Are schools allowed to have Christmas concerts? Can you wish your students "Merry Christmas?" Can one put up a nativity scene or Christmas tree on public property? These are all questions answered in today's podcast. You might also check out Episode 10, Why I Don't Do Christmas Concerts. Download a copy of the letter I received from my principal that gives some of the references for why these things are allowed....
Nov 04, 2015•7 min
It's easy to fall into the trap of comparing what you do with what other band directors are doing. Are you doing that? Take Newhart's advice...Just Stop It!
Oct 28, 2015•7 min
When I started at my current school, I was determined NOT to have a Marching Band. My mentor convinced me otherwise. Listen as I share three reasons why Marching Band Is Needed Now More Than Ever.
Sep 30, 2015•8 min
Did you know 10% of students are good leaders, 80% are followers and 10% are bad leaders? Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser and I discuss this and other important topics centered around student leadership, something he is very passionate about. Find out more about Dr. Tim: Attitude Concepts for Today Music for All Tim's book, "The Art of Successful Teaching" Tim's book, "The Joy of Inspired Teaching"...
Sep 23, 2015•17 min
Why you should throw practice sheets away and aim for a systematic, progressive test of skills for your music students.
Sep 09, 2015•7 min
Tips for starting your own band booster organization, and avoid the HUGE mistake I made!
Sep 02, 2015•12 min
Aug 26, 2015•19 min
Download the podcast here Episode 50: Interview with Julie Novak; Tips for teaching students with aural/visual challenges On today's podcast, I interview my friend and colleague Julie Novak, who teaches music at The Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind. She shares tips on what you can do as a band director if you have students who are visually or aurally challenged.Links Ohio State School for the Blind Marching Band Program About Music for Braille Music to Braille Software American Music Thera...
Aug 19, 2015•17 min
Busy, Busy, Busy, (but a good busy)...that describes these last few weeks for me and why I missed two weeks of the podcast. I used tip #1 myself in these 7 tips for what to do (and not to do) the last few weeks of band class.
May 06, 2015•9 min
Some people dread having to call parents. It doesn't have to be that way. Here are five tips that will help you communicate with your band parents more effectively. I'll also share my guarantee at the end that has virtually eliminated angry parents.
Apr 15, 2015•10 min
When I first started teaching at the high school level, I was afraid of starting a marching band. Many of my colleagues were suffering from burnout due to marching band.My wise mentor, Dr. Ed Cannava, encouraged me to go for it. He reminded me I was the one in control of the schedule.Starting a marching band was one of the best things I did for my program. Get some tips and advice on the show. Link to store where you can have shirts made Link to used marching band uniforms...
Apr 08, 2015•16 min
Dr. Matt Talbert of Berea College shares insights on teaching, especially which battles are worth fighting. Should directors place emphasis on posture, long tones, fundamentals, and why.Berea college is one of about 6 work colleges that don't charge tuition. Find out more about the music program at Berea HERE .
Mar 18, 2015•33 min
Sometimes we are too hard on ourselves, and Jared is no exception. Hear about some of his journey as a teacher and leading up to his winning the Grammy Music Educator of the Year award.Find out why some people call him The Energizer Bunny.
Mar 11, 2015•20 min
Today's podcast is short and to the point. Create a rhythm sheet to save precious rehearsal time. Sample Carnival of the Animals Worksheet score
Feb 25, 2015•4 min
In this episode, James shares a very personal story of seeing abuse and being abused and how this affected his teaching. His Forgiveness Journey helped him be a better teacher. Listen for the free book offer in the podcast.
Feb 18, 2015•16 min
In the music field, we are all striving for perfectionism...it's what makes us good at what we do. However, if we aren't careful, we can make this an all-consuming cycle that drags us down physically and emotionally. Five tips to help you not to succumb.
Feb 11, 2015•9 min
- Kevin Beaber teaches band, choir and guitar in Crowley County, Colorado. He has been in rural schools for his entire three decade career. - Not only does Kevin love teaching in a rural area, he is part of national organizations; in fact he's currently President of American School Band Director's Association. You can get free resources at their site, like a guide for Administrator's who are evaluating music teachers. - Have a question about teaching in a rural area? Kevin would like to hear fro...
Feb 04, 2015•31 min
- Stephen has 1,114 compositions (and counting) to his credit. He's not only a composer but a music educator too with 17 years of full time teaching experience. - www.stormworld.com - One of his tools, and one I have been using for over a year, is his Function Chorales. These are composed using numbers rather than written music so they can be played in any key. You can find a free sample on the site. - A tool I just recently purchased and am looking forward to using is Scaleworks. - There are a ...
Jan 28, 2015•47 min
Classroom Discipline is the wrong way to describe what we do. Over 95% of discipline problems are resolved BEFORE they occur by having the right structure. - In this episode we talk about four specific strategies that you can incorporate today to improve your band class, and none of them have anything to do with music.
Jan 21, 2015•9 min
You may have read Trey's column in The Instrumentalist, "Life of Reely", where he shares funny stories from his music ed experiences. Trey is in the trenches everyday just like you and me, and he's also a writer. Find out about the persistence it took for him to get into writing and his biggest triumph and biggest mistake as a teacher. Get all of Trey's books HERE . I just ordered one of each! You can also check him out at GIA publications. Trey is available as a speaker/clinician at your state ...
Jan 14, 2015•33 min
Please excuse my shaky voice in this interview. I am fully recovered from being sick (except for my voice). Do you teach at a school where hardly anyone takes private lessons? Have you ever wished there was a formalized progressive music evaluation tool that increases musical achievement and is adaptable to your band? You need to check out The Power in the Progress System. My guest today- Dr. Dwight Satterwhite - has taught for 48 years! He "retired" from the University of Georgia, but is still ...
Jan 07, 2015•25 min
I had a chance to meet Steven at the Colorado ASTA Conference this summer. He is a very interesting composer and teacher who currently serves as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at New York University. In this podcast, Steven and I have a conversation about some of the following topics: - Why writing the ending (and beginning) of a song is difficult - Why he wishes he would have earned his doctorate sooner - The importance of the 31st Proverb in a marriage (and in composition) - Why "waiting to be...
Dec 10, 2014•41 min
Are schools allowed to have Christmas concerts? Can you wish your students "Merry Christmas?" Can one put up a nativity scene or Christmas tree on public property? These are all questions answered in today's podcast. You might also check out Episode 10, Why I Don't Do Christmas Concerts.
Dec 03, 2014•7 min
Join me as I interview Travis J Weller. Travis is a middle/high school band director AND a composer. In this interview we talk about a lot of things, including Travis' biggest mistake and biggest triumph. He has been at his school almost 20 years! What does Michael Jordan have to do with music education? How important is it to obtain a master's and doctorate degrees? How Brian Balmages - another composer - influenced Travis, and how he was influenced by Beethoven too. You don't want to miss thre...
Nov 20, 2014•50 min
Have you been offered a job teaching band but it includes a guitar and orchestra class? Do you feel unqualified to teach the class? I did too! Listen to the podcast and learn how you can teach guitar and orchestra and how I came to enjoy it. I am in my tenth year of teaching those classes. The Guitar Manufacturing Association sponsors several Teaching Guitar Workshops all across the country. The one week workshop is a great hands on experience that will get you started. I also joined the America...
Nov 12, 2014•11 min
The learning one obtains as part of a master's program can be so important. Scott McKee's father Max McKee developed the American Band College program (known by many as ABC) many years ago. In addition to an affordable master's degree, ABC offers many resources to help band directors. The 3 year master's features 25 faculty each year - names such as Doc Severinsen and Eugene Rousseau - so students experience 75 teachers in their three years. Find the resources and more info about the program at ...
Nov 04, 2014•26 min
A master's degree is important for the learning one acquires, and it can be obtained much quicker and at a lower cost than one might imagine.
Oct 29, 2014•22 min
Dr. Steve Ambrose took a band program from 19 students to over 100, then became head of music in a large district. Find out his biggest regret and greatest triumph. Invite Steve to clinic or guest conduct your next event. Find him at www.2forfunband.com and www.billdealsband.com .
Oct 22, 2014•26 min
You too can start a band website for your school band. Can you create documents in Word with photos and formatting? Then you have the skills to create a website.
Sep 26, 2014•12 min
Do you wish you had more tubas and low brass? Do you have an abundance of flutes and no clarinets? In this episode, I share some tips on how you can obtain better instrumentation in your bands.
Sep 19, 2014•14 min
