Almost Everything I've Learned About Teaching Band

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.

Many of us have learned to differentiate for special needs students, but did you know gifted students also need differentiation? In this episode, experienced music educator and music supervisor shares a few strategies for differentiation.   Does this whet your appetite for more? Earn college credit and learn more this summer when Samantha teaches a 4-day seminar of the same title. Find out more an...

Have you ever felt like you stunk as a teacher? I have 18 years experience and recently I felt this way. One of my colleagues came for a visit. He gave me some tips afterwards and pointed out some things that I should know better about! I was embarrassed (but glad he pointed these things out). I took a good look in the mirror and immediately implemented some changes. Rehearsals have been more effi...

Where can three degrees in bassoon performance take you? Sometimes to exciting and unexpected places like teaching music in a rural public school. Join me as I have a conversation with Karen Gregg about the joy of teaching in a rural school, where Karen has a ton of community involvement, more flexibility, gets to know her students and has 40-45% of students in band.   Also check out Episode 41: T...

When I was a young director, I thought the thirty minutes they gave us to warm up was too long. I just didn't know what to do. Now I fill those thirty minutes quickly and wish I had more. I share my warm up process for festival and for most days in band. Link to the Breathing Gym Materials Link to Function Chorales by Stephen Melillo

Have you taught for 30 years or have you taught your first year 30 times? There is a difference! Jane and I discuss the importance of longevity in a band program and how you can stay fresh in a 30 year career.

It's the little things that make the difference. In this podcast I share 11 things we sometimes do (or fail to do) that cause us to lose a student. We often get the music right, but fail at the relationship. Incorporate these ideas and you will find yourself keeping more of your students. 

A Bass Player and Percussionist are absolutely essential to making a jazz band or combo sound good. You can make almost any combination of instruments work. There are good percussionists almost everywhere, but what do you do if you don't have a bass player? In this podcast I share several strategies for obtaining a decent bass player.

Would you believe me if I told you my work area is clean and clutter free? What if I told you it was easy (it's not)? Putting in some time on the front end to get your work area organized can save you precious time later, giving you more time to devote to what you really love...teaching music.