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Episode 220: Cheers to Pondering the Print Music Industry (with Jason Sifford)

Episode 220: Cheers to Pondering the Print Music Industry (with Jason Sifford)

Hello there, my teacher friends!  Welcome to episode 220 of the Beyond Measure Podcast. My name is Christina Whitlock and I have taken the liberty of appointing myself as your Anytime Piano Teacher Friend.  I hang out here in your podcast app of choice, ready to talk shop with you on your own schedule.

Today, I have an extra-special treat for you. This marks the second installment in our 2025 Summertime Conversation Series, and I’m delighted to share a conversation with none other than Jason Sifford with you today.  Jason Sifford contributes to the piano teaching profession in all kinds of ways. He is a frequent performer, a thought-provoking teacher, and he is the composer of some of my very favorite supplemental collections, including Beware the Jabberwock, Weightless, and KeyBop books 1 and 2. He also releases terrific music through ComposeCreate.com, and writes original productions for youth theater which I find endlessly fascinating.  All in all, Jason is a kindred spirit in the fact that he likes to think deeply about this work we do.

I wanted to bring Jason on the show today to talk about some thoughts I have pertaining to the future of the print music industry, which is something I think we all need to be paying attention to.

This conversation refers to a lot of supplemental piano repertoire, and I just wanted to remind you: If you are someone who feels overwhelmed by the sheer amount of repertoire out there to choose from, I’ve got your back.  Earlier this year, I released my 2025 Recital Guide, which provides you information and links for 36 pieces that appear on my recital programs time and time again. The guide is organized by level and ranges from Early Elementary all the way through late intermediate. All selections are modern, pedagogical works, meaning there is no historical literature included. Even if recitals aren’t on your brain, the guide is designed to serve as an introduction to collections I love and use all the time. Best of all, the 2025 Recital Guide is only $15.  Head to ChristinaWhitlock.com/2025 to get your copy today.

And now, my friends, get excited: Here’s my conversation with Jason Sifford.

(Conversation transcript currently unavailable)

Phew! I TOLD you that was going to be great, friends… and Jason and I were just getting started.  Remember, for just $6 you can join the SuperFriends community and catch bonus conversations with all guests from this summer (as well as those from LAST summer). Even more than that, your $6 keeps a fire lit underneath me because it tells me you value this show.

Find the links for the SuperFriends community, the 2025 Recital Guide, and more in today’s shownotes.

Until next week, friends, onward and upward!