172 | Keeping Choir Fun, Inclusive, and Inspiring with Debbie O'Shea

Send us Fan Mail Choral music is about so much more than just singing, and in this episode of That Music Podcast, Bryson sits down with Debbie O’Shea to explore the magic of choir. They dive into what makes a great rehearsal, how to build community in your ensemble, and the secret to keeping singers engaged—even with tricky repertoire. Debbie also shares a sneak peek into her upcoming That Music Teacher Community masterclass, where she will explore the "why" behind choir, effective warm-ups, and repertoire selection - all with the goal of inspiring and engaging choirs. Episode Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 1:30 Differences Between Music and Choir Classrooms 3:45 Creating a Sense of Belonging and Teamwork 9:09 Engaging and Motivating Students 11:02 Balancing Fun and Effectiveness in Rehearsals 16:23 The Purpose of Choir and Its Value Beyond School 24:59 Defining Success in Rehearsals 27:47 Debbie's Upcoming Master Class 29:38 Takeaways Links and Resources: Elementary Newbie Guide Disabilities Guide Steady Beat Survival Guide Join That Music Teacher Community Connect with Debbie Have questions or want to share feedback? Reach out to us at hello@thatmusicteacher.com - we’d love to hear from you! Grab your free ticket to the Elementary Music Summit®: January Refresh -> www.thatmusicteacher.com/summit Have questions or want to share feedback? Reach out to us at hello@thatmusicteacher.com - we’d love to hear from you!

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