After Sectionals

In this episode we discuss skills that can be taught by going backwards in the book.

In this episode we abandon our topic plans to rant about numbers.

In this episode we talk about way of achieving success without talking about ratings. 

In this special episode I am joined by friend and colleague Robert Herrings from our sister school Henry Middle School in Leander ISD. We talk about our time working the GMEA Middle School All State Bands as well as what high expectations LOOKS like in our band halls.  Hint hint: it's not yelling, tears, and hating band.

In this episode we discuss what we believe IS the curriculum for a beginner band class, how to recognize what should fit into your official curriculum, and how to use the book for what is actually is - a tool for synthesis!

In this episode we talk about daily sequencing, skill sequencing, and programmatic sequencing.

In this episode Darcy and Jenna talk about how we have been implementing some of the skills we've discussed in our own band hall over the last week.

In this episode we talk about teaching intonation from the most basic level to note by note manipulation.

In this episode we give a sneak peak into the last stretch and final decisions pre-Midwest performance! This episode is sponsored by  Kaleidoscope Adventures.

In this episode Darcy, Jenna, and TJ talk about the thoughts guiding their programming for the spring. Spoiler: Honors Band will not be playing Lincolnshire Posy this year… This episode is sponsored by  Kaleidoscope Adventures.

In this episode we discuss why it is so important to go through all of "the steps" when teaching beginners new music using fancy edu-speak terms like "differentiation" and "because it works". This episode is sponsored by  Kaleidoscope Adventures.

In this episode we talk about a variety of ways to incorporate isolated mouthpiece work into your classes, regardless the level of the player. This episode is sponsored by  Kaleidoscope Adventures.

In this episode we discuss when a class or a skill is not going well and deciding what your next step should be. This episode is sponsored by  Kaleidoscope Adventures.

In this episode we talk about checkpoints we should all be watching for not only in our beginner classes but with our advanced kids as well. In this episode we talk about a bass clarinet neck you can buy to recreate the angle of a regular clarinet on the bass. The one we referenced is called the Charles Bay neck. A quick search on Google tells me they are not as easy to come by as they were 10 yea...

In this episode we discuss the task that never ends: articulation. We talk about intro'ing articulation to our beginners as well as what we are doing in our full ensembles to address tongue strength, placement, and pressure. This episode is sponsored by  Kaleidoscope Adventures.

In this episode we discuss the many delights of Concert F as a tool in your band hall and many of the ways you would hear this tool utilized daily with our own students.   This episode is sponsored by Kaleidoscope Adventures. When it's time for you to travel, they'll be ready. Let's go there! https://www.kaleidoscopeadventures.com/

In this episode we intro our new "Nuts & Bolts" season with a recap of how our first week went. Starting with episode 601 you can expect very specific topic episodes as all of us start wrapping our minds around Real Band again. This episode is sponsored by  Kaleidoscope Adventures.

In this episode we talk about a few of the ways we are looking to reinvent our band program to preserve some of what we have learned in 2020.

In this episode we talk to Brian Balmages about his new piece (our Midwest commission) "Unknown".

In this episode we talk about some of the great things happening in our program, some of the stinky, and other nonsense.

In this episode we talk about things to focus on if you are still in college or early in your teaching career that will benefit your band hall.

In this episode we verbal vomit about the craziness of our Texas snow storm plus brainstorm about solo contest.

In this episode we talk anecdotally about the lack of ear training we are discovering through online band.

In this episode we talk about some of the strategies we use to keep a healthy pace in our classes with students divided across homes and the band hall.