Regarding Music

In this episode, Eric Sheppard speaks with organist and composer Paul Griffin about the role of church music in education, community building, and the broader classical music space. 

In this episode, we explore the vibrant world of collegiate choral composition, community-building for young composers, and practical tips for breaking into the world of choral music. Sammy Strent shares insights on growing the community, the importance of hands-on experience, and strategies for young composers to market and develop their craft.

In this episode of Regarding Music, we talk with Isaac Kingshott, a London, Ontario based music producer and composer, about working with Indie artists as a music producer, building connections in the music industry, and the value of relationships over technical knowledge alone.

Most musicians are feeling the heat as AI technology disrupts traditional careers — but is that a crisis or an opportunity? New York-based composer Nick Bettina and I dive deep into how the industry is evolving and why embracing live performance, community, and authenticity is more essential than ever. If you're a performer, composer, or music lover questioning how to thrive in a shifting landscape, this episode reveals the counterintuitive strategies that can turn chaos into your advantage.

In this Episode of Regarding music, we sit down with Matt Hardy, a St. John's-based double bass player about organizing ensembles, overcoming imposter system, and some of the physical demands the double bass requires of players. 

I've made several AI Demos of my choral compositions and have found that while AI choir is very good at being correct, it usually lacks musicality. I wrote a new choral composition specifically designed to be sung by AI to see just how musical I could get an AI generate choral recording to sound.

In this episode of Regarding Music, Eric Sheppard speaks with composer and violinist Nick Batina about his journey in composition, his stylistic influences, and the challenges of building a career in music. Nick shares valuable insights on the creative process and building a career in music composition.

In this episode of Regarding Music, Eric Sheppard speaks with Paul Griffin, a Washington D.C. based organist and composer. The discussion focuses on the value of writing approachable music, some of the parallels between composing church music and music for video games, and some insights about composition gained from becoming content creator.

In this episode of Regarding Music, Eric Sheppard and Brandon Unis discuss Brandon's journey into the world of mixing, the business side of being a self-employed engineer, and the importance of building relationships in the music industry. They discuss ways content creation can drive business outcomes, some of the challenges of identifying as a musician, and some advice for aspiring mixing engineers.

In this episode of Regarding Music Eric Sheppard and Ben Nguyen explore the world of private music education, teaching, and the evolving landscape of music careers. They discuss the importance of reconnecting with music education, the value of leadership in music education, and lots of great tips to help music teachers starting private studios to find the right students. 

In this episode of Regarding Music, Eric Sheppard outlines three key considerations for composing choral music that is easier and more approachable for amateur choirs.

In this episode of Regarding Music, Eric Sheppard speaks with Mathias Rehfeldt, a German composer and organist. They  Mathias's work as a composer, ways composers of "Classical" music can leverage technology and social media, and some of the ways AI can (and will) change a composer's workflow.

In this episode of Regarding Music, Eric Sheppard speaks with American composer and music director Shane Mickelsen. They discuss Shane's early musical journey, his education choices, the importance of mentorship, and the challenges of finding one's own voice in music composition. Shane shares insights on navigating music education, the role of validation in a composer's journey, and the balance between personal expression and audience engagement. 

In this Episode Eric walks us through a recent composition for String Orchestra that focuses heavily on ternary forms. This discussion provides a look at the piece and a deep dive look at some of the formal structures featured and stylistic choices made in the creation of this piece.  

In this Episode of Regarding Music, Eric Sheppard speaks with Daix Ai, a composer and pianist, about her journey in music composition, influences from classical and traditional Chinese music, and striking the balance between modern and traditional styles in modern composition. They discuss the importance of storytelling in music, the challenges of getting performances as a young composer, and the role education plays in a musician's career. Daix shares valuable advice for aspiring composers, emphasizing the need for open-mindedness and the significance of building relationships in the music community.

In this episode of Regarding Music, Eric speaks with Michael Clement, an American jazz pianist and composer, about being a generalist in the early stages of a music career, challenges in the music education space, and the need to adapt in the evolving landscape of the music industry. Michael shares his personal experiences transitioning from classical to jazz, the importance of developing multiple income streams, and the need for musicians to think more entrepreneurially about their careers.

In this episode, Eric Sheppard and Ben Nguyen, explore the world of music coaching and education. Ben shares his journey from a music student to a coach, emphasizing the importance of social connections in music. They discuss the challenges of building a music teaching roster, striking the right balance between building a business and realizing artistic fulfillment, and effective marketing strategies for music educators. The conversation also highlights the importance of mentorship, the qualities that make a great music teacher, and the power of word-of-mouth referrals in the music education space.

In this episode, Eric Sheppard speaks with jazz double bassist Will Lyle about his journey in music, the impact of social media can have on one’s musical career, and the importance of artistic finding fulfillment. Will shares insights on the necessity of honing one's craft, the evolving landscape of jazz education, and striking the right balance between creativity and business in creating music content.

In this episode, Eric Sheppard and Barry J. Neely, a California-based film composer, discuss film music composition, misconceptions about scoring, and the importance of collaboration and communication in the creative process. Barry shares his journey with film scoring, his experiences with directors, and the constant need to balance artistic vision and client needs. The conversation also touches on the impact of budget constraints and the rewarding moments of working in film music. Eric and Barry reflect on personal experiences, career choices, and the value of patience and consistency in achieving artistic goals.

In this Episode of Regarding Music, Eric Sheppard speaks with Logan Stokes, a bassoonist an content creator about his musical journey. The discussion focuses on the challenges of music education, the intricacies of reed making, and the impact of COVID-19 on musical engagement. Logan shares insights on content creation in the music space, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and building connection with audiences. The conversation also highlights the intricacies of storytelling for musicians, the importance of building a personal brand, and the balance between engagement and views in content creation.