The Score
An Urban Music Education Podcast hosted by Eric and Justin. They provide tips and strategies through honest discussions about their experience teaching music in an Urban setting. The goal is to provide a positive and solution-based narrative to create more effective, compassionate and culturally relevant music educators.
Episodes
114 episodes
Ep. 113- Dr. Ruben James Alcala- NOT QUITE: The Quest for Identity in Music Education
In this week's episode, Eric and Justin get to interview Dr. Ruben James Alcala. Dr. Alcala serves as the Vocal and Elementary Music Coordinator for Fort Worth ISD. Listen in as we journey through a decorated career and the genesis story of how...
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Episode 113
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55:15
Ep. 112- Caring for Students Post-High School: Shining a Light on Authentic Relationships
In this week's episode, Eric and Justin dive into a conversation about the longevity of relationships built with students that extend beyond the band hall. We, as music educators, have a great opportunity to invest in our kids for now and for y...
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Episode 112
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40:08
Ep. 111: Dr. A. Jan Taylor- Mentorship in the 21st Century: Guiding Music Educators in a Digital World
In this week's episode, Eric and Justin dive into a beautiful conversation with a world-class educator who invested in the lives of both Eric and Justin. This episode features the well-decorated Dr. A. Jan Taylor. Dr. Taylor has taught at every...
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Episode 111
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54:05
Ep. 110: Adam Chitta- Deaf Students CAN be succesful in music!
In this week's episode, Eric and Justin dive into a beautiful conversation meeting the needs of every student. Specifically, our deaf students make up our various musical ensembles. To help us fully grasp this nuance, we had the pleasure of eng...
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Episode 110
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50:26
Ep. 109- Authenticity is the NAME of the Game: Developing a Strong Care for the Names of the Kids We Teach
In this week's episode, Eric and Justin dive into the beauty of a name. Not just any name but specifically the students' names in our programs. There is something to be said about getting a child's name right. Listen in as both Eric and Justin ...
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Episode 109
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51:02
Ep. 108- Sean Rodriguez- This and That: A Mariachi Directing Choir
In this week's episode, Eric and Justin get the great opportunity to connect with Mr. Sean Rodriguez. Mr. Rodriguez is the choir director at Southwest Legacy High School in San Antonio. Sean has such an interesting story of his journey into mus...
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Episode 108
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54:36
Ep. 107-After the Ratings: How to Prepare for Next Year
In this week's episode, Eric and Justin discuss the aftermath of the results. What do you do once the scores have been given and the final festival or adjudication performance has finished? It is such a hectic time of rehearsals, sectionals, an...
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Episode 107
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42:58
Ep. 106: Protecting Your Peace: Balancing Demands in Music Education
In this week's episode, Eric and Justin discuss the overworked and ever-tired aspect of music education. Both Eric and Justin walk down memory lane and remember the pivotal moments of their careers that raised a flag towards self-care. Listen i...
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Episode 106
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42:28
Ep. 105- Seize Your Opportunity: Ricardo Brown
In this week's episode, Eric and Justin catch up with Professor Ricardo Brown. Ricardo Brown is the Associate Director of Athletic and Wind Bands at the University of Connecticut. He also serves as the Co-Caption Head of the Sacramento Mandarin...
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Episode 105
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1:07:56
Ep. 104: Beyond Words: Colleague Reactions to the Symphony of Well-Spoken Communication
In this week's episode, Eric and Justin jump back in the saddle with a much-needed conversation about the art of communication. Specifically how it can hinder student progress when not valued. Both Eric and Justin have experiences where their a...
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Episode 104
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42:15
Ep. 103- The Hustle Outside of Music: Dr. Kelvin Jones
In this week's episode, Eric and Justin get the great opportunity to catch up with none other than Dr. Kelvin Jones. Dr. Jones is a world-class musician/educator and a product of The Jackson State University. He is the former director of the fa...
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58:08
Ep. 102- Head and Assistant Directors: A Match Forged Through Truth and Grace
In this week's episode, Eric and Justin discuss one of the most important relationships in the life of a band program. This relationship is none other than the head director and assistant director. This week's conversation pulls back the layers...
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45:11
Ep. 101- Dr. Andrew Hunter- This AND: Open to Innovation In a Traditional World
In this week's episode, Eric and Justin bring in their brother from another mother, Dr. Andrew Hunter, Director of Bands at the University of Texas El Paso. Dr. Hunter brings his convictions in this conversation about the concept of innovation ...
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59:18
Ep. 100- Four Years of Reflection, Service for Music Ed Podcasting
Well, it's finally here, episode 100, a momentous occasion and still slightly unbelievable. In this episode, Eric and Justin look forward by looking backward and reflecting on the work, the journey, and all the possibilities that lay ahead. Lis...
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Episode 100
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42:08
Ep. 99 Inclusive Notes: Exploring the Rich Tapestry of Latino Music Education
In this week's episode, Eric and Justin continue their conversation about Latino music education. Think of this week's episode as a part two of sorts as the light shines on Eric and his Latino experience as a student and music educator. Justin ...
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Episode 99
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45:16
Ep. 98- Celebrating Latino Culture and Heritage from a Black Music Educator's Perspective
In this week's episode, Eric and Justin discuss how you, as a music educator, can celebrate the culture and music of the Latino community in your program. This is a deep dive from the perspective of Justin’s point as a black educator. This vuln...
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Episode 98
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43:06
Episode 97 - Title I is Not One Size Fits All- There Are Levels to This
In this week's episode, Eric and Justin discuss the world of Title I schools. Eric and Justin have cut their teeth as educators in the Title I context, which can easily be typecasted as monolithic. Listen in as both hosts pull back the layers a...
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45:26
Ep. 96- Season 4- Back Like We Never left
Eric and Justin are back to kick off another season of The Score. We could not start this season without letting our listeners know about the new seasons of life we are in and how, even though they look different, the outcome is all the same. W...
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Episode 96
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50:48
Ep. 95- SUMMER BREAK! But with some BIG UPDATES from Eric & Justin
In this week's episode, Eric and Justin discuss some major changes that have taken place in their respective lives. Both Eric and Justin are excited about the new life changes and want to share them with our listeners. Don't miss out on these e...
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Episode 95
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44:54
Ep. 94- Don't Wait, CREATE!
In this week's episode, Eric and Justin passionately discuss knocking down doors of opportunities to create something new. This discussion is powered by the concept that we all have to do something to contribute to the world of music education....
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Episode 94
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41:19
Episode 93- The Wife, The Mom, The Educator, and The Brand- The Hard Truth of Finding Balance- Jasmine Fripp
In this week's episode, Eric and Justin had the great honor of talking with educator extraordinaire Jasmine Fripp. Jasmine Fripp is the Director of Choral Activities and General Music at Kipp Nashville Collegiate High School. Mrs. Fripp is an i...
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Episode 93
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54:14
Ep. 92- Article: My Pretend Music School- Ivan Trevino
In this week's episode, Eric narrates an article, "My Pretend Music School," from composer and percussionist Ivan Trevino. Ivan, an active educator, currently serves as a Lecturer in Percussion at the University of Texas at Austin. He is also c...
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Episode 92
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13:34
Episode 91- Trans Kids Belong: Nicolas Prosini & Ær Queen
In this week's episode, Eric and Justin get the chance to interview Nicolas Prosini & Ær Queen, two elementary school music teachers from Fairfax County Schools, Virginia. We explore the topic of trans kids in the music classroom and how mu...
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Episode 91
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52:01
Ep. 90-I’d Rather Not Be Saying This To You Right Now- Introverts in Music Education- Aaron Staebell
In this week's episode, Eric and Justin get the chance to interview Aaron Staebell. Mr. Staebell takes us into the world of a introverted music. This birds-eye view conversation will give every listener a great insight into why understand...
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Episode 90
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57:54
Ep. 89- Beyond The Ensemble- Music Education for the Other 80%: Meghan O'Connor-Vince
In this week's episode, Eric and Justin get the chance to interview Mrs. Meaghan O’Connor-Vince. Mrs. O’Connor-Vince teaches Music Technology at Barnstable High School in Hyannis, Massachusetts. Meaghan has a great journey as a prototypical ban...
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Episode 89
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57:58