Episode 273 - I Burned Out Twice, But It Can Be Avoided - 2 minute episode Burnout! A tip to avoid it. Resources… Jazz From The Start - Jazz and improvisation curriculum you can use as soon as students know 5 notes 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. Check Out “Why Don’t They Teach That in School curriculum Ten Tips To Save 5 Hours This Week and Every Week eBook Complet...
Oct 02, 2024•1 min
Episode 272 - Practice Tips Have you wondered just how to work through those songs - especially if they contain runs? Here are some practical tips. Just make sure to avoid the BIG LIE about practicing. Resources… Jazz From The Start - Jazz and improvisation curriculum you can use as soon as students know 5 notes 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. Check Out “Why Don’t T...
Sep 25, 2024•5 min
Episode 271 - Connect With Positive Teachers - 2 minute episode If there are toxic teachers in the faculty lounge, avoid it like the plague!!!!! Resources… Jazz From The Start - Jazz and improvisation curriculum you can use as soon as students know 5 notes 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. Check Out “Why Don’t They Teach That in School curriculum Ten Tips To Save 5 Ho...
Sep 18, 2024•2 min
Episode 270 - Tips To Emphasize Good Tone All The Time I once had a colleague - a feeder of my school - who stated, “You know what, I’m not going to worry too much about tone, posture, and all those other things. I know you can fix that when they come to you. I want them to have fun.” In a way, he had a good point, but why can’t you do both? In this episode I share a plethora of tips that will help you focus on a good tone every day, every rehearsal, every student, every time. Resources… Jazz Fr...
Sep 11, 2024•8 min
Episode 269 - No Apology Sick Days - 2 minute episode It’s difficult to take sick days when you’re a teacher. This is a time when it’s better to think long term. I had a student almost force me to take a sick day. I took her advice and felt much better. Resources… Jazz From The Start - Jazz and improvisation curriculum you can use as soon as students know 5 notes Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here: jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4...
Sep 04, 2024•2 min
Episode 268 - Discipline Techniques and Tips There’s no single technique that will work every single time in every single classroom - Covid teaching showed us that - but there are many techniques you can put in your bag that can be highly effective. I share a few in this episode. Resources… Jazz From The Start - Jazz and improvisation curriculum you can use as soon as students know 5 notes Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here: jamesthedi...
Aug 28, 2024•6 min
Episode 267 - The Importance of First Impressions and Relationships - 2 minute episode Every other week will be a shorter - usually less than 2 minute - episode. In this episode, I talk about Zoe and why she said my 5th period class - on the first day of school - was the first one she was glad to be in. Resources… Jazz From The Start - Jazz and improvisation curriculum you can use as soon as students know 5 notes Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Con...
Aug 21, 2024•2 min
Episode 266 - What To Do the First Week of School Would you believe I suggest you NOT get started teaching music right away? If you don’t get these strategies and procedures in place from the start, there will be more time wasted throughout the year. Other helpful resources Jazz From The Start - Jazz and improvisation curriculum you can use as soon as students know 5 notes Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here: jamesthedivine@gmail.com or...
Aug 12, 2024•11 min
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May 22, 2024•51 sec
Episode 265 - What To Do the Last 2 Weeks of School It’s important to keep the students engaged even after the final concert. Here are some strategies. 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? HERE or Paypal or CashApp $jazzysaxman or see below Free Smooth Jazz Music Some re...
May 01, 2024•13 min
Episode 263 - 11 Tips To Make The Music Sound Better Are you stuck on what to work on to improve the music? In this episode, I share 11 tips that you can use to help your group sound better. 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? HERE or Paypal or CashApp $jazzysaxman or s...
Apr 24, 2024•8 min
Episode 263 - When Students Misbehave for the Sub Strategies and tips 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? HERE or Paypal or CashApp $jazzysaxman or see below Free Smooth Jazz Music Some resources you may be interested in… 40 Ways To Make Money as a Musician “Why Don’t T...
Apr 17, 2024•8 min
Episode 262 - Stop Comparing I struggled with self-esteem for many years - and I spent too many years comparing myself to other band directors. As Bob Newhart says, “Just Stop It.” 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? HERE or Paypal or CashApp $jazzysaxman or see below F...
Apr 10, 2024•4 min
Episode 261 - Throw Practice Sheets in the Trash In my opinion, they’re useless (except in one case). Find out what to do instead. 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? HERE or Paypal or CashApp $jazzysaxman or see below Free Smooth Jazz Music Some resources you may be in...
Apr 03, 2024•3 min
Check it out here: https://www.jazzysaxman.com/courses-books-curriculum-and-more/ Get 50% off with code springbreak Expires March 31, 2024
Mar 22, 2024•41 sec
Episode 260 - 6 Important Steps to Starting a Booster Organization Find out the HUGE mistake James made in his first booster group (which he had to disband). Learn how to delegate and how to set up a brand new boosters group. 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? HERE or ...
Mar 20, 2024•10 min
Episode 259 - How To Start a Marching Band I once started a marching band from scratch. Difficult? Yes, but very worthwhile. Here are 6 things to consider. 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? HERE or Paypal or CashApp $jazzysaxman or see below Are you in need of coachin...
Mar 13, 2024•10 min
Episode 258 - 15+ Warm-up ideas Dr. Ray Cramer - retired from Indiana University - once told me we should call it “Ensemble Sensitivity Training” rather than warm-ups, because that is what we are doing. Here are 15+ ideas to use that EST time a little better. 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 tim...
Mar 06, 2024•9 min
Episode 257 - Win the hearts of the counselors The counselors are often as overworked and stressed as you are. Here are some tips to win them over. 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? HERE or Paypal or CashApp $jazzysaxman or see below Are you in need of coaching? Set u...
Feb 28, 2024•5 min
Episode 256 - How To Properly Use Festival Warm-up Time When I first started teaching, I thought 30 minutes for warm-up was too long. Over the years I’ve developed the perfect warm-up routine for my bands at festival. 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? HERE or Paypal o...
Feb 21, 2024•7 min
Episode 255 - Band Teacher: You Are a Hero I love to share a motivational speech in which I use my 105 year old sax, humor, music, and personal stories to let people know that - although they may be scratched, dented, and abused like my sax, a beautiful symphony of sound can still come pouring out of their lives. I’d love to speak to your group! www.jamesdivine.net Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here: jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238...
Feb 07, 2024•6 min
Episode 254 - Resources for Teaching Black History Month in the Music Classroom Swing Low Sweet Chariot Wade in the Water Duke Ellington Louis Armstrong Bessie Smith Chuck Berry Little Richard Sister Rosetta Tharpe Marvin Gaye Aretha Franklin 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...
Jan 31, 2024•5 min
Episode 253 - 4 Tips for Assessment and Feedback Formative vs Summative Individual vs Ensemble Be Specific Record 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? HERE or Paypal or CashApp $jazzysaxman Are you in need of coaching? Set up a free 45 minute session . Free Smooth Jazz M...
Jan 24, 2024•7 min
Episode 252 In this episode, I share some tips on the dos and don'ts of repertoire selection. Be wary of doing music that’s too difficult! 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? HERE or Paypal or CashApp $jazzysaxman Are you in need of coaching? Set up a free 45 minute ses...
Jan 17, 2024•9 min
Episode 251 - It’s my privilege in this episode to interview one of my former students, Claire Dupre. Claire is a choral specialist who has also taught orchestra and band. She was the piano player in my jazz band and was in marching band. Claire shares tips on: what does a choral warm-up look like - how to teach choir parts - how to determine what (if any) part a student should sing - other resources and tips. Claire is also a composer. Perhaps you would like to commission her for a project or m...
Jan 10, 2024•26 min
In this episode, I interview Cece Roudabush, Director of Education for New Harmony Line. Hyperscore is their composition program that helps you teach composition, one of our music standards. It’s appropriate for all age levels. It uses an inverted pedagogy, which means the students compose first, then receive coaching on what they have written to improve it. Reach out to her to find out more about this wonderful program. Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional developm...
Jan 03, 2024•22 min
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 in… My hope is that as a music teacher you are still performing! Whether you want ...
Dec 20, 2023•30 sec
Are you going to Midwest? Here are some tips for how to dress, where to eat, what to do with your luggage, and a few places you might visit while there. 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...
Dec 13, 2023•7 min
This episode is a little different. I chat with fellow podcaster and band director Kyle Smith of The Growing Band Director podcast. We discuss several topics that can be of help to band directors. Subscribe to Kyle’s podcast here . 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? Pa...
Dec 06, 2023•52 min
I burned out at 2 schools. I really struggled with learning balance. I finally discovered it at my 3rd school! In this episode I share 7 tips to help you find life balance. Avoid doing what I did! Link to Just Say No article. 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 C...
Nov 29, 2023•4 min
