Almost Everything I've Learned About Teaching Band

If this is the problem you have at your school, count your blessings! In this episode I discuss some tips on what you might do. Whatever you do, DON'T haphazardly throw old trophies away. You might b…

This episode is just for fun. Have you ever suffered from foot in mouth disease, when you either say something embarrassing or say something you never thought you would! That often happens to me. Som…

I think the big mistake we make when trying to motivate students to practice is to think they are just like we were when we were their age.

We've talked about student etiquette in concerts, but how about when it's the audience members who are the problem! You CAN change the culture. No one said it would be easy.

I'm not talking about adapting so much in this episode. Most of us can use our creativity and figure out something to make it work. This is mostly about how to incorporate students with severe needs …

I strongly dislike this response. Sometimes it comes from ignorance, sometimes from a need for sympathy, and other times out of laziness.

Do you ever just want to RUN AWAY after posting audition results? Hope these tips help to make it less uncomfortable.

Back in the day, teachers were always believed and respected. Now, many students and parents get their feelings hurt, especially when we are trying to set high standards for our groups. How do we set…

If your jazz band is like mine, it’s filled with some of the most creative and ENERGETIC students in the school. They never get in serious trouble, but if I don’t keep them occupied and doing someth…

I started my career utilizing practice sheets, but dropped them shortly after arriving at my current position. Are they useful? Are they a waste of time? In this podcast, I share some thoughts from …

We all know directors who have burned out teaching marching band. Some flee from the thought of ever teaching it again. However, I think with a few changes in our philosophy, we can have successful m…

It’s bad enough when we are bullied by a boss or superior, but what do we do if a fellow teacher is bullying us? This is a difficult situation to deal with, especially if you are a young teacher and …

I have only left one teaching position. Telling my students was one of the hardest things I have had to do! It’s never easy, but hopefully these tips will lessen the pain.

We have all had our share of poisonous students. Do we cut them out like a cancer and get rid of them, or do we try and work patiently with them? The answer isn’t always clear cut.

I'm not talking about you the teacher, but the student. I personally want to quit at least once a month, despite having spent 20 years in this wonderful field. If we have this desire (and get over it…

In my early years of teaching, it was chaos with my students who were waiting their turn to perform. I knew something had to change, so I developed a strategy that has been effective for 10 years. No…