From the Margins: What Music Theory Doesn't Want You To Know

In this episode, we ask and answer pedagogy questions in the spirit of becoming better teachers, sharing ideas, and best supporting students! Questions include:

(1) I have great content but my students are drooling on themselves. What do I do?

(2) It's 2025 and I'm embarrassed that my syllabus still has so many dead white male composers. (AKA I'm taking over this syllabus from someone else.) Where do I start to diversify my teaching? See our blog at from-the-margins.com for resources! 🎉

(3) I have a difficult relationship with a professor. What do I do?

(4) I’m new to teaching and I’m feeling stressed and nervous. How do I start?

Stay tuned for our next episode about vocal timbre and identity!

This episode features clips from the Vitamin String Quartet's "bad guy" (original by Billie Eilish), Chappell Roan's "Pink Pony Club," and Doechii's "DENIAL IS A RIVER."

Welcome to our new pod, From The Margins: What Music Theory Doesn't Want You To Know, a podcast party where we gossip about music theory’s deepest, darkest secrets... and you’re invited! 🎉
Our "Who Are We" preview episode drops January 1, and our first full episode, "A Tale of Two Academies," drops January 15. Join us for some laughs, some seriousness, and some piping hot tea coming soon!
This trailer features clips from Zoe Keating's song "Optimist."

In this episode, we continue talking about who gets to belong in both music academia and popular music genres, including Dolly Parton, Lil Nas X, Miley Cyrus, Beyoncé, Mickey Guyton, Florence Price, and Mari Esabel Valverde. Lesson plans, links, references are all available on our blog, from-the-margins.com - check it out!
Stay tuned for our next episode, "Dear K & K (pedagogy edition)," coming in mid-February!

This episode features clips from Florence Price's "Summer Moon" and "Clouds," both performed by Lara Downes; Mickey Guyton's "Black Like Me," four versions of "Jolene" by Dolly Parton, Lil Nas X, Miley Cyrus, Beyoncé; Price's "Sympathy," performed by Joshua Stewart and Deirdre Brenner; and Mari Esabel Valverde's "Border Lines," with text by Yesenia Montilla and performed by the Adams State University Chamber Choir and Marc Eaton, guitar.

Border Lines

Text by Yesenia Montilla

Music by Mari Esabel Valverde

"Maps: for Marcelo" Copyright © 2017 by Yesenia Montilla. Originally Published in Poem-A-Day on 28 March, 2017 by the Academy of American Poets. Used with Permission of the Author. Music Copyright © November 2017 by Mari Esabel Valverde (ASCAP). All Rights Reserved. Performance by Adams State University Chamber Choir and Marc Eaton, Guitar.

In this episode, we talk about structural inequities in two music academies: higher education and the popular recording industry. We ask, "who gets to belong?" in both spaces (hint: racial and gendered hierarchies affect both!) and reflect on our own experiences as music theory grad students. All of our links and references are available on our blog, from-the-margins.com - check it out!
Stay tuned for part 2, featuring case studies from each academy: music by Florence Price and Beyoncé!
This episode features clips from Florence Price's "Dream Ships," accompaniment performed by All Things Piano, and Beyoncé's "TEXAS HOLD 'EM."

Who are we? In this episode, we chat about who we are, what Thanksgiving sides we are, and how we got here. Tune in to learn more about your co-hosts, Kasey and Kaitlyn!