teacher of the Year and Yale Distinguished Music Educator, Abby has spent more than two decades teaching young musicians while continually exploring new ways to help students become independent, confident musicians. Abby shares practical strategies for peer assessment, assessment literacy, efficient playing tests, classroom routines, practice expectations, and teaching technique without overwhelming students. She explains how isolating individual skills—rather than trying to assess everything at once—can make assessment more useful for both students and teachers. The conversation takes a fascinating turn into Abby's life as a performing musician, including her work with Balkan music, the Bulgarian gadulka , improvisation, and her efforts to maintain a meaningful musical life outside of school. Charles and Abby also explore improvisation and composition with middle school students , including creative projects inspired by The Lorax , and discuss how giving students opportunities to create can uncover musical strengths that traditional assessments may overlook. It's a wide-ranging conversation about teaching, creativity, musicianship, professional growth, and the importance of continually putting ourselves in the position of being learners. Topics: assessment • peer learning • classroom routines • practice • improvisation • composition • creativity • Balkan music • teacher musicianship • professional development • healthy risk-taking bout Abigail Alwin Abigail Alwin is a multi-faceted musician and educator who has taught in the Ann Arbor Public Schools for more than 20 years. She holds a bachelor's degree in cello performance and a master's degree in music education from the University of Michigan. Her orchestras at Clague Middle School have been selected three times to perform at the Michigan Music Conference, and her ensembles consistently earn Division I ratings at MSBOA Festival. As a performer, Abby explores Western classical traditions, Balkan music, free improvisation, and the ways music expresses culture and connection. She regularly performs with the Balkan-inspired ensemble Ajde Aman. She is deeply committed to providing all students with meaningful access to music education and has presented nationally on teacher wellness, string pedagogy, assessment, mentoring, composition, and other topics. — SPONSORS AND REFERRAL LINKS — Looking to plan a great orchestra trip? Kaleidoscope Adventures has been planning performance travel beyond expectations for more than 30 years. https://www.kaleidoscopeadventures.com Want to find some classic repertoire or looking for something different and new? Check out Keiser Productions! https://www.keiserproductions.com Looking for things on Amazon? Use my referral link: ⁠https://amzn.to/3RkfRLk⁠ Do you keep a monthly budget? If not, try You Need a Budget! It’s a great app/website that helps keep your finances on track. ⁠https://tinyurl.com/TheOrchestraTeacherYNAB⁠ Do you have cable? Cut the cord and check out YouTube TV! It works on mobile, Smart TVs, the web and more! ⁠https://tv.youtube.com/referral/r22irzcuy7jshi⁠ Resources and more information at ⁠www.orchestrateacher.net⁠

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  Episode #158

  158. Richard Meyer: Teaching, Composing, Rehearsing, and Sharing What We Know

  Sep 4, 202639 min

  Episode 158 – Richard Meyer: Teaching, Composing, Rehearsing, and Sharing What We Know In Episode 158, Dr. Charles Laux welcomes legendary string educator and composer Richard Meyer to The Orchestra Teacher Podcast . Richard spent 35 years teaching string students in the public schools, including 22 years directing the orchestra program at Oak Avenue Intermediate School in Temple City, California, where he grew the program from 29 students to more than 200. He is also a nationally recognized composer with more than 200 compositions and arrangements in print, including Dragon Hunter , Sahara Crossing , Ides of Pegasus , and Of Glorious Plumage . Richard served as string editor for Alfred Publishing for 16 years and is a co-author of the popular String Explorer series. In this conversation, Richard shares his “Big Four” principles for successful rehearsals: Fast pacing Be mobile Teach to the back row Involve everyone at all times Richard also discusses teacher wellness, avoiding burnout, learning from colleagues, mentoring younger teachers, and why veteran educators have a responsibility to share what they know. Charles and Richard also dive into the creative process behind some of Richard's most popular compositions. He explains how writing for his own students shaped his music and discusses the importance of melody, harmony, orchestration, form, and surprise in creating music that challenges and engages young musicians. From the story behind Dragon Hunter to the unforgettable Ear-igami , this episode offers an inside look at the mind of a composer who understands the student orchestra from the perspective of both teacher and writer . A must-listen for orchestra teachers at every stage of their careers. Listen now and share the episode with a colleague! #OrchestraTeacherPodcast #OrchestraTeachers #StringTeachers #MusicEducation #StringEducation #MusicEd — SPONSORS AND REFERRAL LINKS — Looking to plan a great orchestra trip? Kaleidoscope Adventures has been planning performance travel beyond expectations for more than 30 years. https://www.kaleidoscopeadventures.com Want to find some classic repertoire or looking for something different and new? Check out Keiser Productions! https://www.keiserproductions.com Looking for things on Amazon? Use my referral link: ⁠https://amzn.to/3RkfRLk⁠ Do you keep a monthly budget? If not, try You Need a Budget! It’s a great app/website that helps keep your finances on track. ⁠https://tinyurl.com/TheOrchestraTeacherYNAB⁠ Do you have cable? Cut the cord and check out YouTube TV! It works on mobile, Smart TVs, the web and more! ⁠https://tv.youtube.com/referral/r22irzcuy7jshi⁠ Resources and more information at ⁠www.orchestrateacher.net⁠

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  Episode #157

  157. The “Forbidden” Skill of String Playing: Tuning Pegs, Agency & Innovation with Wesley Hamilton

  Aug 28, 202635 min

  Episode 157 – The “Forbidden” Skill of String Playing: Tuning Pegs, Agency & Innovation with Wesley Hamilton What if we've been teaching string players to fear one of the most important parts of their instruments? In Episode 157, Dr. Charles Laux talks with Wesley Catherine Hamilton , a violist, violinist, educator, researcher, and entrepreneur, about her groundbreaking work investigating the history and pedagogy of tuning pegs. Wesley is pursuing her DMA at the Peabody Conservatory at Johns Hopkins University and has conducted extensive research into how tuning pegs have been treated throughout the history of string education. Her research includes historical treatises, patents, and interviews with teachers, luthiers, peg makers, museum curators, and string players. She also created The Practice Peg , a risk-free device that allows violin, viola, and cello players to develop the physical skills necessary to use traditional tuning pegs without risking damage to their instruments. But this conversation is about much more than tuning. Wesley argues that teaching students to use their tuning pegs can help develop agency, confidence, and independence . If students are constantly told never to touch their pegs, they may never learn how to solve one of the most basic problems they will encounter as string players. Charles and Wesley discuss the physical mechanics of tuning, fine-motor coordination, traditional friction pegs, geared pegs, student independence, entrepreneurship, and what it means to give students greater ownership of their instruments. It's a fascinating conversation that may have you asking yourself: Are we teaching students to tune—or teaching them to be afraid of tuning? Topics discussed include: The “forbidden” nature of tuning pegs in string education Wesley's doctoral research on tuning-peg history and pedagogy Historical violin treatises and tuning-peg technology What string teachers actually teach students about tuning Fine-motor skills and the physical mechanics of tuning Developing student independence and agency Why fear of damaging instruments can prevent meaningful learning Geared pegs vs. traditional friction pegs The development of The Practice Peg Entrepreneurship and innovation in music education Wesley's path from the University of Georgia to Peabody Conservatory Teaching string methods to future music educators Making string education more accessible Contact Wesley Hamilton at thepracticepeg@gmail.com Listen to Episode 157 now! #OrchestraTeacherPodcast #OrchestraTeachers #StringTeachers #MusicEducation #StringEducation #Violin #Viola #Cello — SPONSORS AND REFERRAL LINKS — Looking to plan a great orchestra trip? Kaleidoscope Adventures has been planning performance travel beyond expectations for more than 30 years. https://www.kaleidoscopeadventures.com Want to find some classic repertoire or looking for something different and new? Check out Keiser Productions! https://www.keiserproductions.com Looking for things on Amazon? Use my referral link: ⁠https://amzn.to/3RkfRLk⁠ Do you keep a monthly budget? If not, try You Need a Budget! It’s a great app/website that helps keep your finances on track. ⁠https://tinyurl.com/TheOrchestraTeacherYNAB⁠ Do you have cable? Cut the cord and check out YouTube TV! It works on mobile, Smart TVs, the web and more! ⁠https://tv.youtube.com/referral/r22irzcuy7jshi⁠ Resources and more information at ⁠www.orchestrateacher.net⁠

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