Hosts, Erik and Jen, are two veteran instrumental music educators from New Jersey who love to get together and talk shop. Every episode promises to entertain and inform listeners with the hosts' real-world experiences as band directors, marching instructors, jazz educators, musicians, spouses, and parents. In addition, Erik and Jen chat with guests about their own stories and experiences in the music and education fields.
050 - Hits, Flops, and The Essential Questions: A 50-Episode Retrospective
🎙️ Episode SynopsisIn this milestone 50th episode, Jen, Eric, and CJ celebrate four years of the Take A Cue podcast with a candid state of the union. The trio takes a break from their usual deep dives to check in on their own lives—covering everything from Eric’s transition away from marching band to CJ’s adventures as a first-year teacher with a 13-year-old polydactyl cat. They pull back the curtain on the podcast’s history, discussing which episodes struck a chord with listeners and which ideas floundered. The conversation also serves as a mid-year check-in on their current ensembles, featuring stories of classroom management blunders, sigma memes, and the repertoire currently on their music stands. The episode concludes with a series of Essential Questions designed to help music educators reflect on their own teaching practice and personal well-being.🎯 What You’ll Learn From This EpisodeThe Reality of the First Year: CJ shares the honest challenges of being a new teacher, from dealing with unhinged student lingo to navigating classroom management in a large beginner clarinet class. The Art of Moving On: Erik discusses the difficult but necessary decision to step away from a 22-year marching band career to find a better life balance. Repertoire in Action: Hear what the hosts are currently teaching, including pieces by Randall Standridge, Laura Estes, and Peter Sciaino.Podcast Post-Mortem: Insights into what makes a successful podcast episode and the value of learning from the segments that didn't quite land.Professional Self-Reflection: A guide to the Essential Questions every music teacher should ask themselves regarding student service, personal growth, and identity outside of school. 🔗 Resources & MentionsRepertoire Mentioned:Groovy 8 by Randall Standridge Binary 0101 by Laura Estes After Dark (Swing arrangement) Cold Duck Time (Funk head) Playground Parade (Recommended for elementary groups) CJam Blues (Jazz improvisation) Max Aura Lee (An "Accents on Achievement" adaptation) Educational Tools:Essential Elements Method Books Accents on Achievement Method Books Takadimi Rhythm System People & Other Mentions:Peter Sciaino: Composer (featured in Episode 49) Michelle Matten: Retiring colleague at Harrison School The "67 Meme": A social media trend utilized for rhythm training Livingston Symphony Orchestra South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC)Find Take A CueHome: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/sh... 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19 Feb 2026
049 - The Art of the Contemporary Score: A Deep Dive with Peter Sciaino
🎙️ Episode SynopsisIn this episode of Take a Cue, Jen and Erik sit down with composer, arranger, and educator Peter Sciaino for an in-depth conversation about writing music for student ensembles, building strong band culture, and balancing creativity with teaching and family life. From Pete’s early path into music education to his approach to composing accessible, engaging repertoire, the episode explores how thoughtful design, clear expectations, and joy in music-making can shape successful programs. Listeners also get a behind-the-scenes look at Pete’s compositions, current projects, and philosophy on making meaningful music for young musicians.🎯 What You’ll Learn From This EpisodeHow Peter Sciaino found his way into music education and compositionWhat goes into writing engaging, publishable music for student ensemblesWhy band culture matters just as much as rehearsal timeHow composers think about accessibility, grading, and student successThe role of listening and sound modeling in student learningHow to balance composing, teaching, performing, and family lifeWhy creative work in the “margins” of your day can still be meaningfulHow supportive colleagues and family make creative careers sustainable🔗 Resources & MentionsPeter Sciaino – Guest composer and educatorWingert-Jones Publications – Publisher connected to Pete’s work and clinician visitKendor Music – Publisher of Pete’s jazz compositionsThe United System for Winds & Percussion – Pete’s method book focused on mixed-level ensembles“Hush” 🎷 – Jazz ensemble piece discussed in the listening segment“Quite the Kerfuffle” 🎼 – Concert band work highlighted in the episode"EKG" 📈 - Jazz ensemble music discussed and sampledListening-based teaching strategies 👂🎶Band culture & classroom environment 🏫🎺Composing for mixed-ability ensembles 🎵Find Take A CueHome: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/takeacueSupport: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/takeacue/supportInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/TakeACuePodcast/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TakeACuePodcast/CreditsHosts: Erik Donough (@edonough, erik@donough.net), Jen Wise (@jenwisemusic, jenwisemusic@gmail.com)Edited by: Erik DonoughTheme music by Music_Unlimited: https://pixabay.com/users/music_unlimited-27600023/Artwork by Arooj: https://www.fiverr.com/em_arooj
7 Jan 2026
048 - We Love Teaching… and It’s a Problem
🎙️ Episode SynopsisIn this episode of Take a Cue, Jen and Erik get honest about work-life balance—and why it’s something they’re still figuring out themselves. Recorded at the end of winter break, the conversation dives into burnout, seasonal demands of the school year, family life, side gigs, and the blurred lines between music as a job and music as a passion. From learning how to say no, to building systems that protect your time, to modeling healthy balance for students, this episode offers real talk, hard-earned perspective, and reassurance that balance isn’t perfect—but it is possible.🎯 What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhy work-life balance isn’t a 9–5 concept for music teachersThe seasonal ebb and flow of the school yearBurnout: how it starts, how it feels, and how to avoid itLearning to say no (and why it’s so hard)Building systems that save time and mental energyThe importance of non-productive hobbiesFinding supportive colleagues (“marigolds”) who protect your sanitySetting boundaries between school, family, and personal lifeModeling sustainable music-making for studentsWhy balance looks different at different stages of your careerResources & Mentions from This Episode 🎵Breathing room & seasonal planning 🌱Airtable 🗂️ – referenced as a system-building tool (see prior episode)MakeMusic Cloud / SmartMusic 🎼 – student practice toolsMarching band & extracurricular commitments 🏈🎺“Marigold” colleagues 🌼 – positive professional support systemsNon-music hobbies 🚲📚 – biking, reading, creative outletsFind Take A CueHome: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/takeacueSupport: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/takeacue/supportInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/TakeACuePodcast/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TakeACuePodcast/CreditsHosts: Erik Donough (@edonough, erik@donough.net), Jen Wise (@jenwisemusic, jenwisemusic@gmail.com)Edited by: Erik DonoughTheme music by Music_Unlimited: https://pixabay.com/users/music_unlimited-27600023/Artwork by Arooj: https://www.fiverr.com/em_arooj
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
1,110
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
4 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
15 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 65 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
75
Social presence
0
YouTube
68
Engagement
71
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