The Choir Guys

About The Choir Guys

Unfiltered chats from the choir room with Blake Richter and Daniel Gutierrez.

Publisher

Blake Richter

Category

arts · education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

14 Feb 2024

Latest episode

15 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

39 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   15 Sept 2026

   Creating Pentatonix, Finding the Secret Sauce, and Story Time with Ben Bram | Ep 39

   Welcome to this episode of The Choir Guys Podcast! In this episode, we sit down with 2x GRAMMY and Emmy Award-winning vocal arranger, producer, engineer, and educator Ben Bram for a deep dive into the world of contemporary a cappella. As a co-creator of Pentatonix, A Cappella Academy, Citizen Queen, and Acapop! KIDS, Ben has helped shape the sound of modern vocal music while working with artists including the Backstreet Boys, Sabrina Carpenter, Jacob Collier, Tori Kelly, and The King’s Singers. Ben takes us through his musical journey and the early days of Pentatonix before pulling back the curtain on his arranging, producing, and engineering process. We talk about what makes a great vocal arrangement, how to capture the raw energy of an a cappella group in the studio, and the audio choices that can take a live contemporary a cappella performance to the next level. He also shares strategies for developing an ensemble’s unique sound, identity, and chemistry and introduces us to his newest project, the New York Vocal Collective. Finally, we have “Story Time with Ben Bram!” where Ben shares stories from The Sing-Off, Pitch Perfect, Pentatonix, the Backstreet Boys, A Cappella Academy, Citizen Queen, Super Bowl LVII, and some of the biggest moments of his career. Whether you’re a choir director, arranger, audio engineer, a cappella singer, or just a Pentatonix superfan, this episode is packed with practical advice, behind-the-scenes stories, and a whole lot of vocal-music nerdiness! We hope you find our discussions helpful, entertaining, and applicable. If you have any questions or topics you would like us to cover, please email us at thechoirguyspod@gmail.com, or simply message us on social media - @thechoirguyspod. We will be back in a few weeks with a new episode! Make sure to follow us on our social media pages (linked below) so you do not miss an episode. Visit The Choir Guys’ website here: https://thechoirguyspod.weebly.com/ Want to become a sponsor of the podcast? Email us at thechoirguyspod@gmail.com. Download the full podcast here: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-choir-guys/id1730260085 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1vQx1T5IYKNs5ztnOkuVns Follow The Choir Guys on Social Media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556415050610 Twitter: https://twitter.com/thechoirguyspod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechoirguyspod/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thechoirguyspod Sponsors: Sight Reading Factory: sightreadingfactory.com Endeavor Music Publishing: https://endeavormusicpublishing.com/ Encore Tours: https://www.encoretours.com/ Gateway Sheet Music: https://gatewaysheetmusic.com/

2. 

   18 Aug 2026

   SEASON 4 PREMIERE - Back to School 26-27 | Ep 38

   Welcome to this episode of The Choir Guys Podcast! In this episode, we kick off Season 4 of The Choir Guys Podcast by getting you inspired, encouraged, and ready to tackle the 2026–2027 school year! We asked retired music educators and previous guests of the podcast to share the wisdom, advice, and reminders they believe every teacher needs to hear as a new school year begins. From keeping perspective and building meaningful relationships with staff and students, to finding joy in the classroom and remembering why you became a music educator in the first place, this episode is packed with encouragement from people who have been there and have plenty of wisdom to share. Whether this is your first year teaching or your thirtieth, we hope these words help you walk into your classroom refreshed, motivated, and ready for an incredible year. We hope you find our discussions helpful, entertaining, and applicable. If you have any questions or topics you would like us to cover, please email us at thechoirguyspod@gmail.com, or simply message us on social media - @thechoirguyspod. We will be back in a few weeks with a new episode! Make sure to follow us on our social media pages (linked below) so you do not miss an episode. Visit The Choir Guys’ website here: https://thechoirguyspod.weebly.com/ Want to become a sponsor of the podcast? Email us at thechoirguyspod@gmail.com. Download the full podcast here: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-choir-guys/id1730260085 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1vQx1T5IYKNs5ztnOkuVns Follow The Choir Guys on Social Media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556415050610 Twitter: https://twitter.com/thechoirguyspod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechoirguyspod/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thechoirguyspod Sponsors: Sight Reading Factory: sightreadingfactory.com Gateway Sheet Music: https://gatewaysheetmusic.com/

3. 

   21 Jul 2026

   Morning Hair Routines, Musical Easter Eggs & Conducting in a TGI Friday’s with Eric Whitacre | Ep 37

   Welcome to this episode of The Choir Guys Podcast! In this episode, we close out Season 3 with one of the most influential voices in modern choral music—GRAMMY Award-winning composer and conductor Eric Whitacre. Eric takes us on a journey through his remarkable career, from discovering his love of choral music as a young adult to becoming one of the most recognized composers in the world and the visionary behind the Virtual Choir. We discuss his signature compositional style, the role of silence in music, what conductors often over- and under-rehearse in his works, and how he hopes live choral performances inspire the next generation of singers. We also dive into his friendship with Tony Silvestri, the story behind the return of Stopping by Woods, and wrap things up with a fun rapid-fire round covering everything from composition software and hidden musical "Easter eggs" to tango dancing, favorite composers, and, yes... his famous hair. Whether you've admired Eric's music for years or are just discovering his work, this season finale is filled with insight, laughter, and unforgettable stories from one of choral music's true innovators. We hope you find our discussions helpful, entertaining, and applicable. If you have any questions or topics you would like us to cover, please email us at thechoirguyspod@gmail.com, or simply message us on social media - @thechoirguyspod. We will be back in a few weeks with a new episode! Make sure to follow us on our social media pages (linked below) so you do not miss an episode. Visit The Choir Guys’ website here: https://thechoirguyspod.weebly.com/ Subscribe to our Newsletter! https://the-choir-guys-newsletter.beehiiv.com/subscribe Want to become a sponsor of the podcast? Email us at thechoirguyspod@gmail.com. Download the full podcast here: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-choir-guys/id1730260085 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1vQx1T5IYKNs5ztnOkuVns Follow The Choir Guys on Social Media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556415050610 Twitter: https://twitter.com/thechoirguyspod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechoirguyspod/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thechoirguyspod Sponsors: Sight Reading Factory: sightreadingfactory.com Kansas Maid Frozen Pastries: kansasmaid.com Endeavor Music Publishing: endeavormusicpublishing.com Encore Tours: encoretours.com S-Cubed: teacherspayteachers.com/Product/S-Cubed-Sight-Singing-Program-Level-ONE-Original-Power-Point-Version-1208701 Class Intercom: classintercom.com Gateway Sheet Music: https://gatewaysheetmusic.com/ Haymes Insurance: https://haymesinsurance.com/ Pavane Publishing: https://www.pavanepublishing.com/ GIA/Walton Music: https://giamusic.com/walton-music

Who has been a guest on The Choir Guys

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Dr Erin Plisco
• Daniel Gutierrez
• Roger Emerson
• Blake
• Danny

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

60,424

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.6 / 5

17 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

17 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 55 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

59

Social presence

0

YouTube

76

Engagement

51

Contact The Choir Guys

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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