The Growing Band Director

Clark Terry was the most influencial jazz educator in history, and his music and message are being kept alive by Chris Humphrey in his albums The Voice of Clark Terry Vol 1 and Vol 2. These albums take the solos and melodies of Clark Terry and put them to lyrics (by lyricist Les Harris Jr.) and recorded by a world class rhythm section and 7 trumpet players that Clark Terry had an impact on. This d...

Kyle's high school band director, mentor and friend, Craig Skeffington is known worldwide as a composer of great jazz ensemble music. Craig sits down to share some of his charts (complete with score and sound.). We also have a wide ranging conversation covering topics from starting at a program as a new teacher, to using your own personal strengths as your best way to model for your students,...

Anne and Ben Chambers are a husband/wife team of band directors who co-teach grades 7-12 at Light of Christ Catholic Schools in Bismark, ND. They join Kyle and Krystle (also a husband and wife team of band directors) for a conversation surrounding co-teaching, balancing teaching with being a parent, running a cohesive program that spans multiple schools, and so much more! To gain access to all sho...

Travis Weller (Messiah University) is a composer and educator. He joins the show to share so much wisdom for our profession, and we listen to some of his spectacular music that you can perform with your students. Travis J Weller To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patreon - using the button at the top of thegrowingban...

Joe Wright has taught every grade of music from K-Collegiate. He joins the show for a conversation about his choice to be an elementary band director - why this choice is right for him - and qualities that are needed to be a teacher of elementary band. To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patreon - using the button at...

Rick Stitzel is one of the best writers and arrangers for jazz ensemble that we have. He joins the show to share his experiences and charts. Featured are arrangements of great standard tunes for your jazz ensemble as well as original works available through ⁠ Rickstitzelmusic.com⁠ To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on P...

Philip Walters is a middle school band director in Anchorage, Alaska. He joins the show to discuss the age level that is middle school - how to teach them and what to expect from them. As a Make Music Cloud user (formally known as Smart Music) he walks us through ways that he uses it with his classroom. A wide ranging conversation covering so many band topics! To gain access to all show notes and...

A veteran teacher and mentor to many in Fairfax County (VA) and beyond, Linda Gammon joins the show to unpack some of the keys to help your young band sound truly superior! To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patreon - using the button at the top of thegrowingbanddirector.com Our mission is to share practical  advice...

Rob Westerberg appeared on the show in 2023 in an episode entitled 98 - Teaching Analytically where he discusses the benefits of teaching your students to think analytically. This time he returns to unpack even more from this approach, as well as discuss the role of conductor vs teacher and so many ways we can grow as music teachers. To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscrib...

From Bossa and Samba to Cha Cha Cha, Bolero, Rumba, Mambo, Son Montuno and Merengque Michele Fernandez joins us to help band directors teach Afro-Latin Jazz Music more effectively. We learn which countries each style originates from, study characteristics in each one, and listen to examples from Michele's music. This episode is also available in short segments by style on The Growing Band Dire...

Every band program has every level of musician and engagement within the student body. The best way to engage the most amount of students at a high level is to offer a wide range of ensembles within your program to cater to every type of student in your band program. Eddie Otto teaches at Unionville HS (PA) and shares his vision and what led him to these core beliefs. To gain access to all show no...

Whether you are starting your band director career, or it is your first year at a new school, there are many challenges - as well as opportunities - that come with it. Reed Bailey ( baileyr@vailschooldistrict.org ) is the Director of Bands at Cienega High School (AZ) and shares many strategies to maximizing the potential within your new program! Stay tuned to the end where Kyle and Reed both share...

The music of Duke Ellington is not only some of the best American music in history, it is filled with soulfulness and sophistication. It is available to students with very little experience. In working on this music your students will be studying history, studying music and studying some of the best of humanity. Each piece includes a recording, and for those watching - a score and sound video - as...

Quincy Jones Interviews Aaron Copland! Quincy Hilliard-Composer is such a great composer! We talked about so many things including his time with Aaron Copland, getting a young band to sound their best, and featured many score and sound videos of some of his Young Band works! What a joy to speak with! To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supp...

I was honored to meet with one of the most influential band directors in the country- the great Scott Rush! We spent and hour discussing many aspects from the Habits Series of method books and band director guide paperback books, as well as things he did while at the Wando Bands to grow the culture and the program- as well as what it really means as he looks back on it! To gain access to all show...

Dr. Timothy Mahr is Professor Emeritus at St. Olaf College, and a prolific composer for wind band. Dr Mahr joins the podcast for a conversation that encompasses advice for young composers, discussion of ways we can improve our bands as a conductor, and a focus on some of his music! Highlighted is Etched in Stone , Commissioned by Kyle Smith and the Westbrook High School Wind Ensemble for the 50th...

Of Endless Miles of Empty Rafts is the 2024 CBDNA Young Band Composition Winner, and gives your band a chance to perform authentic afro-latin music with your Concert Band! In this video Composer Michele Fernandez and Kyle Smith of the Growing Band Director Podcast get together to explain the history behind the piece, the format of how it is constructed, and key components to preparing it in an aut...

The music of Count Basie is essential to any jazz education, so we bring you sound and score recordings of 9 essential charts for young bands (Grade 1-2.5). Learn some history about each chart along the way! To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patreon - using the button at the top of thegrowingbanddirector.com Our mis...

A great ballad can be a great vehicle for your students to learn so many concepts, but they have to be ready to work on a ballad, and they have to have music that fits them. In today's contemporary band room, the percussion section is an integral part of any band. These pieces will show you some options for music to play with all of your students, even the percussionists! To gain access to all...

A great ballad can be a great vehicle for your students to learn so many concepts, but they have to be ready to work on a ballad, and they have to have music that fits them. In today's contemporary band room, the percussion section is an integral part of any band. These pieces will show you some options for music to play with all of your students, even the percussionists! To gain access to all...

Making Joy Your Tonal Center with Matthew Arau To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patreon - using the button at the top of thegrowingbanddirector.com Our mission is to share practical  advice and explore topics that will help every band director, no matter your experience level, as well as music education students wh...

Weapons of Brass Destruction Learn keys to starting and improving your brass players! Aaron Rex and Johnnie Green are part of the team for Mason Schools in Mason, OH (one of the most outstanding school programs in the country.). Their approach works - and they are presenting this topic at Midwest 2024! The Comfy Strap for Horn and Euphonium To gain access to all show notes and audio files please S...

Part 5 of a 5 Part Series - Today we explore the Merengue as well as Multi-style! Including example charts in each style for your band! In this series we explore specific styles of Afro-Latin Jazz - what makes them unique and what makes them similar. Each video has a uniform opening segment general set up, rehearsal techniques, and specifics needed for each style.

Part 4 of a 5 Part Series - Today we explore the Mambo and the Son Montuno (Salsa)! Including example charts in each style for your band! In this series we explore specific styles of Afro-Latin Jazz - what makes them unique and what makes them similar. Each video has a uniform opening segment general set up, rehearsal techniques, and specifics needed for each style.

Part 3 of a 5 Part Series - Today we explore the Bolero and Rumba! Including example charts in each style for your band! In this series we explore specific styles of Afro-Latin Jazz - what makes them unique and what makes them similar. Each video has a uniform opening segment general set up, rehearsal techniques, and specifics needed for each style. To gain access to all show notes and audio files...