Almost Everything I've Learned About Teaching Band
Quick and easy tips to help you be a better band teacher.
- Update frequency
- every 8 days
- Average duration
- 10 minutes
- Episodes
- 327
- Years Active
- 2014 - 2025
Episode 70: Interview with Greg Martin, author of "Marching Band Techniques"
This book can be used as an accompanying text for the collegiate marching band techniques course and to help build a successful marching band program at a high school.
To…
Episode 69: What To Do The Last Two Weeks Of School
You just had your final concert but there are still two weeks left at school. What do you do now? Don't make the mistake I made early in my career and have no plan. Now is the time to try a few diffe…
Episode 68: Successful Differentiation In The Music Classroom
Many of us have learned to differentiate for special needs students, but did you know gifted students also need differentiation? In this episode, experienced music educator and music supervisor shar…
Episode 67: 5 Tips For A More Efficient Rehearsal
Have you ever felt like you stunk as a teacher? I have 18 years experience and recently I felt this way. One of my colleagues came for a visit. He gave me some tips afterwards and pointed out some th…
Episode 66: The Joy of Teaching in a Rural School 2; interview with Karen Gregg
Where can three degrees in bassoon performance take you? Sometimes to exciting and unexpected places like teaching music in a rural public school. Join me as I have a conversation with Karen Gregg ab…
Episode 65: How To Properly Use Festival Warm Up Time
When I was a young director, I thought the thirty minutes they gave us to warm up was too long. I just didn't know what to do. Now I fill those thirty minutes quickly and wish I had more. I share my …
Episode 64 - Interview with Jan Church
Have you taught for 30 years or have you taught your first year 30 times? There is a difference! Jane and I discuss the importance of longevity in a band program and how you can stay fresh in a 30 ye…
Episode 63: 11 Ways To Lose A Band Student (and 11 Ways To Keep Them)
It's the little things that make the difference. In this podcast I share 11 things we sometimes do (or fail to do) that cause us to lose a student.
We often get the music right, but fail at the relat…
Episode 62: What To Do If You Don't Have A Bass Player in Jazz Band
A Bass Player and Percussionist are absolutely essential to making a jazz band or combo sound good. You can make almost any combination of instruments work. There are good percussionists almost every…
Episode 61: Get Organized and Save TIME
Would you believe me if I told you my work area is clean and clutter free? What if I told you it was easy (it's not)?
Putting in some time on the front end to get your work area organized can save yo…
Episode 60: Proper Eating and Fitness for Band Directors
If you're like me, you have often struggled with eating properly while teaching.
About 10 years ago, I weighed 30 pounds more than I do right now. Did the two packages of M&Ms every day have anythin…
Episode 59 - Tips For Teaching Jazz Band
In this podcast, I share tips and strategies for teaching jazz band, from how to balance your rhythm section, how to add a bass player, and what length wind players should play their notes.
Episode 58: 4 Important Things To Say To Your Students (Or Anyone)
Our words have power! In this podcast, I share four powerful things we can say to our students that will lift them up (and a few words to avoid).
Episode 57 - 5 Free Things You Can Do Today To Improve Your Class
5 Ideas you can implement today for NO cost that will dramatically improve the climate of your classroom. Try them.
(a repeat of) Episode 35: You CAN constitutionally have a Christmas concert in a public school
Are schools allowed to have Christmas concerts? Can you wish your students "Merry Christmas?" Can one put up a nativity scene or Christmas tree on public property? These are all questions answered in…
Episode 56: Stop Comparing
It's easy to fall into the trap of comparing what you do with what other band directors are doing. Are you doing that? Take Newhart's advice...Just Stop It!
Episode 55: Why Marching Band Is Needed Now More Than Ever Before
When I started at my current school, I was determined NOT to have a Marching Band. My mentor convinced me otherwise. Listen as I share three reasons why Marching Band Is Needed Now More Than Ever.
Episode 54: Interview with Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser on Student Leadership
Did you know 10% of students are good leaders, 80% are followers and 10% are bad leaders?
Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser and I discuss this and other important topics centered around student leadership, some…
Episode 53: Throw Practice Sheets in the Trash
Why you should throw practice sheets away and aim for a systematic, progressive test of skills for your music students.
Episode 52: Starting A Booster Organization
Tips for starting your own band booster organization, and avoid the HUGE mistake I made!