This episode is sponsored by Adulting 101: Why Don’t They Teach That in School? Get free lessons and find out more at www.adulting411.net . Get my FREE TRAINING, 7 Tips To Save 5 Hours This Week and Every Week Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here: jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. Subscribe in iTunes Free Smooth Jazz Music Multitude of links and resources here Has the show benefited you? Would you consider a one time donation of ...
Sep 21, 2022•8 min
This episode is sponsored by Adulting 101: Why Don’t They Teach That in School? Get free lessons and find out more at www.adulting411.net . Get my FREE TRAINING, 7 Tips To Save 5 Hours This Week and Every Week Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here: jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. Subscribe in iTunes Free Smooth Jazz Music Multitude of links and resources here Has the show benefited you? Would you consider a one time donation of ...
Sep 16, 2022•10 min
Get my FREE TRAINING, 7 Tips To Save 5 Hours This Week and Every Week Link to my Beginning of Year Task List . Feel free to copy and make your own. Link to Episode 209 - Why I Regret Missing My State Conference Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here: jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. Subscribe in iTunes Free Smooth Jazz Music Multitude of links and resources here Has the show benefited you? Would you consider a one time donation of...
Aug 31, 2022•8 min
Get my FREE TRAINING, 7 Tips To Save 5 Hours This Week and Every Week Link to my Beginning of Year Task List . Feel free to copy and make your own. Link to Episode 209 - Why I Regret Missing My State Conference Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here: jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. Subscribe in iTunes Free Smooth Jazz Music Multitude of links and resources here Has the show benefited you? Would you consider a one time donation of...
Aug 24, 2022•7 min
Get my FREE TRAINING, 7 Tips To Save 5 Hours This Week and Every Week Link to my Beginning of Year Task List . Feel free to copy and make your own. Link to Episode 209 - Why I Regret Missing My State Conference Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here: jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. Subscribe in iTunes Free Smooth Jazz Music Multitude of links and resources here Has the show benefited you? Would you consider a one time donation of...
Aug 10, 2022•7 min
Get my FREE TRAINING, 7 Tips To Save 5 Hours This Week and Every Week Link to my Beginning of Year Task List . Feel free to copy and make your own. Link to Episode 209 - Why I Regret Missing My State Conference Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here: jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. Subscribe in iTunes Free Smooth Jazz Music Multitude of links and resources here Has the show benefited you? Would you consider a one time donation of...
Aug 03, 2022•7 min
Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here: jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. Subscribe in iTunes Multitude of links and resources here Has the show benefited you? Would you consider a one time donation of any amount through Paypal ( jamesthedivine@gmail.com )? Some resources you may be interested in… The Science of Sound , 8 lessons that can be used in class or online. Students make instruments from objects in their home and learn abo...
May 18, 2022•2 min•Ep. 210
www.jamesdivine.net
May 11, 2022•2 min•Ep. 209
www.jamesdivine.net
May 04, 2022•2 min•Ep. 208
Join me as I chat with Band Director Tim Ostrow as he shares his proposal for beginning band class as an exploratory. - What worked and what didn't - The beginning band tool you should get now, even if you aren't considering this model - Band retention under this model has been 90% or higher! - In December, parents help their kids decide whether to continue to band or move to another elective. Are you interested in the Jupiter beginning band kits mentioned in the podcast? They are available thro...
Apr 20, 2022•49 min•Ep. 207
11 Fast and Furious Time Saving Tips 6 Things to STOP doing now and 1 Task to do with food and 4 Things You Should Delegate Some resources you may be interested in… The Science of Sound , 8 lessons that can be used in class or online. Students make instruments from objects in their home and learn about how sound works. Check Out “Why Don’t They Teach That in School My hope is that as a music teacher you are still performing! Whether you want to make some money performing or just need some other ...
Apr 06, 2022•6 min
What if I could give you 7 tips that would help you be more organized and I guarantee your money back if the tips don’t save you at least 5 hours. In fact, I will double your money back that you spend on this episode. We will learn what to do with emails, how to limit your online time, taming meetings, using the 2 minute rule, and more! Some resources you may be interested in… The Science of Sound , 8 lessons that can be used in class or online. Students make instruments from objects in their ho...
Mar 16, 2022•16 min
In this episode, I have a chance to sit down with Practice Skills Curriculum creator Meg Thorup. She has developed a curriculum to TEACH kids How to Practice. Her year-long curriculum is available on teachers pay teachers. It includes 32 lessons and assessments divided into 4 quarters. Some resources you may be interested in… The Science of Sound , 8 lessons that can be used in class or online. Students make instruments from objects in their home and learn about how sound works. Check Out “Why D...
Mar 02, 2022•30 min
Several years ago I left a position I had been at for 13 years. I won’t go into the fine details, but I resigned at the end of the school year after a very difficult year with a very difficult principal. My self-esteem was destroyed! In this episode, I share a little of my journey, I talk about “fake” band directors (unfortunately they’re not going away), and share a few tips on how you can help a colleague if they are going through something similar. Some resources you may be interested in… The...
Feb 16, 2022•9 min
Most people don’t give much thought to retirement until they are too old to make a big difference. The younger you start, the more secure your retirement will be. I started in my early 30s and am now worth over half a million if you count my house. I wish I would have started even sooner. In this episode, I share 5 strategies that you can incorporate now to fund a better retirement. One of the strategies involves Getting Out of Debt. Some resources you may be interested in… The Science of Sound ...
Feb 02, 2022•7 min
Everything in life revolves around this concept of Pay Now or Pay Later. The work you put in now will save you headache, expense, and more later. This applies to our classroom routines and procedures, as well as our health, marriage, finances…you get the idea. I once worked with a teacher who was frustrated that none of her choir students could read music. She could have changed the future if she had been willing to pay now (have the freshman use some class time to learn how to read music), but ...
Jan 19, 2022•6 min
I have been guilty of using these three words way too often…Complaining, Comparing, and Procrastinating. Get rid of these words from your vocabulary. In this episode, I briefly touch on ways to avoid these, I share my own personal experience, and we talk about what Innovation really means. “If it’s worth doing, start now.” …James Divine Some resources you may be interested in… The Science of Sound , 8 lessons that can be used in class or online. Students make instruments from objects in their ho...
Jan 05, 2022•7 min
Has the show benefited you? Would you consider a one time donation of any amount through Paypal ( jamesthedivine@gmail.com )? Check out Music, Instruments and Science which includes 8+ lessons that are great for use on sub or distance learning days. Why don’t they teach that in school?! Check out Adulting 101 . Need a speaker for your event? Need leadership training for your students? I’d love to talk. Have a question for the podcast? jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. Subscribe in iTunes...
Dec 01, 2021•8 min
Has the show benefited you? Would you consider a one time donation of any amount through Paypal ( jamesthedivine@gmail.com )? Check out Music, Instruments and Science which includes 8+ lessons that are great for use on sub or distance learning days. Why don’t they teach that in school?! Check out Adulting 101 . Need a speaker for your event? Need leadership training for your students? I’d love to talk. Have a question for the podcast? jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. Subscribe in iTunes...
Nov 17, 2021•16 min
Has the show benefited you? Would you consider a one time donation of any amount through Paypal ( jamesthedivine@gmail.com )? Check out Music, Instruments and Science which includes 8+ lessons that are great for use on sub or distance learning days. Why don’t they teach that in school?! Check out Adulting 101 . Need a speaker for your event? Need leadership training for your students? I’d love to talk. Have a question for the podcast? jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. Subscribe in iTunes...
Nov 10, 2021•9 min
Has the show benefited you? Would you consider a one time donation of any amount through Paypal ( jamesthedivine@gmail.com )? Check out Music, Instruments and Science which includes 8+ lessons that are great for use on sub or distance learning days. Why don’t they teach that in school?! Check out Adulting 101 . Need a speaker for your event? Need leadership training for your students? I’d love to talk. Have a question for the podcast? jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. Subscribe in iTunes...
Nov 03, 2021•5 min
It is my pleasure to interview the fabulous Dr. Ray Cramer in this episode. Dr. Cramer has inspired so many of us and has devoted a lifetime to music service. He is 81 years old! His best advice for young directors is to be patient, accept students where they are while helping them to get better, be creative, and use your time wisely. Believe it or not, he almost didn't continue in band. "Dr. Zimmerman changed my life." Dr. Cramer also says that "Life isn't always tied with a bow, but it is a gi...
Oct 20, 2021•44 min
Do you have trouble getting a good sound from your saxes? In this episode I share 4 tips - and real life bad and good examples - to help your saxes sound much better with a more focused sound. Sometimes an adaptation in the amount of mouthpiece a student takes, or even the strength of a reed, can make a huge difference. Has the show benefited you? Would you consider a one time donation of any amount through Paypal ( jamesthedivine@gmail.com )? Check out Music, Instruments and Science which inclu...
Oct 13, 2021•4 min
In this episode, I have the privilege of interviewing Dr. Menghini of VanderCook College of Music. We talk about engaging students in the rehearsal process. Do we teach our students, train them, or tell them? There's an important distinction. Do they know what to do? Do you ask them a lot of questions? Hint: You should. That's what teaching is really all about. Let THEM do the work, the thinking, the problem solving. Get in touch with Dr. Menghini at bandtalkcharlie@gmail.com. And subscribe to h...
Oct 06, 2021•48 min
I was transplanted into teaching from a performing career. I didn't know anybody, but I quickly found my homies who could give me advice and encouragement when needed. It's important to find someone you can call - on the phone - or have coffee with. Social media friends don't count. Oh, there are times when that can help, but there are times you just need to cry with someone. The greatest mentor I ever had was Hosea Haynes. He was a member of the American School Band Director's Association, an o...
Sep 15, 2021•6 min
For years I have listened to interviews where people grew up in an award winning program, decided to be a teacher, went back to the award winning program to do their student teaching, found out the director was retiring and wanted them to step into the award winning program, and it continues to be an award winning program. That is wonderful! But it hasn't been my story. I have had to basically build each program from scratch. Don't be afraid of doing that yourself! Has the show benefited you? Wo...
Sep 08, 2021•8 min
With 23 years of teaching and ten as a professional musician, I have learned a lot over the years - much of it the hard way. Not every technique works for every band every single time, but in this episode I share dozens of quick tips that have worked for me and others. Tips to improve tone and tuning, tips to improve balance and technique - and more. Has the show benefited you? Would you consider a one time donation of any amount through Paypal ( jamesthedivine@gmail.com )? Check out Music, Inst...
Sep 01, 2021•13 min
Do you keep a planner, either electronic or old school? It's not enough just to "keep" one. Make it a tool to help you plan your life and keep you balanced. In this episode, I share seven strategies that have helped me be more balanced and be a much more effective teacher. Find out why I have a two year calendar and what exactly I do on Friday nights. Why is it important to learn to say no. Has the show benefited you? Would you consider a one time donation of any amount through Paypal ( jamesthe...
Aug 25, 2021•13 min
Do you feel safe behind the podium? Get out from behind there! It's not the best place for you. In this episode we talk about the podium, pacing, and getting 100% of students to participate. Has the show benefited you? Would you consider a one time donation of any amount through Paypal ( jamesthedivine@gmail.com )? Check out Music, Instruments and Science which includes 8+ lessons that are great for use on sub or distance learning days. Why don’t they teach that in school?! Check out Adulting 10...
Aug 18, 2021•8 min
Do you want to make your first week of school great? Do you want to make band fun? Get the students doing something musical from day one! EVERY OTHER TEACHER is going to spend the entire first day talking about rules, rules, rules. That makes MY eyes glaze over. Sift your rules down to just 2-3. You can always go more in depth later. Start the first week with high expectations and lots of energy. And check out Episode 182: Should You Focus On Sound With Beginners Has the show benefited you? Woul...
Aug 11, 2021•8 min
