How does practicing music change our experience of music? We speak with an expert, Molly Gebrian to learn more. Her recent book, Learn Faster, Learn Better presents approaches to practicing that are supported by research into how humans learn music. Musical Memories by Alec Stutteville, Andrew Song, and Carlos Utrilla guide our discussion. One technical note regarding this episode of Lifetimes of listening: there are a few audio issues with Dan’s track that we could not easily fix. After a few moments, you will stop to hear them, but we wanted you to know that the issue is in the sound file, and not your speakers. Please enjoy, On Practicing Music!

How do you create a place for the arts to flourish? Why do youth need to be involved in expressing themselves with art? These are among the many things we speak about with our guest Logan Greene. He was one of the co-founders of the nonprofit organization Groundworks, an organization that promotes youth driven arts and music in Tucson, Arizona. In addition to telling us about Groundworks, Logan draws attention to some of the conscious decisions that were made to ensure that a healthy, safe, and supportive community that is in many cases run by youth and young adults. Musical memories by Ana Espinosa, Andy Mourelatos, and Faye Zhang guide our conversation.

How does music sustain us during difficult times? Why do we now realize why live music is so important? Our guest today is Lia Falco, an associate professor of educational psychology at the University of Arizona. She was central to the founding of a school based mental health program that provides free mental health counseling for students and families in public education, a program which launched just before the pandemic. Her research provides a context to the stories in this episode, about how music helped sustain and bolster people as they found ways to use music to provide solace for themselves during the pandemic. Musical memories by Andre Cota, Ariel Heinrich, and Hunter Del Rosario guide the conversation to a better understanding of how music supports us during those times we are in crisis.

How come music reminds one of a place? Today’s episode explores stories of people coping with feeling homesick by listening to music. Our guest, Jaimie Matthews, helps train and supervise resident advisors for college dormitories. This role allows her to help young adults transition to being on their own, often for the first time in their lives. Jaimie’s experience helps us understand why and how music can become such a powerful reminder of the places we call home. Musical memories by Emily Jo Schwaller, JT Chen, and Devin Bayly help us explore music and the feeling of homesickness.

Why does singing in a choir have such an impact on people that they cherish those moments for the rest of their lives? Our show today explores a few of the many stories people have shared with us about the importance of being in a choir. Today’s guest is M. Nicole Davis, an Assistant Professor of Choral Conducting and Choral Music Education at the University of Arizona. She’s an ideal person to speak to the meaning of being in a choir, because she intentionally cultivates connection and community in her choirs. Musical Memories by Thomas Gregg, Samantha Jackson, and Robert Groves lead our discussion.

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to travel from town to town to put on a concert? Our show today focuses on the stories of travelling musicians and the artists who help them put on concerts in towns across the country. Our guest in this episode, Ashley Kahn, is best known as a music journalist and author of many books about jazz and rock. Before he earned recognition as a writer, he worked behind the scenes to help touring musicians bring their concerts to cities across America and abroad. His perspective on the music industry, and the tales Ashley shares about his own experiences, help give a sense for what it’s like to be an artist on tour. Musical memories from Tom McElhanney, Jason Carder, and Christian Giroux guide our conversation.

What does mariachi do for the children who begin learning to play it at a young age? How does folklorico, the Mexican traditional dance that often accompanies mariachi, help shape young people’s identities? Our episode today celebrates stories of mariachi and folklorico. Our guest, Aracelli Valenzuela, is from a family who have dedicated themselves and been foundational to the youth mariachi movement in America. Ara’s love of helping young people grow as musicians and as people through mariachi is inspiring. Musical memories from Leah Lopez, Elena Garcia, and Rylie Fernandez guide our discussion.

Have you ever wondered what it’d be like to share your story of a classic recording with someone who was there when it was made? Our episode focuses on stories of classic popular and rock music, all of which connects with our guest. Chris O’Dell was an employee of Apple Records and the Beatles, a personal assistant for the Rolling Stones, and a tour manager for many artists throughout the 1970s. The stories in this episode feature the Beatles, Bob Dylan and James Taylor, artists with whom O’Dell worked closely. Musical memories from Ashley Khan, Chelsea Farrar, and Jamili Omar guide our discussion.