You’ve just performed your last concert and there are two weeks left in school. Now what? Has the show benefited you? Would you consider supporting the podcast with a $5/month pledge through patreon or make a one time donation of any amount through Paypal ( jamesthedivine@gmail.com ). Find out more about fundraising for your program at Scool Services Check out Music, Instruments and Science which includes 8+ lessons that are great for use on sub or distance learning days. Need a speaker for your...
May 26, 2021•13 min
There is nothing about a lost life that is easy. I experienced a huge loss in a community I served a number of years ago. I navigated it with great difficulty, anguish of heart, and much prayer. Hope my journey helps you. Has the show benefited you? Would you consider supporting the podcast with a $5/month pledge through patreon or make a one time donation of any amount through Paypal ( jamesthedivine@gmail.com ). Find out more about fundraising for your program at Scool Services Check out Music...
May 19, 2021•8 min
A parade can be a lot of fun - or it can be stressful and annoying. The choice is really up to you. These tips can help it lean more towards the fun side! Has the show benefited you? Would you consider supporting the podcast with a $5/month pledge through patreon or make a one time donation of any amount through Paypal ( jamesthedivine@gmail.com ). Find out more about fundraising for your program at Scool Services Check out Music, Instruments and Science which includes 8+ lessons that are great ...
May 12, 2021•8 min
Although I have been in music my entire adult life - 34 years to be exact - I did not have a music degree until I was 43 years old. I had wanted to earn my master's degree for many years, but kids, life, and cost prevented me. There are excellent master's in music education that cost 25, 35, 50 thousand or more! Do you know what I paid for mine? Just $9,000! It's more affordable than you think. And there were no student loans.
Apr 28, 2021•7 min
Air will get you there! I learned this from one of my mentors when he would come to work with my band - and even as a professional musician - when taking lessons - I was told to USE MORE AIR. In this episode I share three tips to help your beginners get a fuller, rounder, thicker, more beautiful tone. It's a process - a life long one at that! Has the show benefited you? Would you consider supporting the podcast with a $5/month pledge through patreon or make a one time donation of any amount thro...
Apr 21, 2021•5 min
I recently taught these exact same lessons to my 6th, 7th, and 8th grade bands. It didn't take them long to get the hang of playing notes the proper length and acquiring a swing feel. In this episode, I lead you through the process to teach the same concepts to your band. Has the show benefited you? Would you consider supporting the podcast with a $5/month pledge through patreon or make a one time donation of any amount through Paypal ( jamesthedivine@gmail.com ). Find out more about fundraising...
Apr 14, 2021•9 min
It has been a crazy year for teachers! Even though I KNOW I am where I am supposed to be, I still found myself looking at job postings at least 100x the last year. Listen in as I share from my heart about my calling and how those of us with a high EQ can navigate our crazy feelings. Has the show benefited you? Would you consider supporting the podcast with a $5/month pledge through patreon or make a one time donation of any amount through Paypal ( jamesthedivine@gmail.com ). Find out more about ...
Apr 07, 2021•11 min
It's that season, where band teacher jobs are listed and many people change schools. Make sure you change for the RIGHT reason. Here are some tips that helped me a few years ago when I changed positions. Has the show benefited you? Would you consider supporting the podcast with a $5/month pledge through patreon or make a one time donation of any amount through Paypal ( jamesthedivine@gmail.com ). Find out more about fundraising for your program at Scool Services Check out Music, Instruments and ...
Mar 24, 2021•8 min
College is great, but we don't learn everything we need to know there. In this episode, I share seven things I wish I knew BEFORE I started teaching. Learn from my experience. Has the show benefited you? Would you consider supporting the podcast with a $5/month pledge through patreon or make a one time donation of any amount through Paypal ( jamesthedivine@gmail.com ). Find out more about fundraising for your program at Scool Services Check out Music, Instruments and Science which includes 8+ le...
Mar 17, 2021•10 min
There is life after teaching band. It MAY be something still in music, but it may be something totally unrelated to music. You have many options! To get my free resource 40 Ways to Make Money as a Musician send me an email at jamesthedivine@gmail.com. Has the show benefited you? Would you consider supporting the podcast with a $5/month pledge through patreon or make a one time donation of any amount through Paypal ( jamesthedivine@gmail.com ). Find out more about fundraising for your program at ...
Mar 10, 2021•7 min
You are not going to be the best teacher you can be if you don't put your needs first - physical, relational, spiritual. When you take care of you, you are more equipped to serve your students. Everything in life works under the pay now or pay later rule. Has the show benefited you? Would you consider supporting the podcast with a $5/month pledge through patreon or make a one time donation of any amount through Paypal ( jamesthedivine@gmail.com ). Find out more about fundraising for your program...
Mar 03, 2021•5 min
In this podcast, I share some great tips and ideas that you can use to create traditions and develop a great culture in your band. You must be intentional in this. The traditions you create will often be the memories that students think of years from now. You have the power to create a terrific culture! Has the show benefited you? Would you consider supporting the podcast with a $5/month pledge through patreon or make a one time donation of any amount through Paypal ( jamesthedivine@gmail.com )....
Feb 24, 2021•11 min
What do you think when your principal tells you she would like for you to incorporate reading into band? Do you inwardly groan? Do you dread the thought of giving up an entire day of music for reading? It doesn't have to be that way. In this episode, I interview reading expert Dr. Danny Brassell. He shares tips and strategies to incorporate reading WITHOUT taking away from what you are doing musically. We should incorporate reading - and history - and music theory - and lift unheard voices - but...
Feb 10, 2021•49 min
Even though teaching may look differently for a while, you can still engage your students! In this episode, I share five tips that have worked for me. Has the show benefited you? Would you consider making a one time donation of $5? Donate here : Find out more about fundraising for your program at Scool Services Check out Music, Instruments and Science which includes 8+ lessons that are great for use on sub or distance learning days. Need a speaker for your event? Need leadership training for you...
Jan 27, 2021•8 min
These are trying times! Even though I currently don't teach marching band, I am considering starting one at my middle school (I started and taught marching band for a decade or more at my previous school). Through marching band, we learn team work and socialization and leadership skills! Also see Episode 47: How To Start a Marching Band Has the show benefited you? Would you consider making a one time donation of $5? Donate here : Find out more about fundraising for your program at Scool Services...
Jan 20, 2021•4 min
Join me as I interview tuba Professor Scott Watson of the University of Kansas. We talk about starting students on tuba, as well as recruiting, switching, and tips for producing a great sound. Scott also shares about a method he created using words to paint sound concepts into students' brains. These words are effective in both one on one as well as in band instruction. Find out more at www.brassword.net. Listeners of the Music Ed Podcast can get a special discount by entering code divineface. H...
Jan 13, 2021•48 min
This is a replay of an episode I recorded in 2012. Excuse the sound quality. Many of you may not even be doing ANY concerts this year, much less a Christmas concert. In this very short episode, I just wanted to share some of my thoughts on why I chose many years ago to not have Christmas concerts. Maybe this will give you an idea for the future, when concerts return and the pandemic is a thing of the past. Disclaimer - I do set students up in caroling groups and we go around the school, often wi...
Dec 02, 2020•3 min
#2minuteteachertuneup www.jamesdivine.net
Nov 25, 2020•1 min
A few weeks ago I did something I thought I would NEVER do - switch to teaching something besides music. Now this isn't permanent, and I'm not advocating this for everyone. I share this primarily to encourage you that if you find yourself needing to shift for any reason, you CAN do it. Has the show benefited you? Would you consider making a one time donation of $5? Donate here : Find out more about fundraising for your program at Scool Services Check out Music, Instruments and Science which incl...
Nov 18, 2020•8 min
#2minuteteachertuneup www.jamesdivine.net
Nov 11, 2020•57 sec
It's time to radically rethink grading - not because of a pandemic but because our current way of grading is outdated. Imagine if you showed up for work Monday-Thursday and gave it your all, 100%, every day. But then you decided to slack off on Fridays and only give 10%. Your grade would be a B, but you would still lose your job. Listen in as I share my radical grading. Do you think it can work? Email me and let me know your thoughts. Has the show benefited you? Would you consider making a one t...
Nov 04, 2020•7 min
#2minuteteachertuneup www.jamesdivine.net
Oct 28, 2020•42 sec
If you don't actively seek ways of reducing the stress in your life, you ARE going to burn out. In this episode, I share six strategies for reducing that stress. I use all of these as part of my own plan to be able to teach for a LONG time. Has the show benefited you? Would you consider making a one time donation of $5? Donate here : Find out more about fundraising for your program at Scool Services Check out Music, Instruments and Science which includes 8+ lessons that are great for use on sub ...
Oct 21, 2020•7 min
#2minuteteachertuneup www.jamesdivine.net
Oct 14, 2020•1 min
"Be the person your dog thinks you are."...DJ Eshelman Wow DJ! That seems almost impossible to attain. Music teachers - you have powerful influence to change the young people in the world for good - or for bad. Join me as DJ shares stories about his life and developing a Better Than You Found It mindset. Find out more about DJ's coaching, his blogs, and what's happening in his life HERE . Also listen to his podcast Better Than You Found It . Has the show benefited you? Would you consider making ...
Oct 07, 2020•48 min
www.jamesdivine.net #twominuteteachertuneup
Oct 01, 2020•1 min
www.jamesdivine.net #twominuteteachertuneup
Sep 29, 2020•47 sec
Despite changes in our profession - or maybe because of these changes - large ensembles are more important than ever. Our groups invite collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, analysis, multi-tasking and dozens of other skills valued in society. In this episode I share why large ensembles are so important. Has the show benefited you? Would you consider making a one time donation of $5? Donate here : Find out more about fundraising for your program at Scool Services Check out Music, Instrum...
Sep 23, 2020•10 min
#2minuteteachertuneup www.jamesdivine.net
Sep 17, 2020•2 min
www.jamesdivine.net #2minuteteachertuneup
Sep 15, 2020•39 sec
