
Beyond the Measure: A Podcast for Music Educators
Christian and Kara Fortner
Listen as Christian, a young composer, and Kara, a young choir director, interview music teachers of all kinds in order to learn everything they can about music education. This is the perfect podcast for beginning and veteran music educators alike, as well as composers and music students. Whether you teach choir, band, orchestra, or something else, all are welcome! It's time to go beyond the measure.
Brought to you by Christian Fortner Music.
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Top 10 Beyond the Measure: A Podcast for Music Educators Episodes
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#16: The Makers of Music and the Dreamers of Dreams
Beyond the Measure: A Podcast for Music Educators
08/15/22 • 14 min
Have a guest recommendation? Let us know!
As the school year begins, we wanted to simply share with you all some words of encouragement. Please take them to heart as you begin and continue throughout the school year, and remember that what do matters. What you do changes lives. And therefore, what you do changes the world.
Follow our official Instagram page and become a part of the community!
Browse Kara's TPT Store!
Want a free piece of music for your ensemble to perform? Join Christian's mailing list!
https://www.christianfortnermusic.com/mailings

#23: How Composers Can HELP Music Educators | With Luke McMillan
Beyond the Measure: A Podcast for Music Educators
12/19/22 • 54 min
Have a guest recommendation? Let us know!
This week, we sit down with composer Luke McMillan, who is very well-known for creating accessible marching shows for small school band programs. Luke tells us how he came to become a full-time composer and the strategies he uses to be a resource to band directors and other music educators across the country.
Follow our official Instagram page and become a part of the community!
Browse Kara's TPT Store!
Connect with Luke:
Website: https://lukemcmillanmusic.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lukemcmillan/?hl=en
Facebook: https://es-la.facebook.com/lukemcmillanmusic/
Luke McMillan is a composer, arranger, and designer for the marching arts. Luke has been writing music professionally since 2005 and has composed and arranged full-time since 2015. Luke’s music is regularly heard at numerous competitive circuits, including BOA, USBands, and multiple local and state-sanctioned events across the country. Luke’s music has been played by several state marching band finalists and medalists around the country and has been described as achievable and fun for the performers, and entertaining and engaging for the audience.
Before becoming a full-time composer/arranger, Luke was as a band director for 11 years at Wylie High School in Abilene, TX. During his time at Wylie, Luke designed the shows for and co-taught the Wylie “Pure Gold” Marching Band, which advanced to the state marching contest several times playing his music. Luke also directed the Symphonic Band which earned consistent sweepstakes awards, and the Wylie High School Jazz Band, which earned “Best in Class” awards for most jazz festivals they attended.
Luke is a 2003 graduate of The University of North Texas holding a Bachelor of Music degree. While attending UNT, he played in the marching band, concert band, and nationally recognized jazz lab bands. Luke lives and works in his hometown of Abilene, TX.
Want a free piece of music for your ensemble to perform? Join Christian's mailing list!
https://www.christianfortnermusic.com/mailings

#13: How Classroom Structure Sets the Stage for Success | With Wendy Weeks
Beyond the Measure: A Podcast for Music Educators
07/25/22 • 71 min
Have a guest recommendation? Let us know!
This week, Wendy Weeks, head choral director at Abilene High School, joins us to talk about the importance of having structure in your classroom from day 1, and how it affects the rest of the teaching and learning experience for both you and your students.
Follow our official Instagram page and become a part of the community!
Follow the Abilene High School choirs on Instagram!
https://www.instagram.com/abilenehighchoirs/?hl=en
A music educator of twenty-eight years, Wendy Weeks is serving her sixth year as Director of Choirs at Abilene High School. Mrs. Weeks proudly hails from the outstanding music programs of the Abilene Independent School District, singing under the direction of Don Scargall at Madison Junior High, and Bobbie Sumerlin and Barbara Perkins at Cooper High School. While in high school, Wendy had the privilege of performing the Brahms Requiem in the 1989 TMEA Texas All-State Choir under the direction of Robert Shaw.
Mrs. Weeks earned the Bachelor of Music degree from Abilene Christian University, where she majored in Music Education and Vocal Performance. As a member of the ACU A Cappella Choir, she performed a concert at TMEA. As a vocal student of Julie Pruett, she participated in NATS competitions, opera and oratorio performances, musical theatre productions, and served as an ACU Sing Song Hostess. She was awarded the Janey Nance Hall Music Scholarship in her senior year at ACU.
In 1995, she began her teaching career at Cooper High School as Assistant Choral Director with her former choir teacher and mentor, Barbara Perkins. From 2000 to 2011, Mrs. Weeks taught elementary music at College Heights and Jackson Elementary schools. College Heights Elementary School honored Mrs. Weeks in 2002 by naming her Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Weeks furthered her music education during the summers earning her Kodaly Certification through the West Texas Kodaly Initiative in 2008.
From 2011 to 2017, Mrs. Weeks served as Choral Director at Craig Middle School, where she also acted as the Fine Arts/Electives Chairperson. Under her leadership, the choral program grew from 120 students to one that served almost 300 students. The Craig Choir annually placed many students in the TMEA Region XVI South Zone Honor Choirs, and consistently earned Sweepstakes ratings at UIL Concert & Sightreading contest each spring. In 2014 and again in 2016 respectively, the Craig Concert Boys Choir and Concert Girls Choir were selected as Invited Performing Choirs to the Texas Music Educators Association’s annual convention in San Antonio.
Mrs. Weeks currently holds memberships in ACDA, TCDA, ACDA, OAKE, TMAA, as well as TMEA, where she has served as Middle School Choir Coordinator. She is active as an adjudicator and as a clinician. Mrs. Weeks sings in the Sanctuary Choir at First Baptist Church, Abilene, and previously held the position of Children’s Choir Coordinator. Wendy and her husband, John, are proud parents of three daughters, Hayley, Whitney, and Courtney.
Browse Kara's TPT Store!
Want a free piece of music for your ensemble to perform? Join Christian's mailing list!
https://www.christianfortnermusic.com/mailings

#4: The Biggest Lessons Learned from Robert Shaw & Don Neuen | With Dee Romines
Beyond the Measure: A Podcast for Music Educators
05/02/22 • 78 min
Have a guest recommendation? Let us know!
Dee Romines, Director of Choral Activities at Hardin-Simmons University, joins us on this episode to discuss his time singing and studying with legendary conductors Don Neuen and Robert Shaw and the some of the biggest lessons he learned during his time with them. We also get to hear his unique perspective on teaching both band and choir, and the differences that he has observed in the culture and teaching technique required for each ensemble.
Follow our official Instagram page and become a part of the community!
Connect with the Hardin-Simmons choir!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hsutxchoir/
Learn more about the Hardin-Simmons School of Music!
https://www.hsutx.edu/academics/schools-colleges/college-liberal-arts/music-opportunities/
Chorus Abilene: https://chorusabilene.org/
Dee Romines earned the Bachelor of Science degree in instrumental music education from the University of Tennessee, the Master of Music in choral conducting from the Eastman School of Music, and the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in choral conducting from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. His principal teachers were Dr. Eph Ehly, Dr. W J Julian, Dr. Donald Neuen, and Dr. Charles Robinson.
At HSU, Romines teaches courses in choral music education, undergraduate and graduate conducting, supervises student teachers, directs the HSU Concert Choir and Chorale, and directs all aspects of the choral program. Prior to his appointment at HSU, Romines held similar music education positions at the University of Georgia and the University of Missouri-Kansas City. From 1987 to 1998, he was the academy choral director at Punahou School in Honolulu, Hawaii. Additional experience includes teaching elementary, middle, and high school instrumental music in Kentucky, Georgia, Tennessee, and Missouri, as well as directing church and community choirs.
Professional affiliations: American Choral Directors Association, Texas Music Educators Association, National Collegiate Choral Organization, and Pi Kappa Lambda.
Browse Kara's TPT Store!
Want a free piece of music for your ensemble to perform? Join Christian's mailing list!
https://www.christianfortnermusic.com/mailings

#20: Uniting Different Ensembles and Experiences | With Allison King
Beyond the Measure: A Podcast for Music Educators
10/24/22 • 65 min
Have a guest recommendation? Let us know!
We are very excited to bring our first guest with an orchestral background onto the show! Mrs. Allison King is the orchestra director at L.D. Bell High School in Hurst, Texas. Allison brings a variety of insight for directors finding their first gigs, teaching string orchestra, and coordinating with other directors to create a full orchestra experience for students.
Follow our official Instagram page and become a part of the community!
Browse Kara's TPT Store!
Check out the L.D. Bell Orchestra's website: https://www.ldbellorchestra.com/
Follow the L.D. Bell Orchestra on Social Media!
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKMBibiEDH8IqrZ4-O1wy-Q
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ldbellhsorchestra
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ldbhsorchestra
Mrs. King became the director of orchestras at L.D. Bell High School in 2010. In her first year, she led the L.D. Bell Symphony Orchestra to its first sweepstakes performance as a varsity string organization at the UIL concert and sight reading competition and founded the L.D. Bell Full Symphony Orchestra. Since taking over the L.D. Bell Orchestra program, the program has tripled in size, and the varsity Symphony Orchestra has earned consistent sweepstakes ratings at the UIL Concert and Sight reading competition. The Symphony Orchestra has performed with many world-renowned artists, and the varsity full and varsity string orchestras have been commended and national winners of the Mark of Excellence National Orchestra Honors competition five times in the past five years. In 2017, the varsity full orchestra made its debut performance at Carnegie Hall in New York. In 2019, the Symphony string orchestra made the finals of the TMEA Honor Orchestra competition.
Mrs. King is now in her twenty second year of teaching. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Cello Performance from the University of Southern California where she studied with Ronald Leonard, the former principal cellist of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. She also holds a Master of Music in Music Education and a Certificate in Cello Performance from the University of Texas at Arlington, where she studied with Dr. Elizabeth Morrow. She has also had the privilege of studying with Ira Lehn, former principal cellist of the Philadelphia Orchestra, Pamela Frame of the Eastman School, and in her early years was the stand-in soloist for Yo-Yo Ma with the World Youth Symphony where she also appeared on "60 Minutes" with Yo-Yo Ma. In 2005, Mrs. King was inducted into Pi Kappa Lambda, the National Music Honor Society. She has been a member of the American String Teachers Association for over 25 years, and is currently a member of the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Music Adjudicators Association, and the Texas Orchestra Directors Association. She is also the orchestra chair for TMEA Region 31.
Want a free piece of music for your ensemble to perform? Join Christian's mailing list!
https://www.christianfortnermusic.com/mailings

#12: Patience and Authenticity as a Composer and Teacher | With Remel Derrick
Beyond the Measure: A Podcast for Music Educators
07/18/22 • 62 min
Have a guest recommendation? Let us know!
In this week's episode, choral composer and assistant choral director at Abilene High School, Remel Derrick joins us on the podcast to discuss his composition and publishing processes, as well as how it applies to the classroom and our lives overall. This is a great episode for teachers who are just beginning to dip their toes into composition, and likewise for young composers who are just beginning to work on getting their music published and ready for the classroom.
Follow our official Instagram page and become a part of the community!
Purchase Remel's music on J.W. Pepper:
https://www.jwpepper.com/myscore/RemelDerrick
For requesting commissions and other inquiries, contact Remel at [email protected]
Remel M. Derrick (b. 1981) Composer, Conductor and Church musician is a music graduate of Southwestern Christian College and Abilene Christian University. His collegiate experiences include being the student director of the Southwestern Christian College A Cappella Chorus, and music director for Summer Tour, an a cappella touring ensemble. As a professional singer he has performed with the Abilene Chamber Singers, and Chorus Abilene. Remel is the Associate Director of Choirs at Abilene High School in Abilene, Texas where he shares in the responsibilities of directing both varsity and non-varsity choirs, as well as teaching AP Music Theory. While at Abilene High School, Remel has music directed and/or conducted the orchestra for several musicals, including, Drowsy Chaperone, Big Fish, Seussical and Oklahoma! His professional affiliations include, Texas Music Educators Association, and Texas Choral Directors Association. An accomplished composer, Remel's compositions are self-published with his company, Summit Pointe Music Publishing (BMI), and he also has two works published with Walton Music Corporation. A native of Dallas, Texas, Remel currently resides in Abilene, Texas with his wife Angela, their daughter Caylie, and their Mini Aussie, Asher.
Browse Kara's TPT Store!
Want a free piece of music for your ensemble to perform? Join Christian's mailing list!
https://www.christianfortnermusic.com/mailings

#42: The Power of Traditions in an Ensemble | With Jay Lester (Part 2)
Beyond the Measure: A Podcast for Music Educators
11/18/24 • 41 min
Have a guest recommendation? Let us know!
In the second part of our interview with HSU Cowboy Band Director Jay Lester, we learn about the different traditions the he incorporates in his band - and how traditions in your own ensemble can bring a greater sense of community to the group.
Download the show notes for this episode HERE.
Follow our official Instagram page and become a part of the community!
Browse Kara's TPT Store!
Connect with the Hardin-Simmons "World Famous" Cowboy Band!
Website: https://www.hsutx.edu/about-hsu/the-hsu-difference/hsu-traditions/cowboy-band/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twf_cowboy_band/
Want a free piece of music for your ensemble to perform? Join Christian's mailing list!
https://www.christianfortnermusic.com/mailings

#22: Creating Enthusiasm Through Ensemble Innovation | With Darcy Radcliffe
Beyond the Measure: A Podcast for Music Educators
11/21/22 • 48 min
Have a guest recommendation? Let us know!
Darcy Radcliffe, former orchestra director at Abilene and Cooper High Schools, created a new type of string orchestra ensemble called Revolution Strings. After experiencing many incredible successes with the group, she has joined us on this week's episode to give insight as to how she created it, what steps she took to generate interest, and how other music directors can find creative new ways to increase interest in performing music.
Follow our official Instagram page and become a part of the community!
Browse Kara's TPT Store!
Follow Darcy social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085921145160
Check out Revolution Strings!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/revostrings/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/revostrings/?hl=en
Twitter: https://twitter.com/revostrings?lang=en
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/revolution-strings/1239966311
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2ZF9khohh1wLaeWgTUV6r6?si=L6ma3wN8RWuFEy5gHU7pnA
Darcy Radcliffe maintains a Private Violin/Viola Studio and is the creator of the internationally acclaimed fiddle group, "Revolution Strings" which has been featured on the National Public Radio show "From the Top.” She received her Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance from Hardin Simmons University where she studied with Ms. Celeste Myall. Mrs. Radcliffe is the recipient of several awards including the 2006 winner of the American String Teachers Association's (ASTA) Marjorie Keller Young Teacher of the Year Award in recognition of outstanding promise in string education, 2011 Teacher of the Year through the Abilene Spotlight on Education program, 2012 Most Outstanding Faculty Member and Ring of Honor recipient for Cooper HS, 2014 recipient of the Top 20 under 40 leaders for the city of Abilene. In 2017 her work as an educator was featured in the eleventh annual publication of Texas School Business ‘Bragging Rights’ magazine.
Mrs. Radcliffe also serves as a clinician and an adjudicator for orchestras in the state of Texas and has been an active member of the Texas Music Adjudicator’s Association. Mrs. Radcliffe was offered an ongoing endorsement from the D’Addario music company for her fiddle group, Revolution Strings. Revolution Strings has performed at several conventions including the American String Teachers Association national conference, the National Association of Secondary School Principals conference, the Texas Music Educators Association convention and the National Association of School Boards convention, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development of Texas conference, and the Texas Music Administrators Conference. They have also performed with Grammy award winning artists such as Mark and Maggie O’Connor, David Ragsdale of Kansas, Barrage, Asleep at the Wheel, Riders in the Sky, Mark Preston of the Lettermen, The Quebe Sisters Band, Gary Morris, Alasdair Fraser, Natalie Haas and The Hot Club of Cowtown and Christian How
Want a free piece of music for your ensemble to perform? Join Christian's mailing list!
https://www.christianfortnermusic.com/mailings

#6: The Importance of Relationships with Mentors, Colleagues, and Students | With Bill Harden
Beyond the Measure: A Podcast for Music Educators
05/16/22 • 77 min
Have a guest recommendation? Let us know!
Mr. Bill Harden, director of bands at Hardin-Simmons University, tells us about the many different people that made an impact on his career and made it possible for him to be where he is today. We discuss the importance of maintaining relationships with the people around us and how we can use those relationships as an opportunity to learn and grow.
Follow our official Instagram page and become a part of the community!
Find out more about the "World Famous" Cowboy Band:
https://www.cowboybandfoundation.org/
Follow the Cowboy Band on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/twf_cowboy_band/?hl=en
Mr. Bill Harden graduated from Hardin-Simmons in 1986 with a Bachelors in Music Education and continued his education at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music earning the Master of Music in Bassoon Performance degree in 1988.
Prior to coming to HSU, he taught for 30 years in Odessa, Texas including two years as an Assistant Band Director at Odessa High School and eight years as the Band Director at Bowie Junior High School. The final twenty years, he was the Director of Bands at Odessa High School where his bands earned consistent sweepstakes awards in UIL Marching Contest and Concert and Sight Reading Evaluations. He also led the band on trips to New York City, Washington D.C., Orlando, Chicago, St Louis, and Hawaii, and in 2004, marched in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California. He also served for one year as the Orchestra Director at OHS and received the sweepstakes award at Concert and Sight Reading Evaluation, the first for the students in the program.
In addition to his duties at OHS, Mr. Harden also served as adjunct faculty at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin where he taught conducting and Secondary Music Education methods. He has also played Assistant Principal Bassoon in the Midland-Odessa Symphony for 29 years and served as Principal in the 1996-97 season. In 1997, he presented a clinic entitled “Teaching the Intermediate Bassoon Player” at the TBA Summer conference.
In 2013, Mr. Harden received the Marcia McEntyre Zoffutto Hero Award for his dedication to the students in the Permian Basin. Named for the daughter of JR McEntyre, herself an award-winning Music Educator, the award is given to music educators in the Permian Basin who have devoted extensive time and energy into helping a music education program in west Texas.
Mr. Harden holds membership in the Texas Music Educators Association, the Texas Bandmasters Association, the Texas Music Adjudicators Association and Phi Beta Mu, International Band Fraternity. He helped found YES West Texas and Big Country Y.E.S. (Young Educators Symposium), a series of professional development opportunities for young music educators and for the young at heart!
Browse Kara's TPT Store!
Want a free piece of music for your ensemble to perform? Join Christian's mailing list!
https://www.christianfortnermusic.com/mailings

#21: How Band Directors Handle an Onslaught of Necessary Planning | With Jon Kraemer
Beyond the Measure: A Podcast for Music Educators
11/07/22 • 56 min
Have a guest recommendation? Let us know!
For music educators, the constant task of having to observe, evaluate, and improve is imperative for having a successful experience for students. However, this habit, paired with the overwhelming amount of tasks needed to be done each week can lead to huge amounts of stress. In this episode, Dr. Jon Kraemer, Head Band Director at Abilene High School, joins us to discuss how band directors handle the extensive planning process required from season to season while maintaining a healthy mindset.
Follow our official Instagram page and become a part of the community!
Browse Kara's TPT Store!
Connect with the Abilene High School Band!
Website: http://www.eagleband.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abilenehighband/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abilenehighband/?hl=en
Dr. Kraemer began teaching in 2006. A native of the DFW metroplex, he graduated from Waxahachie HS in 1998. He went on to East Texas Baptist University where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education in 2002, and then to Texas Tech University where he earned both a Master's of Conducting in 2004, and a Ph.D. in Fine Arts: Musicology in 2009. Dr. Kraemer is now in his 16th year teaching. Prior to coming to Abilene, Dr. Kraemer was the Director of Bands for Pampa ISD for 3 years and the Director of Bands at Roosevelt ISD for 7 years before that. Dr. Kraemer was an Assistant Director at Abilene High during the 2017-18 school year before assuming the role of Director of Bands at AHS. Dr. Kraemer’s specialty is brass with an emphasis in Trumpet. Dr. Kraemer is also a member of the adjunct teaching faculty of the Hardin-Simmons University College of Fine Arts. Dr. Kraemer and his wife are co-authors of the book, “The Band Director’s Guide to Success”, a 2016 Oxford University Press publication. Dr. Kraemer’s family includes his wife, Michelle, and their three children.
Want a free piece of music for your ensemble to perform? Join Christian's mailing list!
https://www.christianfortnermusic.com/mailings
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FAQ
How many episodes does Beyond the Measure: A Podcast for Music Educators have?
Beyond the Measure: A Podcast for Music Educators currently has 48 episodes available.
What topics does Beyond the Measure: A Podcast for Music Educators cover?
The podcast is about Teaching, Interview, Music, Performing, Band, Podcasts and Education.
What is the most popular episode on Beyond the Measure: A Podcast for Music Educators?
The episode title '#21: How Band Directors Handle an Onslaught of Necessary Planning | With Jon Kraemer' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Beyond the Measure: A Podcast for Music Educators?
The average episode length on Beyond the Measure: A Podcast for Music Educators is 53 minutes.
How often are episodes of Beyond the Measure: A Podcast for Music Educators released?
Episodes of Beyond the Measure: A Podcast for Music Educators are typically released every 14 days.
When was the first episode of Beyond the Measure: A Podcast for Music Educators?
The first episode of Beyond the Measure: A Podcast for Music Educators was released on Apr 25, 2022.
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