Best Eric Barnum Podcasts (2025)

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Artistic Debt 1:14:31

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2M ago1:14:31

1:14:31

Richard and Eric discuss a question posed in The New York Times: "What do consumers owe to producers of art?" They wonder if the concept of 'debt' within the artistic framework is plausible, and muse on its potential ramifications. Is it ethical for organizations to purchase used manuscripts, or loan for rehearsals and performances?…

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Lost Episode: The Gift Economy 1:17:20

10M ago1:17:20

1:17:20

"The Gift Economy" is a Choral Contrarian Lost Episode, recorded in Summer, 2024. Richard and Eric use the recent article "Toward a Gift Economy," composed by Simon Oliver (published July 2024) in the Plough Quarterly, as a springboard to both generally and specifically discuss 'gift' as it relates to a culture, economy, and potentially an artistic…

1
The Intersection of Emotion and Performance 1:17:20

1+ y ago1:17:20

1:17:20

Richard and Eric try to locate the intersection point of emotion and performance. They not only attempt to differentiate the difference between how emotion works for the audience versus performer, but also debate the value and perception of emotion's usefulness as a performer of music. Do we overvalue, or misjudge, emotion in the act of performance…

1
I had a dream, past the wit of man to say what dream it was… 1:01:06

1+ y ago1:01:06

1:01:06

Richard and Eric wonder about the goings-on of music and performance in dreams. What piece is heard there? Who wrote that piece? What ensemble performed the piece you heard in the dream? Is there anything to be learned from those questions? Maybe there is something similar going on when a conductor references their mental/aural imagery when adjudic…

1
Ye Olde Fireside Chat 1:03:28

2y ago1:03:28

1:03:28

Richard and Eric gather round the old fireplace to chat about a variety of things, including reading a wonderful note from Swedish composer Mattias Sjöberg. High-back chairs and a roaring fire is a wonderful time to reminisce and celebrate hygge during the dark, winter season.By Eric Barnum and Richard Robbins

1
Wandering the Choral Backrooms 55:42

2y ago55:42

55:42

Eric and Richard ask the question no one is asking (and maybe for good reason): Is there an intersection between the concept of liminal space and choral music? They discuss this fairly defined aesthetic phenomena and posit if any aspect of it can be seen in the light of music performance. Oh, and they rank their favorite solfege syllables. Just riv…

1
The Future of Music? 1:08:35

2y ago1:08:35

1:08:35

Richard and Eric dive deep into an article in The Critic, entitled "Have I Seen the Future of Music; On a performance in three dimensions for all five senses," by Norman Lebrecht. The article largely reviews pianist Yuja Wang's recent collaboration with renowned English artist David Hockney. The author posits that, through the use of technology and…

1
Destined to Drown in the Digital Sea 1:24:40

2y ago1:24:40

1:24:40

Richard and Eric, after struggling to come up with topics for the pocast, resort to asking ChatGPT for help. They review and analyze what offerings AI provides, which leads to a much larger discussion of how AI might intersect the fine arts, most specifically choral music. It is an interesting deep dive into the digital sea.…

1
The Wallpaper of Spacetime 48:50

2y ago48:50

48:50

Richard and Eric look into a quote about art and music that has been making the rounds of social media recently. Formally attributed to postmodernist/neo expressionist artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, it reads: “Art is how we decorate space, music is how we decorate time.” Why does the statement illicit a strong response from those in the fine arts? Wh…

1
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse 1:07:32

2y ago1:07:32

1:07:32

Richard and Eric have returned from the proverbial grave! They catch up a bit and then briefly tackle the difficult task of creating a discernible ethic an ensemble can utilize and rally around on a practical level. They look specifically to a recent movie: "The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse" directed by Peter Baynton and Charlie Mackesy (ad…

1
Perfection(ism) 1:07:32

4y ago1:07:32

1:07:32

Richard and Eric take a look at perfection within the context of our choral experiences. What actually is perfection as it relates to choral rehearsal and performance? Is it an attainable goal, or is it actually a shadowy, distant mountain in which the closer we get to it, the farther away it becomes? How do our individual contexts play a role in o…

1
A Moderately Meritorious Return 51:02

4y ago51:02

51:02

Richard and Eric make a grand (well, not-so-grand) return to the airwaves after a long hiatus! They once again, effortlessly, reach the pinnacles of podcasting mediocrity as they catch up a bit and discuss some of the challenges and victories of making music this fall.By Eric Barnum and Richard Robbins

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Highback Chairs and Hefty Tomes 1:00:11

4+ y ago1:00:11

1:00:11

With churchwarden pipe in hand, Richard joins Eric in the library by a tended fire to discuss the year and perhaps what the future may hold for those in the choral profession.By Eric Barnum and Richard Robbins

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Similes Like or As Metaphors 52:58

4+ y ago52:58

52:58

Eric and Richard are like or as a couple of professors talking about using words in a way that is like or as similes and metaphors are used. How can a conductor use similes and metaphors in the context of a rehearsal setting? Is it useful? What are potential issues that can arise if used incorrectly or too much? Join the guys deep in the mine and g…

1
Unattainably Attainable Transcendence 1:02:50

5y ago1:02:50

1:02:50

Richard and Eric discuss the slippery subject of transcendence through music and art. Often referenced throughout their discussions, they take the time to dive more deeply into this difficult concept, deciding if it is something one can grasp for or merely receive. Is it attainable in our day-to-day lives, or only reserved for special moments? ...a…

1
Chain Links and the Cult of Progress 1:01:05

5y ago1:01:05

1:01:05

Richard and Eric tackle a juicy quote about Herbert Howells from a 1950s Musical Times article composed by Gerald Finzi. “To some the idiom will appear ‘dated,’ and poorer critical minds attach much greater significance to this word than it deserves. ‘All only constant is in constant change,’ but too often the generations see only the change and ov…

1
The Nihilism of Accomplishment. Feat. Dr. Jeremiah Cawley 1:21:08

5y ago1:21:08

1:21:08

Richard and Eric are joined by returning guest Dr. Jeremiah Cawley to discuss a special and controversial quote from Fyodor Dostoevsky's "Notes from Underground." The thought process of the examined quote is guided by a YouTuber "Thoughts on Thinking," and the road leads to some broad and substantial questions about a human's relationship to proces…

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Composing: An Ocean of Song. Feat. Michael McGlynn 1:24:24

5y ago1:24:24

1:24:24

Irish composer Michael McGlynn once again joins Eric on the podcast, this time to wander deep into all things composing. Having an extensive international career as a celebrated choral composer, Michael shares stories and thoughts on the composer's voice, distillation, the current landscape of composition, and the rich wide ocean of song we all swi…

1
The Guy in the Gorilla Suit 54:11

5y ago54:11

54:11

Richard and Eric take a look at a 2017 Australian research paper that correlates openness to experience and binocular rivalry. The researchers found some very interesting perceptual outcomes, including a connection to inattentional blindness (made famous by the 'Invisible Gorilla' experiment), but does anything found have anything to do with our mu…

1
Sacred Cow Tipping: Blend 1:12:48

5y ago1:12:48

1:12:48

Richard and Eric venture out to tip over a most beautiful sacred cow: choral blend. What are people actually talking about when they ask for "blend?" Though being slightly more ambiguous than conductors would like to admit, it remains a top priority for many. We all want the choirs we hear to sound good, but what could we all be missing if we focus…

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Anúna and Sean-nós. Feat. Michael McGlynn 1:09:47

5y ago1:09:47

1:09:47

Eric sits down to chat with one of Ireland's preeminent composers and musicians: Michael McGlynn. They speak about the early days of Anúna, what the group has grown into, and its global influence over the course of its illustrious 33 year history. They also spend some time speaking about how "Sean-nós" singing has directly, and indirectly, effected…

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Questions, Questions 1:19:34

5y ago1:19:34

1:19:34

Richard and Eric dig into listener emails to answer some questions and comments. The short-form topics and questions covered are 1) CPDL (Choral Public Domain Library) and attribution, 2) publishing houses and their domination of reading sessions, 3) DMA (Doctor of Musical Arts) recipients and their perceived preparedness in certain choral styles/e…

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Trudging 58:19

5y ago58:19

58:19

Richard and Eric discuss the moment and some psychological ramifications that have developed over the recent months, both individually and collectively within the choral arena. They land on a word not often used, but perhaps necessary for the times: "trudge."By Eric Barnum and Richard Robbins

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Imposter Syndrome 1:07:51

5+ y ago1:07:51

1:07:51

Do you constantly feel like an imposter, just waiting to be found out to be the fraud that you think you are? For their first episode of Season 3, Richard and Eric take a peek at the real-life phenomenon known as "imposter syndrome," as well as the five types of ways this is seen to manifest in individuals. During the covid-19 season, this particul…

1
We are (most certainly) Dwarves. 1:06:03

5+ y ago1:06:03

1:06:03

Richard and Eric take a dive into the concept of profession scalability articulated by essayist and scholar Nassim Taleb. After defining terms, they ask whether the current conductor/music-teacher profession model is changing rapidly into something very different. How has the 2020 pandemic (and the internet/technology intersection) perhaps shaped t…

1
Dunning-Kruger Effect 1:12:58

5+ y ago1:12:58

1:12:58

Richard and Eric essentially live out the Dunning-Kruger effect by talking about the Dunning-Kruger effect. They introduce the concept and land on an important question: To what degree do we recognize incompetence — not just in others, but in ourselves? Does it matter? This troubling phenomenon is seemingly (and unfortunately) a ubiquitous feature …

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The Present Past of T.S. Eliot 1:16:40

5+ y ago1:16:40

1:16:40

Richard and Eric dive into the deep end of the pool in seeing how T.S. Eliot's "Tradition and the Individual Talent" may intersect with music. This surprisingly short essay (which is hailed as perhaps the best essay of the 20th Century) shows off Eliot's rare genius of getting to the bottom of things as eloquently and powerfully as possible. Beyond…

1
Contrarian Short: Arvo Pärt. Feat. Timothy Tharaldson 39:37

5+ y ago39:37

39:37

Composer and Conductor, Timothy Tharaldson, joins Eric to speak about his unique, recent visit to the Arvo Pärt Centre in Laulasmaa, Estonia. They celebrate not only his experience, but Pärt as a composer and human being. Arvo Pärt Centre: https://www.arvopart.ee/en/ Timothy Tharaldson: https://timothytharaldson.com/…

1
Collective Memory Decay 1:24:46

5+ y ago1:24:46

1:24:46

Richard and Eric look into a fascinating phenomenon: Collective Memory Decay. Owing much to the work of the Cesar A. Hidalgo and the Collective Learning group at the MIT Media Lab, this concept looks generally (and specifically) into the interaction between culture and memory. Can we learn something from the way pieces of information are shared and…

1
Shh... Audiate and Whatnot. Feat. Dr. Jeremiah Cawley 1:16:42

5+ y ago1:16:42

1:16:42

Eric is joined by friend of the cast Dr. Jeremiah Cawley to discuss what in the world musicians (students, teachers, and professionals) can do to continue growing during the silence of isolation. Many musicians are thrust into awkward living situations where traditional practice regimens are not feasible or even possible. What types of things can w…

1
Game Time! 1:07:44

5+ y ago1:07:44

1:07:44

What do cyborg arms, Pampered Chef, truth, lies, and influential composers have in common? Nothing! Take a dive into some game time with Richard and Eric as they have fun (for once).By Eric Barnum and Richard Robbins

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Living in Zoom 1:00:02

5+ y ago1:00:02

1:00:02

Richard, who has been living in Zoom, must be rescued by Eric and brought back to the corporeal with the power of the *beep bop boop.* They discuss how the use of technology could continue to grow and be implemented by conductors and musicians after the initial wave of global pandemic. What could be some long term ramifications? Eric ends up upload…

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From the Bunker 51:02

6y ago51:02

51:02

Richard and Eric riff on what's going on from their isolated bunkers. What are a just couple ways that choral music could be effected by this pandemic? Be safe, be healthy, be well everyone!By Eric Barnum and Richard Robbins

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Inspired at Home 32:34

6y ago32:34

32:34

With Richard gone, Eric goes solo to give some inspiration for those who are staying home from the choral conventions taking place nationwide in the United States this week. He spends time with an excerpt from Howard Swan's "Conscience of a Profession," and looks at what we can do to stay present and inspiring for those we interact with on the home…

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Sacred Cow Tipping: Them Themes 52:12

6y ago52:12

52:12

Richard and Eric hobnob about the concept of 'theme' in music programming. Do themes play too prevalent of a role in the programming craft of a choral conductor? What's the purpose of a theme anyway, and what might it look like to have program without any theme? Perhaps a theme is inevitable, but its worth thinking about to keep things in context.…

1
Canon goes Boom! 1:06:19

6y ago1:06:19

1:06:19

Richard and Eric make their return after a short winter hiatus. They begin 2020 discussing the choral "canon" and some composers therein. What is it? What do we do with it or how do we engage with it? Does it matter whether we engage with it or not nowadays? Should we care that some "great" composers may find themselves generally forgotten? https:/…

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What's the Point? 1:23:23

6y ago1:23:23

1:23:23

Richard and Eric respond to a small excerpt about Nora Ephron found in Greg McKeown's wonderful book: "Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less." Finding out "the point" of something is worth considering, and the two try to figure it out as it relates to the choral art and conducting. Perhaps an impossible task... They go so far as to ask what…

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Bring Your Tired... 46:26

6y ago46:26

46:26

Richard and Eric broach the subject and philosophy of being within the ensemble. How 'real' are we really willing to get with the people around us? When we enter a space, do we think it is important to 'leave everything at the door?' How do we navigate being tired or depressed? How do we encourage others who are dealing with that same tiredness? Th…

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Mr. Maslow Goes To A Choir Concert 1:19:06

6y ago1:19:06

1:19:06

Richard and Eric take an unusual approach in discerning what it means to have successful choirs in performance and practice. Looking through the lens of Abraham Maslow's mid-20th Century psychological paradigm of an 'Hierarchy of Needs,' fully expressed in his 1954 book "Motivation and Personality," they look at key factors that potentially make in…

1
Sacred Cow Tipping: The 'Warm-Up' 1:00:45

6y ago1:00:45

1:00:45

Richard and Eric ramble on in attempting to tip over a perceived 'sacred cow' of the current choral scene: the 'warm-up'. What is a choral 'warm-up,' and what are the various ways it could be seen to be a positive or negative tool and experience? Are we being thoughtful in our time 'warming up' an ensemble, or is this a time of ritual and routine? …

1
Retreat to Move Forward 59:26

6y ago59:26

59:26

It is Season 2, folks! Richard and Eric dig deep and cover the highly controversial and substantive topic of the yearly Choir Retreat, which is fraught with dangers, terror, and drama. Oh the drama! Besides telling a few stories, the guys talk a bit about the potential importance of a retreat at the beginning of the choral calendar.…

1
Cult of the Conductor 1:08:42

6+ y ago1:08:42

1:08:42

Richard and Eric take a look at an article about the late Robert Shaw composed in 2006 by Peter Phillips (conductor of the Tallis Scholars) entitled "The Cult of the Conductor". Phillips briefly analyzes the methodology of Shaw as well as the choral outcomes that arise from such (perceived) methods. Though they discuss the article in full, the guys…

1
Art for Art's Sake 1:12:14

6+ y ago1:12:14

1:12:14

Back after a short summer hiatus Richard and Eric take up the surprisingly controversial topic,"l’art pour l’art" (art for art’s sake), brought back into contemporary consciousness by Yo Yo Ma’s recent Harvard Gazette interview. Made famous by author Théophile Gautier, and argued about in a variety of ways over many (many) years, this concept provi…

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Hedonic Adaptation: Watching the Wheels 1:11:42

6+ y ago1:11:42

1:11:42

Richard and Eric examine the prevalent human adaptive process called "hedonic adaptation" and its relevance to not only our daily life, but more specifically: choral conducting. What is the hedonic treadmill, and once we understand what it is, is there a way to get off? There must be something more and deeper than just this "pursuit of happiness" t…

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Rank the Requiems 59:16

6+ y ago59:16

59:16

Richard and Eric take a break from their recent heavy lifting to rank the top 5 choral Requiems of all time. Some surprises are in store if you love the Office of the Dead! Tomfoolery and skullduggery ensue as the guys go full Requiem.By Eric Barnum and Richard Robbins

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Virtual Choir: Buckminster Fuller's Fever Dream 1:27:48

6+ y ago1:27:48

1:27:48

Richard and Eric discuss the now famous Virtual Choir phenomenon and its varying ramifications on not only the choral community but on greater social society. In their critique, they attempt the impossible by unifying seemingly disparate ideas of thinkers and philosophers such as Debord, Baudrillard, Eco, Kierkegaard, all in too short of a time. Is…

1
Yearly Double Take 1:11:41

6+ y ago1:11:41

1:11:41

Richard and Eric take a brief look back at their year and find its a little harder to do than it would seem. What can be learned from the many surprises and disappointments the season or school year annually present? The guys also answer a listener email and reference the inimitable Gordan MacRae. 'musica obscura' looks at Communist composer Hanns …

1
Context, Dr. Strangelove, Context. 1:04:23

6+ y ago1:04:23

1:04:23

Richard and Eric discuss a recent article from The Spectator by Andrew Mahon, who was critical of Peter Sellars's staging of the St. John Passion of J.S. Bach. The article forms a jumping-off point to examine the role context plays in performance, performance practice, and artistic interpretation. There are a number of relevant issues surrounding t…

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Where Have All the Critics Gone? Feat. Dr. Jeremiah Cawley 1:52:25

6+ y ago1:52:25

1:52:25

In what amounts to a double episode, Richard and Eric are joined by special guest Dr. Jeremiah Cawley, and plunge into the deep end of the pool to discuss the state of criticism and its usefulness in the choral world. What is a critic and what is good criticism? Do we as a culture have a growing distaste, distrust, or maybe misunderstanding of what…

1
Sacred Cow Tipping: Closing With a 'Crowd-Pleaser' 1:06:11

6+ y ago1:06:11

1:06:11

Richard and Eric try a new mode of discussion and ramble on in attempting to tip over a perceived 'sacred cow' of the current choral scene: closing concerts with 'crowd-pleasing' pieces. This seemingly simple idea has a surprisingly large number of factors and variables to ruminate on, and the boys end up perhaps having more questions than when the…