Almost Everything I've Learned About Teaching Band

I once gave out gobs of candy to students right before they were to perform. I don't recommend that, but find out why I did that and join me as we explore the keys to creating a positive, productive, and inspiring environment for young musicians. From building trust and fostering teamwork to encouraging excellence and creativity, this podcast offers practical tips, heartfelt stories, and expert ad...

Episode 279 - Mastering Music Education: Is a Master's Degree Worth It for Teachers? Getting my master's degree was one of the best things I did! I was about 14 years into my career. Some of my classmates had just completed their bachelor's degrees. I don't think they got as much out of it as I did (I could tell by their responses in class discussion). There are affordable options out there that w...

Episode 278 - 7 Things I Wish I Knew Earlier In My Career Get To Know The Secretaries, Play Nice With Other Teachers,  Go Home At The End Of Your Contract Day; When a student quits, don't take it personally; AND MORE Resources… Jazz From The Start - Jazz and improvisation curriculum you can use as soon as students know 5 notes Get the book Almost Everything I've Learned About Teaching Band Have a...

Episode 277 - I Have My First Parade - What Do I Do Whether it's a Christmas parade or a parade next spring, these tips will help you train your band for that first parade. Resources… Jazz From The Start - Jazz and improvisation curriculum you can use as soon as students know 5 notes Get the book  Almost Everything I've Learned About Teaching Band Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter...

Resources… Jazz From The Start - Jazz and improvisation curriculum you can use as soon as students know 5 notes 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.     Check Out "Why Don't They Teach That in School curriculum Ten Tips To Save 5 Hours This Week and Every Week eBook Compl...

Resources… Jazz From The Start - Jazz and improvisation curriculum you can use as soon as students know 5 notes 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.     Check Out "Why Don't They Teach That in School curriculum Ten Tips To Save 5 Hours This Week and Every Week eBook Compl...

Resources… Jazz From The Start - Jazz and improvisation curriculum you can use as soon as students know 5 notes 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.     Check Out "Why Don't They Teach That in School curriculum Ten Tips To Save 5 Hours This Week and Every Week eBook Compl...

Resources… Jazz From The Start - Jazz and improvisation curriculum you can use as soon as students know 5 notes 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.     Check Out "Why Don't They Teach That in School curriculum Ten Tips To Save 5 Hours This Week and Every Week eBook Compl...

Resources… Jazz From The Start - Jazz and improvisation curriculum you can use as soon as students know 5 notes 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.     Check Out "Why Don't They Teach That in School curriculum Ten Tips To Save 5 Hours This Week and Every Week eBook Compl...

Resources… Jazz From The Start - Jazz and improvisation curriculum you can use as soon as students know 5 notes 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.     Check Out "Why Don't They Teach That in School curriculum Ten Tips To Save 5 Hours This Week and Every Week eBook Compl...

Resources… Jazz From The Start - Jazz and improvisation curriculum you can use as soon as students know 5 notes 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.     Check Out "Why Don't They Teach That in School curriculum Ten Tips To Save 5 Hours This Week and Every Week eBook Compl...

Episode 276 - Three Ps To Keeping Order In Rehearsal Get off the Podium - Keep your Pacing fast and interesting - Insist on 100% Participation every student, every day. Resources… Jazz From The Start - Jazz and improvisation curriculum you can use as soon as students know 5 notes Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here:  jamesthedivine@gmail....

Episode 275 - How Can I Remember Everything I'm Supposed To Do - 2 minute episode It's time to get organized! Resources… Jazz From The Start - Jazz and improvisation curriculum you can use as soon as students know 5 notes 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.     Check Out...

Episode 274 - Work and Life Balance You CAN have a successful band program AND a balanced life. I married my HS sweetheart. We raised 4 kids while I was teaching band, and now we have 10 grandkids (and counting). We have been married 37 years. Join me as I share some ways you can achieve this balance. Resources… Jazz From The Start - Jazz and improvisation curriculum you can use as soon as student...

Episode 273 - I Burned Out Twice, But It Can Be Avoided - 2 minute episode Burnout! A tip to avoid it. Resources… Jazz From The Start - Jazz and improvisation curriculum you can use as soon as students know 5 notes 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.   Check Out "Why Don...

Episode 272 - Practice Tips Have you wondered just how to work through those songs - especially if they contain runs? Here are some practical tips. Just make sure to avoid the BIG LIE about practicing. Resources… Jazz From The Start - Jazz and improvisation curriculum you can use as soon as students know 5 notes Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contac...

Episode 271 - Connect With Positive Teachers - 2 minute episode   If there are toxic teachers in the faculty lounge, avoid it like the plague!!!!!   Resources…   Jazz From The Start - Jazz and improvisation curriculum you can use as soon as students know 5 notes   Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here:  jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4...

Episode 270 - Tips To Emphasize Good Tone All The Time   I once had a colleague - a feeder of my school - who stated, "You know what, I'm not going to worry too much about tone, posture, and all those other things. I know you can fix that when they come to you. I want them to have fun." In a way, he had a good point, but why can't you do both?   In this episode I share a plethora of tips that will...

Episode 269 - No Apology Sick Days - 2 minute episode   It's difficult to take sick days when you're a teacher. This is a time when it's better to think long term. I had a student almost force me to take a sick day. I took her advice and felt much better.   Resources…   Jazz From The Start - Jazz and improvisation curriculum you can use as soon as students know 5 notes   Have a question for the po...

Episode 268 - Discipline Techniques and Tips There's no single technique that will work every single time in every single classroom - Covid teaching showed us that - but there are many techniques you can put in your bag that can be highly effective. I share a few in this episode.   Resources…   Jazz From The Start - Jazz and improvisation curriculum you can use as soon as students know 5 notes   H...

Episode 267 - The Importance of First Impressions and Relationships - 2 minute episode Every other week will be a shorter - usually less than 2 minute - episode. In this episode, I talk about Zoe and why she said my 5th period class - on the first day of school - was the first one she was glad to be in. Resources… Jazz From The Start - Jazz and improvisation curriculum you can use as soon as stude...

Episode 266 - What To Do the First Week of School Would you believe I suggest you NOT get started teaching music right away? If you don't get these strategies and procedures in place from the start, there will be more time wasted throughout the year. Other helpful resources Jazz From The Start - Jazz and improvisation curriculum you can use as soon as students know 5 notes Have a question for the...

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Episode 265 - What To Do the Last 2 Weeks of School It's important to keep the students engaged even after the final concert. Here are some strategies. 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 don...

Episode 263 - 11 Tips To Make The Music Sound Better Are you stuck on what to work on to improve the music? In this episode, I share 11 tips that you can use to help your group sound better. 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...