Episode 86: A conversation with Philip Ewell

Paul, Jenn, and Ben share some of our favorite quotes from the seminal text "Teaching Approaches in Music Theory" by Michael R. Rogers. A legendary pedagogue, Dr. Rogers (1942-2025) was one of the founders of the Journal of Music Theory Pedagogy and his text is as inspirational and applicable today as it was when it was first published over forty years ago.

Paul, Jenn, and Ben talk with Dr. Stephen Rodgers, Edmund A. Cykler Chair in Music and Professor of Music Theory and Musicianship at the University of Oregon, about the keynote address he presented at this year's Texas Society for Music Theory's Annual Conference. In this illuminating conversion, Dr. Rodgers invites us to explore our own assumptions about the canon, whether it's the repertorial canon; our analytical canons, systems, and rules; or our own personal ways of engaging with music.

We are so excited to have four past guests on the podcast to revisit a panel discussion they gave at the 2024 Pedagogy Into Practice Conference titled "Unexpected Pivots: How a Mid-Career Job Change Can Rejuvenate Pedagogical Practice." This conversation dives into the challenges of mid-career academia, the importance of knowing your why, and the value of having a supportive community.

Paul, Jenn (she's back!), and Ben talk with Dr. Anna Gawboy, associate professor of music theory at The Ohio State University, about her work mentoring graduate theory students in the classroom and on their research.

Ben and Paul (Jenn unfortunately had technical problems getting on the call) welcome onto the show Dr. Philip Ewell, professor of music theory at Hunter College of the City University of New York and author of "On Music Theory." We have a fascinating and wide-ranging conversation with Phil on Russian string pedagogy, the experience of black classical musicians in Europe, and what the future might hold for our current students studying classical music.

Paul, Jenn, and Ben are back after a wee bit of a hiatus. They discuss the evolving challenges they face in academia and the expanded responsibilities that have come with their growing roles at their respective universities, while still finding joy in their work—and yes, they're still teaching music theory!

We are thrilled to kick off our fifth season by interviewing Dr. Frank Lehman, Associate Professor of Music at Tufts University. One of the premiere theorists in the area of film music, Frank shares with us about his latest book "Film Music Analysis", how he uses this genre in the theory classroom, and admits his adoration for the music from the Rings of Power.

Paul, Jenn, and Ben finish our summer-long bookclub by discussing the last two chapters of Ken Bain's "What the Best College Teachers Do."

Paul, Jenn, and Ben continue our summer-long bookclub by discussing chapters 5 and 6 of Ken Bain's "What the Best College Teachers Do." We discuss how the best teachers conduct class and treat their students and Jenn also drops a couple highly quotable quotes.

Paul, Jenn, and Ben continue our summer-long bookclub by discussing chapters 3 and 4 of Ken Bain's "What the Best College Teachers Do" and how the best teachers prepare to teach and what they expect of their students.