Band Talk is Back

Hal Leonard , the world's largest sheet music and music education publisher, and music innovators Muse Group, launch MuseClass , an assignment, grading, and music content platform set to transform instrumental teaching (grade 6-12) in the U.S. MuseClass allows music educators and band directors to share, collect, and grade assignments on an easy-to-use platform, which also contains a curated libra...

Jim was raised in Winnipeg , Manitoba and graduated from Silver Heights Collegiate in 1984. That same year his quintet won top high school combo in Canada and he was selected lead tenor in the Canadian High School All Star Jazz Ensemble. His school band directors were Wilfred Jones and Jim Mackay. In June 1986, he was profiled in DOWNBEAT magazine as a young musician deserving of wider recognition...

John Armato is a Senior Partner and Creative Strategist for Fleishman Hillard, a Global PR and Marketing Agency.  John was a percussionist in his high school band and over 40 years later, music is still a vital part of his life.  In addition to his professional career, John still performs, has recorded and produced his own album, "The Drummer Loves Ballads" and has a jazz radio show, "The A List w...

Professor John Whitwell, who retired as professor of music and director of MSU Bands, has distinguished himself in the field of music as an educator, clinician, conductor, adjudicator, and author. He earned an associate degree from Rochester College (formerly known as Michigan Christian College), a bachelor's degree in music education from Abilene Christian University, and a master of music degree...

A dear friend of Charlie's returns to the program after a couple of years.  Together in Fargo, North Dakota for the Raging Red Band Festival, Charlie caught up with John a couple of weeks after the event to catch up on life and talk about all things band.

Steve Peterson, Director of Bands (Retired) at the University of Illinois shares his journey from learning the piano to ending up leading one of the most prestigious band programs in the country.  Steve has not forgotten his roots, nor those who served as mentors throughout his education and career.  This is a conversation you will not want to miss.

Dr. Rick Fleming, Director of Bands at SUNY's - Buffalo State University campus talks about his beginnings as a trombone player, and the steps that led him to his current position.  Rick also shares a wonderful question posed by his Ph. D. conducting professor, Dr. James Croft.  

Dr. Andrea DeRenzis Strauss is Conductor of the Tara Winds and is the retired Director of Bands at the Georgia Institute of Technology.  An accomplished musician and conductor alike, Andrea Strauss holds the Women Band Directors International Scroll of Excellence among the many honor and awards she has received throughout her career.

Dr. Warren Olfert, Director of Bands at North Dakota State University highlights his journey from growing up in Glascow, Montana to becoming Director of Bands at NDSU.  We chat about some of the issues directors face when preparing a group for a festival performance, repertoire being performed and a whole lot more.

Band Talk with Charlie Menghini and Friends returns thanks to a blizzard that cancelled day one of the Raging Red Band Festival, in Fargo, North Dakota.   In an effort to provide some information to the directors who didn't get a chance to participate, along with the general listening audience, you will hear this, the first of a six-part podcast featuring the administrators of the festival as well...

Retired Colonel Thomas Palmatier shares what drew him to join the military and reflects on his more than 37 years in the United States Army where he served in a wide array of assignments including Leader and Commander of the United States Army Band "Pershing's Own."  Since retirement, Palmatier has kept very active and has recently been named Editor of School Band and Orchestra Magazine.

Tom Merrill spent the first 10 years of his career as a band director and the past 20 years in the festival and travel business.  Tom provides great insights and information if you are considering traveling with your group.

It all started when his junior high school band director told his dad that he thought Ted would make a great band director.  Who knew that 50 plus years later he would have degrees in music education, music performance and law. With experience in the music industry, Ted Piechocinski is now director of one of the finest college music business programs in the nation and author of a comprehensive boo...

With over 600 titles to his credit, Jay Bocook is one of America's finest and most trusted band composers and arrangers.  From his days as a student with the Largo (FL) Band of Gold to returning to his Alma Mater, Furman University as Director of Bands, Jay's story is one of hard work, discipline and determination.

Dr. Ken Dye shares his journey from a student in California to becoming the Director of Bands at the University of Notre Dame.  Dr. Dye talks about the role the band plays in preparing his students for their life after college.

Les Taylor and Charlie have a conversation on the importance of listening to music and the need to create dedicated time to help expand our musical palettes.  

John Armato makes his second visit to the podcast to talk about all that went into his CD,  The Drummer Loves Ballads .  It's a fascinating story, one you will enjoy.   Dr. Heidi Kay Begay and Dr. Garrett Hope share what to expect with the Ultimate Music Business Summit coming up January 6 - 8, 2022.  

Paul Murtha served as Chief Arranger for "Pershing's Own," The United States Army Band from 2001 to 2016.  Today, he continues writing and has over 600 published works to his credit.  Since his first theory class with his high school band director, Paul Murtha shares an interesting journey that has led him to become a national treasure in the band arranging world.

As a little kid, Mike Lawson loved to sing.  Then a friend's father changed his life by teaching him his first four guitar chords.  His love for music grew but he only had a limited path in traditional school music ensembles. Mike dropped out of high school and started playing in bands.  Today, as publisher of SBO, Jazz Ed, Choral Director and MME Magazines, Mike hopes to provide content to help t...

George Hattendorf, retired director of bands at Mountain Ridge High School, Phoenix, AZ talks about his 47 plus year career and offers that band directors have two choices....stand on the sideline and complain or get involved and be a part of the change.  George chose the latter for all the right reasons and in doing so, offered his students lifetime experiences.  

In part 2 of our conversation, Greg Bimm, Director of Bands at Marian Catholic High School talks concert band, score study, the importance of the impact on our actions and decisions on everyone else and so much more.

Greg Bimm is in his 44th year at Marian Catholic High School where he has developed a nationally recognized program.  In part one of this two part podcast, Greg talks about how his father laid the groundwork for his work ethic and commitment, the influence his high school band director had on him, how student teaching helped put things into perspective and how he has worked to develop the Marian C...

Dr. Andrew Chybowski, Director of Bands, Pittsburg State University (KS) had his career path set when, at his first elementary band concert, he got to wear sunglasses and the director had a fog machine and laser lights.  Today he works to balance pedagogy and artistry in his teaching and is intent to get students to realize they have a lot more creative control in the music making process.  Great...

"Music is more than playing in a band rehearsal every day."  During the pandemic, Chris and his music teacher colleagues created a series of four-week short courses students could take in addition to their ensembles to learn more about music. He also took an idea from one of his students and developed a summer jazz mentoring program.  Oh, and did I mention his jazz ensemble has received nine invit...

This Indiana boy went to college and ended up teaching with his old high school band director, the legendary Al Castronovo in Chesterton, IN.  While there, Jim met his wife who was from the Netherlands and decided to relocate, becoming the band director at the American School in the Hague.  Jim looks back on a stellar career and his story highlights what it is like to teach band in such a culture-...