Jeff Conner is back, talking about what's been going on with the Boston Brass, staying connected during the pandemic and what he listens for in a piece of music. Drew Holmes and Ward Durrett of thepodcastingstore.com share some tips to maximize your virtual experience and how teaching virtually will impact the future.
Dave Knox began as a firefighter and through the unconditional support of his wife made a career change and pursued a degree in music. His passion for music has never wavered and today is responsible for BandDirector.com a website that is a free and incredible resource for the band profession. But beyond that, his story is one everyone must hear - regardless of profession. His mission is to help and to not let anyone ever give up their dreams. This is truly an inspirational conversation....
Ken Snoeck shares his career path and offers great ideas on what teachers can do to get their programs back on track after the pandemic. Denny Senseney talks about what kids "get" from being in band. Great, down-to-earth advice that makes all the difference for directors and programs of all abilities and levels.
Marcellus Brown, who has been Director of Bands at Boise State University for over 30 years, talks about growing up in Detroit and ending up in Boise, ID. His message is simple: "Don't have limitations....then work step by step to grow them (your students) as much as you can." Sage advice from a Master Teacher.
Saul Friedgood, President of Eastman Music Company, shares his story from growing up in Des Moines, IA, working as an aide to some of our nation's top politicians and how that experience has helped him lead an international company. His message of listening and making corrections, seizing opportunities as they come along and remembering that all politics is local is so relevant as we look to the future.
Adam Hill, Assistant Band Director and Percussion Instructor at Romeoville HS, IL and Director of the Chicago Bulls Drum Line chats with Charlie and Adam's college percussion instructor Kevin Lepper about motivating students and how he keeps all the plates spinning. A fascinating conversation with a young, energetic teacher who has all his priorities in the right place.
Dr. Tim and Charlie talk about life after Covid and about the 2020 Virtual Midwest Clinic. Rick Coulter, retired Supervisor of Fine Arts for Williamsport, PA offers practical and proven ways to advocate for your program.
Eric Tinkler and Dr. Philip Payne of Kansas State University talk about their Not Your Forte podcast designed to help music education majors and young teachers on a variety of subjects.
From how he got the name "Doc" to playing on a bugle without a mouthpiece, Doc Severinsen's career is one built on hard work and an understanding that you just have to do the job...which means, you had better practice and get your act together. This conversation sheds great light on why Doc is the greatest trumpet artist of all time. His trumpet artistry and showmanship is only outdone by his humility and his humanity. The world (and especially the music world) is a better place because of Doc S...
Timothy Mahr began writing music to impress a girl but that didn't go very well. Fortunately, he didn't give up writing music and today remains one of the most refreshing voices for the band world. From composing new music to teaching composition at St. Olaf to directing the band, this conversation sheds insight into the talents he shares with his students and the respect he gives to all who have had a hand in his success.
Alex Kaminsky is Director of Bands at VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, IL. Alex shares his journey, his mission to prepare great music teachers through his work and why VanderCook is such a special place to learn how to become a music teacher.
Marcia Neel talks about the Music Achievement Council and the First Performance National Day of Celebration. Cheryl Floyd talks about finding her voice as a teacher and making music a special experience for her students.
Col. Larry H. Lang grew up in El Paso, TX and played trombone in both a garage rock band and the El Paso Symphony Orchestra. He never dreamed that he would spend 29 years in the United States Air Force and 26 of those as Commander and Conductor of an Air Force Band. Col. Lang talks about how music brings people together and what advice he would offer our next President.
Reginald Wright grew up in South Carolina and his career path took him to Proviso East High School in suburban Chicago, a few miles west of downtown. There he created a program that changed lives. He gave his students a reason to be there and band became the best part of their lives and the reason many of them attended high school. Reggie is a professional who never made excuses and always saw the glass as half full. He is a band director who really made a difference.
Elizabeth Jackson Kirchhoff is a high school band director at Eden Prairie HS, MN who epitomizes the joy of being a band director. With contagious enthusiasm, Liz recalls teaching music in a town of 300 and now a high school of over 3,000. Though there are many differences, some things don't change regardless of where and who we teach. This is an inspirational conversation that will make you glad you chose a career in music education.
George Quinlan, Jr. is President of Quinlan and Fabish Music Company in Burr Ridge, IL. In their 61st year of servicing the needs of band and orchestra directors and their students, Q and F is the crowned-jewel of school band and orchestra dealers. With 9 locations, 25 road reps and over 50 technicians, they are a vital link in the recruitment and retention process for the schools they serve. George provides great insights and advice on how your music dealer can help you...especially during thes...
Donald Stinson is the 5th director in the Joliet (IL) High School Band's 108 year history. Here is a young man with a passion to influence his students' lives through music and the rich traditions that made Joliet one of America's finest band programs. Don's story is one of growing up in Joliet with some of the same struggles his students face today, but he refuses to let them be excuses. Don Stinson is a band director who understands the big picture and is determined to let every student enjoy ...
As Paula Crider quit her high school basketball team she was handed a trumpet and a career in music followed. After seven days of student teaching she became the school band director. Paula talks about her days of growing up in Mississippi to becoming director of the University of Texas Longhorn Marching Band. A past president of the National Band Association and American Bandmasters Association, Paula offers wonderful insights and advice to band directors at all levels.
Growing up the son of a dance band drummer, Michael Daugherty would walk to the library to check out record albums to try and figure out what the jazz greats were playing. From there he got thrown out of band for improvising his timpani parts. Today, he is one of the world's most prolific composers for all musical genres. Michael shares his story in a fascinating conversation that will give you great insight into the mind of this American musical treasure.
Cornelius Young teaches 4-8 band at Green Hedges School in Vienna, VA. Dr. Richard Miles is the retired Director of Bands at Morehead State University in Kentucky and the man who compiled and edited the Teaching Music Through Performance in Band book series. Though different stories to tell, there is a common thread these two directors share...they turned the inspiration others gave them into a passion for teaching people to love music.
Michael Levine, founder of the Dallas Brass, talks about Harmony Bridge, a program where students perform for impacted members of the community. Diane Koutsulis, the daughter of Greek immigrants shares how winning a brand-new Lincoln Continental at age 2 ½ changed her life and how The Go Go’s We’ve Got the Beat helped pave the way for her to have an incredible career as a high school band director.
He began on a trumpet with only two valves and through his hard work and persistence, became one of our nation's finest high school band directors. Alfred Watkins talks about growing up and going to school in Jackson, Georgia and how he built the nationally acclaimed Lassiter High School Band program. He continues to make a difference in the band directing world through his work as a clinician, guest conductor and by serving as the President of the Minority Band Directors National Association....
Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser talks about the important role a teacher plays in a child's experience and discusses the new Essential Elements Band Talk podcast that has recently been released. Composer Willie Owens shares how he got the bug to own a Corvette and chats about the influence teachers made in his life and his wish to be able to have one more conversation with Vaclav Nelhybel.
Allan McMurray's career includes 35 years as Chair of the Conducting Faculty and Director of Bands at the University of Colorado-Boulder. Having only played the trumpet in his high school orchestra, this pre-law major's love of music led him to a career that has had a profound impact on band directors of all levels. He is a conductor, clinician and teacher par excellence, and the experiences Allan shares provides us a clear vision into a man who has a passion for music and for music making....
Paul Lavender, Internationally known and respected composer and arranger and Vice President of Instrumental Publications at Hal Leonard shares the story of growing up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. From copying parts for Ken Snoeck while an undergrad at Central Michigan University to working with John Williams and the President's Own, The United States Marine Band, Paul's story is one of the good that comes when you are willing to pay your dues. Informative, Entertaining and Inspiring....
Stan Schoonover of Fairfax County, VA talks about turning down a science scholarship to become a band director and Bob Buckner of Waynesville, NC shares his story of a $50 per semester scholarship he received to pursue his dream. Two great band directors who had incredible careers offer a look at what led them to be so successful. They are living proof that hard work and persistence makes all the difference in the world.
Jerry Hoover takes us through his 50-plus year career. From his days as a student at Drury College to becoming the Director of Bands at Southwest Missouri State University, Jerry shares his secrets of success: hard work, a can-do attitude, being a good musician, loving teaching, bringing music to the people, and being creative. This is an enjoyable conversation you will not want to miss.
Dr. Danielle Gaudry, Associate Professor of Music and Director of Bands at Cal State East Bay shares her story. Influenced by a father who played guitar and could not read music, Danielle's journey is fascinating and highlights the fact that there is no "right" way for students to start their musical journeys. Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser and Charlie chat about ways directors should prepare for fall classes.
Kevin Lepper provides some strategies to get your percussionists ready for the fall, including marching band and the year in total. Dr. Bruce Moss, Director of Bands at Bowling Green (OH) State University and Conductor of the Wheaton (IL) Municipal Band shares his story and provides some history and insights on the Wheaton Band's 90 years as a community treasure.
Glen Schneider of Metea Valley High School hopes to inspire students to learn and repeatedly asks them "Why Music?" Scott Teeple, Director of Bands at the University of Wisconsin - Madison stresses the human side of band directing. In addition to knowing the score and being an excellent musician, the conductor must allow themselves to be vulnerable, knowing their students will not take risks until they do as well.
