Don’t be afraid of incorporating string players into your band program. I’m not talking about starting kids on strings. This episode provides helpful hints when a string player moves in - with experience - and there is no string program in your school. Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here: jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. List of Speaking Topics. www.jamesdivine.net Has the show benefited you? Would you consider a one time donat...
Nov 15, 2023•6 min
Do you have problems with kids writing on the music stands? This episode can help. Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here: jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. List of Speaking Topics. www.jamesdivine.net Has the show benefited you? Would you consider a one time donation of any amount? Paypal CashApp: $jazzysaxman Are you in need of coaching? Set up a free 45 minute session . Free Smooth Jazz Music Some resources you may be interested...
Nov 08, 2023•3 min
You hear one of your colleagues is leaving, or a student has quit band and chose another class. How do you treat them? The short of it…the same. Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here: jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. List of Speaking Topics. www.jamesdivine.net Has the show benefited you? Would you consider a one time donation of any amount? Paypal CashApp: $jazzysaxman Are you in need of coaching? Set up a free 45 minute session...
Nov 01, 2023•4 min
Balance and Blend can seem difficult to teach, but these 5 tips will get you going in the right direction. And you’ll be surprised at how much fixing balance and blend also fixes intonation. Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here: jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. List of Speaking Topics. www.jamesdivine.net Has the show benefited you? Would you consider a one time donation of any amount? Paypal CashApp: $jazzysaxman Are you in nee...
Oct 25, 2023•7 min
Deciding if it is time to leave is a very personal decision and not one to be taken lightly. Beware of receiving advice regarding this from people you don’t know on social media. Best to talk to someone who is mostly going to ask you questions. I spent two years too long at my first two positions. Position number three was just right. Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here: jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. List of Speaking Topics....
Oct 18, 2023•15 min
I often had 5 groups perform 18 songs in less than 60 minutes. It can be done! This episode tells you how. Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here: jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. List of Speaking Topics. www.jamesdivine.net Has the show benefited you? Would you consider a one time donation of any amount? Paypal CashApp: $jazzysaxman Are you in need of coaching? Set up a free 45 minute session . Free Smooth Jazz Music Some resourc...
Oct 11, 2023•8 min
Are there times in your career when it’s best to move forward without asking permission? Yes, but do it cautiously. Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here: jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. List of Speaking Topics. www.jamesdivine.net Has the show benefited you? Would you consider a one time donation of any amount? Paypal CashApp: $jazzysaxman Are you in need of coaching? Set up a free 45 minute session . Get my FREE TRAINING, 7 Ti...
Oct 04, 2023•7 min
Recently I competed in a triathlon. It consisted of a 1/2 mile swim, 17.2 mile bike ride, and 3.1 mile run. I learned several lessons that also apply to teaching music: Pace Yourself Take care of yourself Realize Your Weaknesses and Adapt Finish Well Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here: jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. List of Speaking Topics. www.jamesdivine.net Has the show benefited you? Would you consider a one time donatio...
Sep 27, 2023•13 min
There are things we learn by experience the hard way. You can be ahead of me and others by learning them through my experience. Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here: jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. List of Speaking Topics. www.jamesdivine.net Has the show benefited you? Would you consider a one time donation of any amount? Paypal CashApp: $jazzysaxman Are you in need of coaching? Set up a free 45 minute session . Get my FREE TR...
Sep 20, 2023•6 min
I like to tell my students that it's easy to get an A in band, but it's not an easy A. An easy A means you get it just for showing up. Easy to get an A means you will work for it, but there's no reason you shouldn't be able to earn one. Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here: jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. List of Speaking Topics. www.jamesdivine.net Has the show benefited you? Would you consider a one time donation of any amoun...
Sep 13, 2023•6 min
It takes just as much work to take a band from a 1 to a 7 as it does to take a band from a 9 to a 9.2, but the director of the latter will probably get more recognition. That’s just a fact of life. Don’t let that deter you from being persistent and continually working to improve. Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here: jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. List of Speaking Topics. www.jamesdivine.net Has the show benefited you? Would y...
Sep 06, 2023•5 min
It’s so easy to become jealous of other directors. I struggled with this for many years. I finally stopped (mostly) about 5 years ago. Here’s hoping this will help you stop now. Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here: jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. List of Speaking Topics. www.jamesdivine.net Has the show benefited you? Would you consider a one time donation of any amount? Paypal CashApp: $jazzysaxman Are you in need of coaching...
Aug 30, 2023•4 min
Having both beginners and intermediate students in the same class at the same time is not ideal, but it can be done. In this epiosde I share some tips on how you can make it work. Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here: jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. Get my FREE TRAINING, 7 Tips To Save 5 Hours This Week and Every Week Subscribe in iTunes Free Smooth Jazz Music Has the show benefited you? Would you consider a one time donation o...
Aug 23, 2023•4 min
When suggesting reeds for sax and clarinet players, should you choose Vandoren, Rico, some other brand? What strength reed should you start students on? What reed should you avoid? More tips on How To Prevent Your Saxes From Sounding Like Honking Geese Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here: jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. Get my FREE TRAINING, 7 Tips To Save 5 Hours This Week and Every Week Subscribe in iTunes Free Smooth Jazz M...
Aug 16, 2023•3 min
Do you struggle with staying organized? In this episode, I share some strategies that may be helpful... Creat a Beginning of Year Task List Aim for inbox zero Binders and clipboards are your friend And more... Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here: jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. Get my FREE TRAINING, 7 Tips To Save 5 Hours This Week and Every Week Subscribe in iTunes Free Smooth Jazz Music Has the show benefited you? Would you ...
Aug 09, 2023•7 min
Remember Nancy Reagan’s theme from the 1980s to Just Say No to drugs? She was made fun of, but it is an effective strategy. You may not struggle with drugs, but I bet you do struggle with saying no! When you say yes youre saying no to something else. Many miss the great doing the good Say NO to overtime so you can say YES to your family Say NO to overeating so you can say YES to a better quality life Say NO to going out to eat so you can say YES to your retirement account Here are some real NOs ...
Aug 02, 2023•12 min
Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here: jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. Need a music program software management system? Check out www.batonsync.com . Get my FREE TRAINING, 7 Tips To Save 5 Hours This Week and Every Week 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 any amount through Paypal ( jamesthedivine@gmail.com )? Some ...
May 10, 2023•8 min
Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here: jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. Need a music program software management system? Check out www.batonsync.com . Get my FREE TRAINING, 7 Tips To Save 5 Hours This Week and Every Week 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 any amount through Paypal ( jamesthedivine@gmail.com )? Some ...
May 03, 2023•4 min
You have got to listen to this fantastic interview with Scott Watson! Scott is an experienced music teacher and composer. Besides his wonderful works like "Aesop's Fables: The Tortoise and the Hare, Extraordinary Machines of Clockwork and Steam," and more, Scott has created tons of FREE resources to aid in your teaching. Check out his works and his free materials at www.scottwatsonmusic.com
Mar 22, 2023•37 min
Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here: jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. Need a music program software management system? Check out www.batonsync.com . Get my FREE TRAINING, 7 Tips To Save 5 Hours This Week and Every Week 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 any amount through Paypal ( jamesthedivine@gmail.com )? Some ...
Mar 08, 2023•5 min
Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here: jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. Need a music program software management system? Check out www.batonsync.com . Get my FREE TRAINING, 7 Tips To Save 5 Hours This Week and Every Week 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 any amount through Paypal ( jamesthedivine@gmail.com )? Some ...
Feb 22, 2023•7 min
Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here: jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. Need a music program software management system? Check out www.batonsync.com . Get my FREE TRAINING, 7 Tips To Save 5 Hours This Week and Every Week 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 any amount through Paypal ( jamesthedivine@gmail.com )? Some ...
Feb 08, 2023•6 min
Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here: jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. Need a music program software management system? Check out www.batonsync.com . Get my FREE TRAINING, 7 Tips To Save 5 Hours This Week and Every Week 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 any amount through Paypal ( jamesthedivine@gmail.com )? Some ...
Jan 25, 2023•4 min
Join me as I interview music educator and author Adrian Gordon. Adrian is the author of “Note To Self: A Music Director’s Guide for Transitioning to a New School and Building a Thriving Music Program. Order the book and find out more about Adrian at www.adriangordonmusic.com . He and I had a great time discussing the issues transitioning directors face. His book is full of practical wisdom you can incorporate today. Need a music program software management system? Check out www.batonsync.com . H...
Jan 11, 2023•43 min
www.jamesdivine.net Here are a few things I have learned about selecting music for wind band… Ability Level of the Ensemble You Direct: A piece of music may be the greatest creation ever made, but if it is too difficult for the students to play, they will become discouraged. I often made the mistake of selecting literature that was too difficult in the early years of my career. Does this mean that there should never be a piece in the folder that is beyond students’ reach? No, there should always...
Dec 14, 2022•7 min
www.jamesdivine.net Have you ever had a teacher say or do something that had a huge impact on you for your entire life? I have had many of these opportunities. Some teachers affect you in a negative way. I’ve had my share of those. Most of my teachers had huge, positive impacts on my life. My seventh grade band teacher was one of them. I went to a rough school in seventh grade. Remember tube socks from the 70s? On the last day of school, it was not unusual to have some of the teens in the neighb...
Dec 07, 2022•4 min
There are four key areas that – if you focus on these and make them a priority – they can help you be a better band director. None of them have anything to do with music, but the word “BAND” does fall nicely into place to help you remember them. B-Bread Watch what you eat! When life gets busy, it can be very easy to grab something to go. I once was 30 pounds heavier than I am right now, all due to poor eating choices and failure to plan. Plan ahead what you are going to eat. Buy some healthy sna...
Nov 30, 2022•4 min
Have you ever looked into a software management system for your band, one that can help you track inventory, budgets, uniforms, finances, lockers, ensemble lists and more? If so, you know how expensive it can be. Husband and wife team Jennifer (band teacher) and Kris (software developer) have joined forces to create an inexpensive solution for you. Their Baton Sync software is just $20 per month (that's total, not per student). And it's been tested with Jennifer's bands. Get a free trial and fin...
Nov 18, 2022•38 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 ...
Oct 19, 2022•4 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 ...
Oct 05, 2022•7 min
