Almost Everything I've Learned About Teaching Band

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), don't you think the same can apply to students? You do have to learn to develop a hard shell. Here are some strategies that will make it easier - but to be honest - the pain never completely goes aw...

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 strategies are foolproof, but this has worked for EVERY student I have had, except for three stubborn knuckleheads who I get to use as an example from seven years ago. Make your concerts into even hap...

Relationship is really important to retention and recruiting, but you can also plan and organize some fun musical events that will improve retention. Here are 8 ideas that have worked for me and other directors.

What should you do if a student drops the "f" bomb? I'm working on an app that would deliver a strong electric shock to any student who does this, but until that is perfected, here are some strategies to help you deal with them.

Tuning is one of the hardest tasks to teach and accomplish, especially for a brand new teacher. You can and will get better at it, but it's not an event...it's a lifestyle. Some tips to help you in the process.

It drives me crazy when I hear weird pronunciation of the Italian terms we use in music! Maybe because for many years I mispronounced them. Here's a quick guide to help you on your way. Ciao.

Many times, High School band directors are quick to put the blame on their middle school. Often they have not even met their middle school director. I am fortunate to work with an outstanding director who is also my assistant director for the high school marching band. We collaborate often. I started my career as the 4th-12th grade band director at a small private school. I was my own feeder! Thes...

When I started at my current position in 2005, I inherited a stack of music three feet tall that was mostly SINGLE sheets of music that had not been filed. The school was first opened in the 1970s. It seemed like nobody had organized the library ever! It took me the entire school year, but I was finally able to get that all organized and now have a system in place that is easy to maintain.

Have you ever wondered how to get a bunch of groups to perform in a short amount of time? I remember when my two oldest kids were in high school. The concerts were great, but they seemed to drag on as the stage crew set each chair exactly in place between each group. I didn't care about the chairs! Incorporating some advice from friend and fellow band teacher Wayne Hoey, this past May my spring co...

Being a great conductor does not make one a great clinician. Besides having a lot of music knowledge, a great clinician will be a people person, adaptable and have the ability to inspire. Join me as I share some tips on how to be a great  guest clinician.

I learned a long time ago that there's no way my brain can remember everything I need to do. I created what I call a "Yearly Task List" to help me remember what I need to get done and WHEN I need to get it done. This list gets revised each year as I add or take away responsibilities (or realize that I am missing something). I print it out at the start of the year and actually go through the list,...

Did you know many of our top marching bands in the country are under what's called the 8 hour rule. They are only allowed to spend 8 hours a week practicing their marching band show. How do they do it? With efficiency! In this episode I interview marching band judge and clinician Andy Brady. Find out more about him at www.andybrady.net. 

As a professional sax player myself, I am sometimes deeply disturbed by what I hear coming from the sax section, even in my own band! But it doesn't have to be that way. In this episode I share 8 tips that will help your students to have a better sax sound.

The main thing we do...fixing the music! How do we get better at that? In this episode, I share 14 tips that I have learned over the years, including an acronym from the Army Band (DIAC) and what NOT to use as a rehearsal technique, a technique used frequently by one of my band commanders. Also listen to Episode 40 to find out more about the function chorales mentioned in this podcast.

I take a slight turn in this podcast and answer a few listener questions. I hope to do more of these. If you would like to submit a question, please go to the contact page at www.jamesdivine.net and send your question. Joel writes...I've been teaching awhile with the program growing stagnant. Do I need to move on? If not, how do I pull it out of the rut? Or can a program only become "so good." An...

Like me you probably think you don't have time to run a Tri-M chapter. I'm here to tell you you don't not have time! A 2-hour investment per month can yield hundreds of hours of influence. It's simple and not expensive. Go to the Nafme website to find out how to start a chapter in three easy steps. They have a ton of resources for you:  http://www.nafme.org/programs/tri-m-music-honor-society/

In my younger days, I didn't have a plan for preparing myself for a concert (besides the music). It ultimately led to a few - shall we say - uneasy rumblings while on stage. I have developed a routine that works for me to prepare me physically, mentally and emotionally for each concert.

What is a teacher to do when he has to be gone and the sub knows nothing about music! Have the students lead the rehearsal...after all, they probably know more than the sub. A student led rehearsal is different than having a student conduct. Nobody conducts in a student led rehearsal. The students collaborate. I stole this idea from Dr. Menghini of Vandercook College of Music , who presented a ses...

Join me as I interview Bill Swick - master guitar teacher. We dig into several strategies for how to effectively teach guitar, especially if you are a band teacher. When I started at my current school 12 years ago, I had no experience as a guitar teacher. I must confess that in the back of my mind I planned on getting rid of the guitar class as soon as I could. How dumb I was! Guitar draws in a wh...

In this episode, I share some tips regarding when I schedule marching band related dates. Our first one - to pick our marching show for next year - is already coming up!

In this episode, I share a quick strategy that will give you up-loadable evidence to show that you are incorporating writing and math into your curriculum. The best thing about it is that it is probably something you are already doing! 

In this episode, James brings on his twin brother - who is a college professor - to provide instruction on how to practice. Professor Jimmy is fun to listen to, but even more fun to watch. Watch here...

  Order the book on amazon 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. Topics include everything from developing a program handbook to student leadership and adult staffing, budgets, rehearsal techniques, sample forms, and basic information regarding the development process o...

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 different things while still holding the students to high expectations. Listen to find out more.