Almost Everything I've Learned About Teaching Band

This episode is a little different. I chat with fellow podcaster and band director Kyle Smith of The Growing Band Director podcast. We discuss several topics that can be of help to band directors. Subscribe to Kyle's podcast here . Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here:  jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. List of Speaking Topics.   w...

I burned out at 2 schools. I really struggled with learning balance. I finally discovered it at my 3rd school! In this episode I share 7 tips to help you find life balance. Avoid doing what I did! Link to Just Say No article. Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here:  jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. List of Speaking Topics.   www.jam...

Don't be afraid of incorporating string players into your band program. I'm not talking about starting kids on strings. This episode provides helpful hints when a string player moves in - with experience - and there is no string program in your school. Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here:  jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. List of...

Do you have problems with kids writing on the music stands? This episode can help. Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here:  jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. List of Speaking Topics.   www.jamesdivine.net Has the show benefited you? Would you consider a one time donation of any amount? Paypal   CashApp: $jazzysaxman Are you in need o...

You hear one of your colleagues is leaving, or a student has quit band and chose another class. How do you treat them? The short of it…the same. Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here:  jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. List of Speaking Topics.   www.jamesdivine.net Has the show benefited you? Would you consider a one time donation o...

Balance and Blend can seem difficult to teach, but these 5 tips will get you going in the right direction. And you'll be surprised at how much fixing balance and blend also fixes intonation. Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here:  jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. List of Speaking Topics.   www.jamesdivine.net Has the show benefited...

Deciding if it is time to leave is a very personal decision and not one to be taken lightly. Beware of receiving advice regarding this from people you don't know on social media. Best to talk to someone who is mostly going to ask you questions. I spent two years too long at my first two positions. Position number three was just right. Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professio...

I often had 5 groups perform 18 songs in less than 60 minutes. It can be done! This episode tells you how. Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here:  jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. List of Speaking Topics.   www.jamesdivine.net Has the show benefited you? Would you consider a one time donation of any amount? Paypal   CashApp: $jazzy...

Are there times in your career when it's best to move forward without asking permission? Yes, but do it cautiously.   Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here:  jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. List of Speaking Topics.   www.jamesdivine.net   Has the show benefited you? Would you consider a one time donation of any amount? Paypal   Ca...

Recently I competed in a triathlon. It consisted of a 1/2 mile swim, 17.2 mile bike ride, and 3.1 mile run. I learned several lessons that also apply to teaching music: Pace Yourself Take care of yourself Realize Your Weaknesses and Adapt Finish Well Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here:  jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. List of S...

There are things we learn by experience the hard way. You can be ahead of me and others by learning them through my experience.   Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here:  jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. List of Speaking Topics.   www.jamesdivine.net   Has the show benefited you? Would you consider a one time donation of any amount?...

I like to tell my students that it's easy to get an A in band, but it's not an easy A. An easy A means you get it just for showing up. Easy to get an A means you will work for it, but there's no reason you shouldn't be able to earn one.   Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here:  jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. List of Speaking Topi...

It takes just as much work to take a band from a 1 to a 7 as it does to take a band from a 9 to a 9.2, but the director of the latter will probably get more recognition. That's just a fact of life. Don't let that deter you from being persistent and continually working to improve. Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here:  jamesthedivine@gmail....

It's so easy to become jealous of other directors. I struggled with this for many years. I finally stopped (mostly) about 5 years ago. Here's hoping this will help you stop now. Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here:  jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. List of Speaking Topics. www.jamesdivine.net Has the show benefited you? Would you...

Having both beginners and intermediate students in the same class at the same time is not ideal, but it can be done. In this epiosde I share some tips on how you can make it work. Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here:  jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. Get my FREE TRAINING, 7 Tips To Save 5 Hours This Week and Every Week Subscribe...

When suggesting reeds for sax and clarinet players, should you choose Vandoren, Rico, some other brand? What strength reed should you start students on? What reed should you avoid? More tips on How To Prevent Your Saxes From Sounding Like Honking Geese Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here:  jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. Get my...

Do you struggle with staying organized? In this episode, I share some strategies that may be helpful... Creat a Beginning of Year Task List Aim for inbox zero Binders and clipboards are your friend And more... Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here:  jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193.   Get my FREE TRAINING, 7 Tips To Save 5 Hours Thi...

Remember Nancy Reagan's theme from the 1980s to Just Say No to drugs? She was made fun of, but it is an effective strategy. You may not struggle with drugs, but I bet you do struggle with saying no! When you say yes youre saying no to something else. Many miss the great doing the good Say NO to overtime so you can say YES to your family Say NO to overeating so you can say YES to a better quality l...

Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here:  jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193.   Need a music program software management system? Check out www.batonsync.com .   Get my FREE TRAINING, 7 Tips To Save 5 Hours This Week and Every Week   Subscribe in iTunes     Free Smooth Jazz Music   Multitude of links and resources here   Has the show ben...

Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here:  jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193.   Need a music program software management system? Check out www.batonsync.com .   Get my FREE TRAINING, 7 Tips To Save 5 Hours This Week and Every Week   Subscribe in iTunes     Free Smooth Jazz Music   Multitude of links and resources here   Has the show ben...

You have got to listen to this fantastic interview with Scott Watson! Scott is an experienced music teacher and composer. Besides his wonderful works like "Aesop's Fables: The Tortoise and the Hare, Extraordinary Machines of Clockwork and Steam," and more, Scott has created tons of FREE resources to aid in your teaching. Check out his works and his free materials at www.scottwatsonmusic.com  

Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here:  jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193.   Need a music program software management system? Check out www.batonsync.com .   Get my FREE TRAINING, 7 Tips To Save 5 Hours This Week and Every Week   Subscribe in iTunes     Free Smooth Jazz Music   Multitude of links and resources here   Has the show ben...

Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here:  jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193.   Need a music program software management system? Check out www.batonsync.com .   Get my FREE TRAINING, 7 Tips To Save 5 Hours This Week and Every Week   Subscribe in iTunes     Free Smooth Jazz Music   Multitude of links and resources here   Has the show ben...

Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here:  jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193.   Need a music program software management system? Check out www.batonsync.com .   Get my FREE TRAINING, 7 Tips To Save 5 Hours This Week and Every Week   Subscribe in iTunes     Free Smooth Jazz Music   Multitude of links and resources here   Has the show ben...

Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here:  jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193.   Need a music program software management system? Check out www.batonsync.com .   Get my FREE TRAINING, 7 Tips To Save 5 Hours This Week and Every Week   Subscribe in iTunes     Free Smooth Jazz Music   Multitude of links and resources here   Has the show ben...