From the Margins: What Music Theory Doesn't Want You To Know

S2E5: As Promised: What To Do About Part Writing

In this episode, we finally get to talk about 🎼 SATB chorale-style part-writing and related radical reimagining of the undergraduate music theory core! We also celebrate Kaitlyn's successful defense of her Ph.D. dissertation, and reflect on the amazing things we've both done during our four years as doctoral students. 🥳 To view Kaitlyn's dissertation lecture, see it on youtube here [https://youtu.be/1FwIrltHOPE]. Don't forget to drop by our office hours [https://www.from-the-margins.com/question-box] to send us questions, comments, or ideas for future episodes! We mention Megan Lavengood's article about a modular theory curriculum here [https://works.hcommons.org/records/6na5y-jtt40], Kristen Wallentinsen's presentation about grading and equity (abstract here [https://www.wccmta.com/2023]), and Katherine Pukinskis's article about decentralizing part-writing here [https://digitalcollections.lipscomb.edu/jmtp/vol35/iss1/1/]. This episode features clips from J.S. Bach's St. Matthew's Passion, "O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden," and Carol Ades's "Turns Out I'm Amazing." Tune in next time for our last episode of Season 2! 🎉

S2E4: Radical Reimagining and Moving Forward

In this episode, we debrief after a conversation we had with a senior scholar in our field, radically reimagining what the future of our field (and our ✨lives✨) might look like in the future! The big overarching question was, "what can the Society for Music Theory do to make it a better place for women and queer folks?" We also celebrate Kaitlyn's big announcement (you'll have to listen to find out what it is! 🥳) and talk through Kaitlyn's corresponding quarter-life crisis. Moral of the story: she's not a bad feminist! 💅 This is a long, thoughtful, and vulnerable episode - thanks for going on this journey with us! We promise we'll talk about part-writing next time! Don't forget to drop by our office hours [https://www.from-the-margins.com/question-box] to send us questions, comments, or ideas for future episodes! We cite this [https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0891243220977141] article about gender and college classroom participation, and this [https://www.jstor.org/stable/27141634] article about SMT's demographics. This episode features clips from Billie Eilish's "bad guy," performed by the Vitamin String Quartet; "Fast" by Demi Lovato;" and "I Want it All" from High School Musical 3!  🎤

S2E3: Sounding Girlhood: Little Girls & Pop Queens 💃

In this episode, we answer a few office hour questions, ask "what is music theory anyway?," and talk about what girlhood sounds like. We describe Little Girl Voice, Baby Voice, vocal fry, studio production, and so much more, in the voices of Disney & Pop princesses: Ariel, Rapunzel, Elsa, Hilary Duff, and Ariana Grande. Don't forget to drop by our office hours [https://www.from-the-margins.com/question-box] to send us questions, comments, or ideas for future episodes! You can also see Kaitlyn's "Let it Go" energy chart, and Kasey's very scholarly references on our blog here [https://www.from-the-margins.com/post/s2-episode-3-sounding-girlhood]. This episode features clips from "Part of Your World" (The Little Mermaid, 1989), "When Will My Life Begin" (Tangled, 2010), instrumentals from Tangled by Alan Menken, "Roommates" by Hilary Duff (2026), and "We Don't Talk" by Hilary Duff (2026).

S2E2: Musicianship 🎶: 3 Degrees of Integration

Season 2, Episode 2 is here! 🎉 In this episode, we reflect on power and politics in music as seen through the Grammys and the Epstein files. (See time stamps for CW if you'd like to skip that part.) We also talk about integration within core musicianship curricula, and how to build bridges between music theory and aural skills. K&K have a wealth of experience at multiple different institutions, so tune in to hear our perspective, pros, and cons! Don't forget to drop by our office hours [https://www.from-the-margins.com/question-box] to send us questions, comments, or ideas for future episodes! This episode features clips from the "Doctor Who" theme by Delia Derbyshire, "Baile Inolvidable" by Bad Bunny, and "In C" by Terry Riley. 🎶

S2E1: ✨ Aural ✨ Skills ✨ Pedagogy ✨

We're back and we hope you are as excited as we are for season 2! 🎉 In this episode, we catch up on what's been going on for the last 6 months and talk about aural skills pedagogy. K&K are both teaching aural skills this term and (as always) we have LOTS OF THOUGHTS. Tune in to hear what we're up to 🎙️ and catch up with us! Don't forget to drop by our office hours [https://www.from-the-margins.com/question-box] to send us questions, comments, or ideas for future episodes! This episode features clips from "All I Ever Asked" by Rachel Chinouriri. 🎶