In this week’s episode, we chat with Chris Prosser, Lecturer in Theory at the Butler School of Music, about the upcoming 2025 Here Be Monsters music festival. Chris walks us through this year’s exciting and eclectic lineup, which spans two nights of cutting-edge performances. 

In this episode, we talk to Rachel Spencer, a D.M.A. student in jazz trumpet performance, about the upcoming tour of Japan. Rachel not only discusses the tour, but also shares insights into what jazz music education looks like in the United States, particularly in K–12 schools. She reflects on her experience teaching jazz at the middle school, high school, and now university level, and explains why jazz education is fundamental to developing lifelong musicians.

we sit down with Sam Lipman to discuss the world premiere of his Concerto for Trumpet and Orchestra, set to be performed next week by the Austin Symphony.